Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
“I need more fucking coffee,” I growl and go pour the rest of the pot into my mug. My legs stopped halfway back to the table. “That motherfucker has help.”
Wild Man flashes a satisfied smile. “Exactly. I have Gia scouring the footage near Burbank to figure out who. But the flight was headed to Colombia. Just two passengers and the pilot, not even a fucking flight attendant.”
“Shit.” I jump to my feet and step back to avoid the coffee sloshing over the edge of the mug. “Get me on the next flight to Colombia. I have to find her and get her back. Who knows what that asshole has planned for her.”
He sighs, and I know I’m gonna hate what he’s about to say next. “We should probably talk to Ace about this, especially given your late-night activities.”
“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, brother.”
“Fine,” he throws his hands up. “Keep your secrets, Dix. Just know I have eyes everywhere.” He pushes up to his feet and grabs the tablet. “And I have to tell Ace.”
I know he’s right. I fucking hate it, but given everything else, the last thing I need to do is piss off my Prez. Again. Who also happens to be my best friend. “Fine. Let’s go.”
Wild Man and I find Ace outside with Kenna in his arms and fused to his lips. His hands grip her ass as he dips her over his arm, and dammit, it just makes me miss Valentina even more. My hands bunch and flex in anticipation, but I know if I want Ace on my side, interrupting his morning goodbye kiss with his woman is a bad fucking way to get it.
Thankfully, the need for oxygen pulls them apart, but the look of love shining on Kenna’s face makes my heart tumble over in my chest. Will Valentina and I ever be able to be so open and free with our affection?
“All right, big guy,” Kenna says to him. “I need to get over to the bakery. Maven and Willow are picking out new appliances today, so I’m tasked with keeping the contractors in line.” Then she grins at him. “I love bossing people around.”
Ace wraps his hands low around her waist and laughs. “You are damn good at it.” He gives her ass a swat, and she giggles before turning toward us.
“Oh. Good morning guys.” She flashes a smile and a wave before heading inside.
Ace’s expression morphs from lovesickness to seriousness in a heartbeat. “What’s up?”
“Wild Man knows where that fucker took Valentina, and I’m going to Colombia to get her.”
“Dix,” Ace groans, pinching the space between his eyebrows like I’m some sort of petulant child. “That’s not a good idea.”
My scowl deepens. “Why the fuck not? You would do no less for Kenna.”
He nods, not even bothering to deny it. “You’re right, but the difference here is that Valentina isn’t in danger.”
My chest tightens with anger. “You don’t know that. Arturo has enemies everywhere.”
“Okay, but we’re in business with her father, who is in a much better position to save her than we are. He has connections in Colombia, people who probably owe him favors. We don’t.”
I scoff at the idea of favors. “Favors like marrying his daughter to make his empire bigger? Those kinds of favors?”
Ace’s eyes narrow, and I can tell he’s frustrated. But I can’t stop thinking about Valentina, trapped in some unknown location with her twisted brother.
“Dix. We need to keep our enemies close. I need Rojas to believe we’re on his side. And you fucking his daughter has put a wrench in the whole thing.”
I scoff at his words. “Fuck you, man. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t even know she’d been kidnapped by her own fucking brother.”
Ace’s face softens, and I can tell he’s trying to calm me down. “I know this is shitty, brother. Believe me, I know. But this is the best move forward for now. If that changes, we’ll come up with another plan.”
My mind races with possibilities, but I know deep down that Ace is right. We’re out of our depth here, and Emiliano is dangerous. But I can’t help but feel like I’m abandoning Valentina when she needs me most.
“Fine. Whatever.” I force the words out through gritted teeth and turn to walk away before I say something I’ll regret. But deep down, I know this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Valentina
I’ve been watching everything that goes on for nearly a week now, just to get a lay of the land. I’ve been playing nice, saying please and thank you to my jailers, and so far, it seems to be working.
Sicario Number One takes me on walks around the property, and I keep him off my scent by commenting on stupid shit like the pretty pink roses and just how vibrant green the grass is. Never mind that it makes me want to vomit. The point is my act works.