Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Chapter 19
Massimo
Duarte beamed at Evelyn, and the sharp edge to his grin made me tense with aggression. I wanted to snap at him not to look at her with that subtle threat in his black, shark’s eyes, but he was my host. I couldn’t protect her if I got myself killed for insulting the notoriously mercurial drug lord.
“It’s so lovely to meet you, Evelyn.” He addressed her warmly, as though he was genuinely delighted to make her acquaintance. Then his cold eyes cut to me. “Massimo has been very…bold in choosing to bring you as his guest. I was under the impression that you were engaged to someone else.”
She stiffened at my side, and I traced a soothing pattern on her lower back, trying to offer her quiet comfort.
I kept my own charming smile fixed in place. “Do you see a ring on her finger?” I asked blandly.
Duarte let out a soft hum. “Interesting. I must’ve been mistaken.”
Carmen stepped close to him, and he draped a possessive arm around her waist.
“Don’t interrogate them, darling.” She brushed a kiss over his cheek. “Evelyn has chosen to be with Massimo.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn’t stop myself from looking down at Evelyn. Her cheeks were flushed the prettiest shade of pink, and her eyes were downcast. I couldn’t quite read her reaction to Carmen’s declaration. Was Duarte’s wife speaking the truth? What had the women talked about in their private conversation?
The prospect that Evelyn had indeed chosen me made my chest swell with pride. The stunning woman at my side belonged to me, and she’d acknowledged my claim publicly. She bore my mark on her neck, and she didn’t try to conceal it.
“I didn’t realize that the situation with her former fiancé had been handled,” Duarte said, a genial but incisive remark. “It’s good news if he’s no longer in the picture.” He wanted confirmation that Crawford was dead.
My smile twitched at the corners, but I quickly cleared away the sign of strain. “Evelyn is my primary concern at the moment.” I allowed the weight of my loyalty to her to deepen my tone. She was my priority. Killing Crawford was an important secondary goal. She wouldn’t be safe until he was dead, so his days were numbered.
“But I value our friendship, Stefano,” I continued smoothly. “And I always keep my promises.”
He offered me a small nod of acknowledgement, his displeasure evident in his glittering black stare. “Yes,” he agreed, “I hope our friendship lasts a lifetime.”
I heard the threat, loud and clear: my life wouldn’t be very long if I didn’t follow through on my promise and eliminate George Crawford.
“That’s settled, then,” Carmen announced, moving the conversation away from death threats: the epitome of a skilled hostess. “Aren’t you going to invite our new friend on our trip tomorrow, darling?” she prompted Duarte. “I’d hate for him to miss the opportunity to meet Adrián.”
Adrián Rodríguez was Duarte’s Colombian partner. He worked with the Mexican drug lord to move their product from Colombia into his territory in America. My friendship with Duarte was important, but getting in with Rodríguez would secure my position here in the Americas. Gian, Enzo, and I would have a powerful friend in our corner when we finally made our move against our despotic boss back home.
“Where are we going?” I asked, accepting the invitation before Duarte could take it back.
“Colombia,” he replied, keeping me fixed in his sharp stare. He still wasn’t pleased by the situation with Crawford, but he wasn’t ready to give up on our alliance over it. He had much to gain from our business deal, too.
“We leave tomorrow morning.” He glanced at Evelyn. “You are welcome to make yourself at home here while we’re away.”
“Evelyn goes where I go,” I said immediately, too sharply. I took a quick breath and calmed my most savage urges. “I made a vow to protect her. I don’t want her out of my sight.”
Duarte’s dark brows rose. “And you think she won’t be safe in my home?” he drawled.
“Like I said, I always keep my promises,” I replied coolly. This wasn’t up for negotiation. Crawford was still in Mexico City. I wouldn’t leave Evelyn here without me to guard her.
And I wouldn’t be able to focus on my important business in Colombia if I didn’t have her with me. I’d be consumed by thoughts of her. The depth of my obsession should’ve alarmed me, but with her slight body leaning into mine, I couldn’t bring myself to care. She looked to me to shield her, and I was addicted to her trust in me.
“Do you want to come with us?” Carmen addressed Evelyn, allowing her the choice.
Part of me appreciated that she was offering Evelyn agency, but my irritation at the prospect of being parted from her far outweighed my flicker of respect. My delicate little butterfly wasn’t leaving my side.