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She’d snapped back at him so fiercely, Victor himself had separated the two with a stern glare at Maximoff. Apparently, whatever he’d done didn’t sit well with the boss.
The taller man huffed but backed off, circling the car to slide into the driver’s seat while Victor smoothed Ash’s ruffled feathers. While I didn’t like my friend unhappy, I was thrilled to see her fighting back. It was the most fire we’d seen in her in a while.
Unfortunately, it only set off Mari’s protective instincts, and she’d been pacing ever since they turned out of the drive.
“You’re going to wear a groove in the hardwood,” Dominic said before chomping down on an apple.
Mari whirled on him, glaring as if she could wish him to the nine circles of hell. “Is that your way of telling me to calm down? Because my best friend just willingly walked into a cartel’s arms as a hostage. I think I have the right to be upset.”
“Which she chose to do.” When she growled, Nate crossed his arms. “None of us said you couldn’t be upset. We’re just not going to let you hurt yourself in the process.”
“How is walking in the kitchen hurting myself?”
“You haven’t slept since Ash made the deal. Haven’t eaten much either.” It was all booze and caffeine. She was going to pass out soon. I stepped closer, rubbing my hands down her arms. “I’m aware you know this, but we’re in the middle of a war, reina. Ash is safer with Victor Paez than she is with us right now, just like Shara is safer with Christian and Adrien. I know you don’t want to believe it, but it’s the truth.”
She sagged, her mind finally accepting that she couldn’t fight this. “What about Victor’s second? Every other text from Ash is about how they’re arguing already.”
Nate rolled his eyes. “Maximoff’s a dick, but we have to trust Victor to keep him in check. If he can’t, no one’s going to do business with him again. Besides, I gave her a few burner phones so she can call if she needs help.”
He wasn’t wrong. If Victor let something happen to Aislynn, especially by his own men, he’d lose a lot of the power he’d amassed. Hard to trust someone was a strong ally when they couldn’t keep their own men in line. It was why we’d kept Cameron’s involvement with Cash a secret.
“What about when he’s not looking?” Mari asked, and I knew she was calming down, albeit against her will.
I ghosted a kiss over her temple. “We have to trust Ash to keep herself safe. She made the deal. She bears the consequences.”
Nate pressed against Mari’s back, nuzzling her neck. “You can’t take the whole world on your shoulders, angel. It’s not good for you.”
I hummed my agreement, which was apparently not a good idea. She twisted out from between us with a glare, pointing at all three of us. “Don’t gang up on me right now. You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“We are on your side. We’re just trying to take care of you.” Dominic snatched her by the waist and hauled her into his lap, holding her there even when she clawed at him. “Tell us what’s really going on?”
He was so soft with her that it was no surprise when she melted. She popped her lip between her teeth, chewing it anxiously. “What if they snap and kill her? Not Victor, but the rest of them.”
“They’re not going to risk your wrath, and they certainly won’t risk the Osorios’ wrath. Just because he doesn’t like you doesn’t mean that the Wolf wouldn’t go to war for a perceived threat against you. Ash is as safe as she can be with them.”
Mari’s shoulders lost a bit of tension as she realized that was true, but she was still gnawing her lip. “They don’t even know her. What if she needs something or gets sick? Are they going to take her to the doctor?”
I pulled out her bottom lip, swiping it with my thumb. “Victor promised safety, a roof over her head, and money to spend. We have to assume that also includes health care, but I’ll check if you’d like.”
“Please.” She gave me big doe eyes, and I grinned. Didn’t she know I’d do anything for her?
I shot a text to Victor, knowing Mari needed to have it in writing or she’d never relax.
Mari wants to know if Ash will be provided adequate health care while she’s in your custody.
He texted back immediately.
We have an on-site doctor who is a general practitioner and a gynecologist. We’re also close enough to the other islands that a day trip for a different doctor isn’t a problem.
After repeating the messages to Mari, I raised the phone. “Anything else you want to know?”
She gnawed on her lip again, sagging a little deeper into Dominic’s arms so he was holding instead of restraining. “I just want her to be comfortable.”
Reaching over, I brushed the hair out of her face, cupping her cheek. “I’ll make sure it happens.”
Since I’m sure Ash is going to try to be as unobtrusive as possible, here are some things you should know. She loves breakfast foods but won’t eat them in the morning. Her favorite candies are those butter mints you get at restaurants sometimes. She hates olives but will eat tomatoes like apples if they’re ripe enough. She always sleeps with the window open but likes three blankets on top of her, no matter what the temperature outside is. If allowed, she’ll fall asleep at her sewing desk—which I highly recommend you build for her so she’s occupied while she’s there. An entire room would be better, but I’m not sure what your space situation looks like.
With the text sent, I checked my email, letting Dominic and Nate soothe Mari on their own. I’d check in with her later, but I knew they were on edge about her right now.
