Picking up the blade I used to slice his son’sthroat, I step up to the table. I don’t bother saying anything else as I slice Dr. Venn’s throat from one side to the other. Then I pick up a vial and hold it under his jaw until it’s full to the brim before securing the cap and pocketing the whole thing.
Alejandro and Paz are both standing behind me when I turn around. “Someone took a shot at Carlo and Jazzy. I want their fucking head now,” I grunt. “No one takes a shot at my fucking niece.”
I haven’t known the kid for long. She just recently turned up on Carlo’s doorstep with a note. But she’s his daughter, which makes her family. And honestly, she’s the sweetest fucking little girl I’ve ever met. I will do anything to protect her.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Skimming through a catalogue and circling items that I want to stock is a part of my job that I love the most. It’s been a quiet day in the store, but the lead-up to prom means I know the busy season is fast-approaching.
Staying on top of the latest fashion trends is a must. Like I said, I love it, though. It’s what I’ve missed about the pageant world after Ileft. The dresses, the glamor. That shine was only disguising the monstrosities underneath it all…
I shake my head, trying to get those memories out of my mind.
“Oh, that’s hot,” Amy says, peering over my shoulder and pointing to a black evening gown I just circled in red pen.
“It really is,” I agree.
It’s been good to be back at work, back to my normal life. Well, as normal as it can be when you have a member of the De La Sangre Cartel following you around whenever you leave your house. I do my best to pretend he’s not there. Enrique. That’s who Emmanuel says he is, anyway. I’ve never spoken to the guy. Personally, I like Paz better.
My head pops up when the bell on the door jingles and a very tired-looking Rachel walks into the store, still wearing her scrubs.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were stopping in today.” I drop the red pen onto the counter and walk around. My arms pulling my friend into a tight hug.
“I came to see how you were doing,” she says.
I squint at her. “Did Emmanuel send you?”
“No.” She laughs. “I don’t need your boyfriend to tell me how to be a good friend.”
“Not my boyfriend. But thank you. I’m fine.” I turn as I say this because she will know I’manything but fine. I miss him. I don’t want to, and a part of me hates myself for it, but I want to see him. I want his arms wrapped around me. I want his lips on mine.
“Sure. You got time for lunch?” Rachel asks.
“Ah, I shouldn’t.” I look around the empty store.
“Go. It’s quiet. I’ll be fine here,” Amy tells me with a smile on her face.
“Are you sure? I’ve left you alone so much lately,” I ask her.
“I’m sure. I’ve got this.” She nods.
“Okay. Call me if anything comes up. Anything at all.”
After getting my purse and phone from behind the counter, I follow Rachel out of the store. We walk arm in arm down the quiet street. Neither of us needs to tell the other where we want to go for lunch because we have our favorite little diner just around the corner.
I turn and glance over a shoulder. Enrique is exactly five paces behind us. “You know he’s kinda hot, in that look but don’t touch way,” Rachel whispers.
“Who is?” I ask her.
“The bodyguard who’s following us.” She smirks.
“Look but don’t touch. Where was that advice when I met Emmanuel? I could have saved myself a lot of heartache.” I sigh.
“Pretty sure Charlotte said something along those lines,” Rachel reminds me.
I give her my best unimpressed side-eye. “Have you seen the man? He could have come with a warning tattooed on his forehead and I still would have ignored it.”
“Probably, but I’m sure it wasn’t all bad. You went back for more. That says something.”
