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“Yup.” He begins to walk toward the jet, and we follow. “It’s what I do.”
“Like a mailman?” Lola asks.
He glances at her over his shoulder. “Exactly, princesa. I’m like a mailman and a pilot all rolled up in one.”
“What is he delivering?” Andie asks.
I arch a brow and her lips form into an O.
Damian Cruz, as it turns out, isn’t part of the mafia. Rather, he’s a part of the Diablos del Sur Cartel. They control a vast portion of the border between the United States and Mexico. Although I’ve never had dealings with them, Luca obviously has.
A few armed men have already boarded when we step into the luxurious plane. Both Lola and Andie press against me as we move down the aisle past them.
We choose seats at the very back. I drop into the soft leather with a groan, and prop my leg on the seat opposite me.
“How are you feeling?” Andie asks, concerned.
“Like if I take my shoe off, my foot will balloon and I’ll never be able to put it back on.”
Damian comes through a door behind us, and tosses an ice pack at me. “Saw you limpin’.”
“Thanks.”
Andie takes the pack from me and places it on my ankle. “I’m sorry.” She winces like it hurts her as she moves it around, searching for a spot it will stay put.
“Miri would have been able to help,” Lola says.
I lean back and grimace. “She probably would have wanted to amputate.”
“Get comfortable. I’ll have you in New York before you know it.” Damian makes to leave, but turns back. “By the way, when we get there, wait until you’re told to get off the plane before you do. We wouldn’t want you seeing anything you shouldn’t.” He winks at Andie, who sinks into her seat. And with a laugh, he heads to the cockpit.
Less than two hours later, Damian parks his Ford Bronco under the large portico of Briar House.
“Delivered safe and sound, as promised,” he says as he shuts off the motor.
Just over the horizon, the first rays of sun peek through. Luca and Carina, accompanied by several armed men are waiting for us at the door.
It’s a new fucking day. I can breathe again.
When Damian steps out to greet Luca, I turn to Andie. “We’re safe now,” I tell her. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
Things, as it turns out, are not going to be okay. I just wish I knew that before we let our guard down and walk inside.
* * *
“I took a bullet and lost three men fighting to get Carina back. And I did it without hesitation. Or have you forgotten about that?”
We’re all sitting around the large dining room table. It’s become familiar to me because I’ve been here enough times with these men, going over strategies to keep ourselves safe from Gideon.
But today, as familiar as it has been, it also seems foreign. I feel like someone that’s come home to find everything has changed. Someone else has moved in. Strangers.
“Of course I haven’t forgotten,” Luca says. “I also haven’t forgotten everything Gunn or Arran or Noah have done. To ask them to go in blind is like asking them to commit suicide.”
I don’t miss the fact that he left Rowan out of it. But I suppose with what Gunn told me, the discovery that was made while I was away, it makes sense. Rowan is Gideon’s half-brother.
Rowan doesn’t miss the jab either. His jaw tenses and he fists his hands, but says nothing.
“All I’m asking for, is support,” I tell him.
