She nodded, and leaned closer to whisper, “He’s a good man, querida. One day, you will know everything.”
“I...” I glanced at Michael and then back to Carmen. “I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“That makes two of us,” Alexis said, her tone annoyed.
“She’s got a mouth on her,” Nick said to Michael.
Alexis blinked rapidly, her tone sarcastic. “Yes, where I come from, women are allowed to make choices before a huge tattooed goon destroys their personal property!”
Michael lifted his eyebrows as Nick cleared his throat.
“Their phones both had trackers,” Nick grumbled.
“Ah, yes,” Michael said with a nod. “We’ll have Burns get you both new phones immediately.” Closing the distance between them, he extended his hand to Alexis. “It’s a pleasure to formally meet you, Alexis. I’m sorry it’s under such...intensecircumstances.”
Alexis glowered at his outstretched hand. “You killed my father.”
Michael lowered his hand and slowly nodded. “Yes.”
Alexis’s eyes darted between his. “And you want to know where my flash drive is. Well, spoiler alert, it’s encrypted, and I’m not giving the information toanyone.”
The corner of Michael’s lips curved. “Knowing that information would help me work with our FBI informants to shut down your father’s sex trafficking ring for good.”
Her chin lifted. “I do want the trafficking to stop, but I don’t trust you. I don’t trust anyone right now. If I give you that info, what use do you have foreitherof us?” she gestured between us with her hand. “And the encryption is state of the art, so don’t even think about hiring a hacker to do it. No one but me can do that.”
“Yes, that makes you indispensable, which is very smart. But indispensable doesn’t mean invulnerable, Alexis. Torture is a very effective way of extricating information from someone.”
Alexis shivered at his words.
“This is why we need to hide you for a while. Nick will ensure you remain safe while I marry your mother and solidify her allegiance to me. In the meantime, I’m hoping my protection of her will help...soften your stance on giving me the information.”
Alexis crossed her arms. “Not likely.”
Michael’s lips curved into a slow grin before he looked at me. “She’s so much like you were back then. Full of fire, and stubborn as hell.”
“Um, hi, please don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” Alexis said, waving her hand in front of his face.
“Alexis,” I scolded, shooting her a glare before lifting my gaze to Michael’s. “When is the wedding?”
His gaze softened as his tone turned more serious. “The officiant will be here shortly. I’m sorry it’s not a Catholic priest, but we don’t have time to get permission to have a priest marry us outside of a church. Leticia has a dress on the way for you both. Carmen knew your sizes.”
I nodded and walked toward Alexis, taking her hand as I addressed Michael and Nick. “And when will you take Alexis to the safehouse?”
“We’ll be heading there after the wedding,” Nick said, his expression indicating that he was less than thrilled about the situation. “I’ve given Michael my vow to protect her.”
Alexis opened her mouth to give a retort, and I sent her a silencing glare.
“Thank you,” I continued. “We both appreciate your protection. This is all very disconcerting, as I’m sure you can understand.”
“Of course,” Michael said, his voice conciliatory. “Carmen, please take Bianca and Alexis to the kitchen and make them some breakfast. Then show Bianca her room. You both can freshen up there if you like,” he finished, his gaze meeting mine.
“Thanks,” I said softly, wondering what having my own room meant. Michael had indicated earlier that he wanted to be with me as much as possible, but what did that mean? Did we sleep separately but make love in his room? Was I allowed in there if he wasn’t home? Questions swirled in my mind at all of the unknowns.
Pushing the thoughts aside, I took Alexis’s hand and followed Carmen to the kitchen.
Chapter 13
Michael
