Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“Why are you after him?” I demand, watching him closely.
He looks like Xavier—tall, dark and handsome, as well as very muscular. My theory about them being twins could still be right, and I need to pose my questions carefully to find out how he’s related to my husband.
“Because he killed my men,” Xander hisses. “I lead the Dragon cartel, see. And your dear Heath fucking pissed me off. He killed one of my best suppliers.”
“Heath wouldn’t kill anyone,” I whisper, making him laugh out loud. I narrow my eyes at him. “He wouldn’t!”
“You keep telling yourself that, Adelina,” he says, making me hope I’m not flinching every time he uses the fake name I gave him. “We both know your lover is a killer like the rest of us. And he’s messing with my business, so he needs to be taken care of.”
“Don’t kill him.”
“I won’t,” he rolls his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic, Adelina. That’s why I have you. You’re collateral.”
My face falls as I ask, “What do you mean?”
“Well, we are going to use you as a bargaining chip, of course,” he grins. “To get what we want. But no use doing that right away. Need to make Heath worry a bit, don’t we? No reason we shouldn’t have some fun with you in the meantime.”
“You’re sick,” I hiss.
“Definitely,” he grins darkly. “Once he’s good and worried, we’ll make contact and offer you back... at a price, of course.”
“And if he doesn’t comply?”
“I told you,” he says, the smile not quite reaching his eyes. “You’re collateral, Adelina.”
My blood runs cold at the sound of his words. The man isn’t opposed to killing me; it seems.
“Heath will pay what you want to get me back,” I say, hoping I sound more certain than I feel.
“We’ll see,” Xander says. “We have plenty of time.”
“You say you run the Dragon cartel,” I go on, tugging again at the handcuff under his cruel gaze. “Who are you? Why have I never heard of you?”
“I keep my identity a secret just like your dear Heath,” he smirks. “I have my reasons, too.”
“Which are?”
“Keep asking dangerous questions if you’re so eager to get hurt.”
His cold eyes reveal nothing, and I groan inwardly. I need to find out more to get under his skin. Especially if I want to figure out his connection with Xavier.
“I deserve to know,” I say.
“You deserve nothing. You’re a woman in a man’s world. What makes you think you deserve anything at all?”
I’m desperate to slip up and tell him who I am.
Not just that I’m married to Xavier.
But that I’m a Castellamare girl, one of the most coveted women in the cartel world because of the superstitions all of them believe in.
Except I need to keep that secret close to my heart until I figure out Xavier and Xander’s connection.
“Just tell me something,” I beg, putting on a shaky voice. “I’m so scared, please.”
This seems to soften him up. I make a mental note of it.
“I was once part of a whole. Now I’m just one piece of the puzzle,” he mutters, making my head spin. Is it possible I was right, and he is Xavier’s brother? I need to dig deeper, but I also can’t be too obvious about it.
“Cryptic,” I mutter instead. “That tells me nothing about you. I need more, something else.”
“I love fast cars. And beautiful women.” I swallow thickly, feeling his eyes on me. As if he’s reading my mind, Xander adds, “Don’t worry, I won’t force myself on you. I prefer willing prey. Like I told you, all I want is Heath’s business.”
“He will never give up the cartel for you.”
“Then he’ll watch you die.”
His words scare me, but I do my best not to let it show. “Don’t you want to know more about me?”
“Why is that important?”
“Because... you say you’ll kill me,” I whisper. “And I want you to know who you’re killing.”
My heart pounds as I wait for him to take the bait. I have no intention of telling Xander the truth. In my head, I am now Adelina—the maid who helped and served me at Xavier’s house for years. I know her well enough to confidently play her role.
“Fine,” he laughs as if I’ve just told him a joke. “Tell me about yourself, Adelina.”
“I...” I struggle to remember what I know about my maid. “I have a sister.”
Xander’s gaze darkens and I fight off a victorious smile. “What’s her name?”
“Inez. Do you have brothers or sisters?”
“A brother,” he mutters. “Older than me.”
I do my best not to let my excitement show. “Where is he?”
“Somewhere,” he mutters. “Somewhere in this city. And when I find him, I’m going to kill him and everything and everyone he loves in the world, too.”
My blood runs cold as I swallow. “You must really hate him.”