Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“Amber, you were supposed to stay upstairs.” Cole stiffened as he scanned the street through the glass doors. “It’s not safe.”
She wrapped her legs around Van’s waist, crying as she peppered his face in kisses.
“Where’s Livana?” Van caught her chin and stared into her eyes.
“She’s in Colombia. Liv, Josh, they’re all there, except Kate. Matias has a team of men looking for her.”
Kate. Tate had told Lucia about his roommate, but he never mentioned Livana.
Amber went back to kissing his face, covering the length of his scar and the bruises around his eye. When their lips met, he kissed her hard and deep, eating at her mouth with a passion that heated Lucia’s cheeks.
“Who’s Livana?” she asked Cole.
“Van’s daughter. Get in the elevator.” He shooed her in.
Van has a daughter?
She didn’t move. “I’m not going anywhere without Tate.”
“We’ll discuss it upstairs.” He gripped Van’s arm, guiding him onto the lift with Amber in his arms.
“Lucia.” Cole lowered his voice to a threatening tone. “If you die in this lobby, you won’t be able to help him.”
She gritted her teeth and stepped onto the lift. He pressed the button for the top floor, and the elevator started its slow crawl upward.
“Who gave you a black eye?” Amber cupped Van’s face as tears streamed down her own.
He kissed her again, pressing her back against the wall and tangling his hands in her hair.
Watching them together ripped open the hole in Lucia’s chest. She’d been kissed like that once. For five days. Not only had Tate given her a blissful taste of happiness, he’d also fought for her, bled for her, and reopened his own emotional wounds. For her.
She owed him her life, her freedom, and she intended to pay that debt. She wouldn’t neglect it or abandon it. She would never walk away from him.
“What’s on the top floor?” When she glanced at Cole, her horrific, puffy-eyed face reflected back in his sunglasses.
“Helicopter,” he said. “Matias is taking you to Colombia.”
Camila might be here with Matias, but it wouldn’t change anything. Lucia’s mind was made up. “I’m not getting on that helicopter.”
He slid the sunglasses to his hairline and pinned her with the intensity of his brown eyes. “I didn’t just spend seven days getting you out of a Venezuelan jail to let you stay here.”
“I’m going with you.”
“No. Absolutely not.” He set his jaw. “I work alone.”
“Work alone then. I know Tiago better than anyone. I’ll find him on my own.”
The elevator bounced to a stop, and the doors opened to a waiting room filled with half a dozen people. Some she didn’t recognize—Matias’ cartel members by the look of them and the weapons they carried. But there were two familiar faces.
Sitting on a couch beside Matias, Camila lifted her head toward Lucia. Their gazes caught, locked, and connected in a way only two sisters could.
Camila stood, and Lucia stepped off the lift, her legs numb and throat tight.
I’m not going to cry. I will not cry.
Tears welled in Camila’s huge dark eyes. God, she was beautiful. Gone was her sweet baby face and spindly limbs. She’d bloomed into a curvy, toned beauty with long black hair and a healthy glow that radiated around her like a halo.
She paused within arm’s reach of Camila and tentatively touched her soft hair and tear-soaked cheeks.
“You’re as tall as me.” Lucia laughed through a sob. “I told myself not to cry.”
It’d been twelve years since Van had taken Camila from their citrus grove. Twelve years since Lucia last saw her. But it felt like only yesterday when they were running through the maze of orange trees, laughing and screaming as Matias chased them.
“You’re thinner than me, bitch.” Camila grinned through her tears.
“And you’re still bitchier.”
They reached at the same time, crashing together in a hug that constricted her ribs and wrenched a sob from deep inside her.
“I thought you were dead.” Camila cried, soaking Lucia’s neck.
“I thought you were dead, too. This doesn’t feel real, does it?”
Camila shook her head and tightened her embrace. “I’m taking you to Colombia with me. You need food and a doctor and… Goddammit, Lucia.” She leaned back and wiped her cheeks. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve looked harder. Done more. And Tate…” Her face crumpled.
“Don’t do that.” She brushed Camila’s tears away. “Tate told me all about your vigilante work. I’m so fucking proud of you.”
Matias stepped in, nudging Camila aside to wrap his arms around Lucia. “So damn good to see you, bella.”
“You, too.” She hugged him back. “Thank you for taking care of my sister.”
“She’s my life.” His head turned toward Camila.
She followed his gaze and watched Camila pull Van into a tight embrace. His hands hung awkwardly in the air for a moment before they slid behind her and patted her back.
“I still want to kill him,” Matias growled.