“Nothing. As in there is no real sign of the Las Bartas Cartel. They’re currently engaged in a meeting with the leader of the Las Bartas. I’ll be curious as to what he has to say.”
Yeah, so would I.
“Interesting. A wild goose chase?” When I heard noise, I turned toward the door leading to the inside of the room. Emmeline had yet to return from the bathroom. I briefly thought about the conversation regarding the gris-gris. While she hadn’t explained the good will she’d placed over the two of us, I was more intrigued as to why than I’d ever been in any of her spells. A hateful curse, maybe to make me sick off food or falling down the stairs I’d buy. But something positive? Hmm…
“Maybe and I don’t mind telling you I’m not thrilled. I can’t stand anyone playing games with us.” Alexander was clearly agitated.
That much I knew. “Something odd is happening, Alexander.”
“You don’t need to tell me that. Incidentally, we finally found your photographer.”
I could tell by the tone of his voice the condition. “Dead?”
“Very. A single bullet in his brain. He was found in his darkroom. And there were pictures missing. You could tell by how they trashed the place.”
The admittance brought stiff muscles. “Have you had the time to chat withSouthern Comfortand William Dreyfus?”
“I figured you’d want to be in on that conversation, which we’ll do as soon as the two of you are home safely.”
I was surprised. “Yes, sir. Happy to be a part of the meeting.”
“I thought you would. I know how seriously you… take your job. I’ll send you a text when the plane is in the air.”
“Yes, sir.” I could sense he had something else to say, but for whatever reason held back.
“Oh, and let my sister know she’s not going to be able to avoid my call for long.”
Emmeline chose that moment to come out of the bathroom, her eyes locking directly on mine.
But my gaze didn’t stay there for long. She’d taken my advice in trying to blend in, selecting a beautiful, tropical dress, something I’d never seen her wear. She’d placed her hair in a ponytail, the knot high on her head. And with her dark sunglasses, her appearance had been altered enough I doubted anyone would recognize the stunning princess.
However, I was placed in a state of shock and I wasn’t certain why. Maybe because I’d allowed myself to pay very close attention to her, where I’d tried to keep my distance in every aspect before.
Impossible any longer.
“My brother the Don?” she asked, daring enough to take a few steps closer.
“Yes, the powerful leader of your family. You know, the man you keep avoiding.” I shoved my phone into my pocket and took long strides in getting to her.
“I’m not avoiding him. I simply have nothing to say to him. Not right now.”
“He cares about you.”
“And I care about everyone in my family. We’ve been through this. I’ll atone for my sins. But not now.”
Even with her eyes covered, I could tell she had mischief on her mind. When I tried to remove her sunglasses, she refused toallow me, grasping my hand instead. “Why not atone for them beginning now?”
“Because I plan on getting into an infinite number of wicked things in the time we have left together. Speaking of which. It’s time for my husband to change. We have a honeymoon to celebrate. Remember?”
She walked around me, swishing her dress. I shifted so I could see her, marveling even more than I had before, even if the little lady drove me crazy.
I had a very good reason for her mere presence to be enticing and bothering me.
Because every time she was close, my chest felt heavy, as if I was about to suffocate.
And my fucking hands grew clammy.
Then there was the condition of constantly being aroused when I was near her.
