Page 113 of Secret Seduction

She nods in understanding, then wraps her arms around me. “Be safe, Lorenzo. And tell my husband not to do anything stupid. I need him to come home.”

I grab my carry-on since I never unpacked it and call the charter company since Matteo has our private plane with him.

They’re able to get me on a flight within the hour. I have Sal drive me to the airstrip so I don’t have to deal with my vehicle.

I’m about to call Matteo to let him know when my phone rings.

“Hey,” Dominick says. “I have Matteo on the line. I spoke to Rosa, and it’s not good. Matteo, you were right. Damn near every affluential businessman in the underworld has been invited out to a compound in the middle of the desert in Colombia for an auction.”

With his words, my stomach drops.

After everything we did to try to protect Vanessa, it wasn’t enough. Vanessa is being auctioned to the highest bidder. Some sick and twisted piece of shit.

“According to Rosa, Santiago is trying to make a comeback, but she’s been getting pushback. Men aren’t taking her seriously. She’s a young woman, and nobody trusts her. Several men have fucked her over, and in retaliation, she’s taken their daughters and granddaughters, and she’s planning to sell them tomorrow night. Rosa was invited and said he could get us an in, but it’ll cost us.”

“You told him we’d give him whatever the fuck he wanted, right?” I bark.

“Of course I did,” Dominick says.

“I’m on my way to Colombia,” I tell them. “And before you fucking argue, Matteo, you’re going to need someone to accept the invite.”

“You don’t think she’s going to have the names screened?” Matteo scoffs. “You’re not getting in that door. None of us are. That place is locked down tighter than the White House.”

Shit, he’s right.

“I have that covered,” Dominick says. “Rosa said we could use his son’s name. He’ll give you what you need to get in, and then the rest is on you.”

“Thank you, Dominick. I’m pulling up to the airstrip now. I’ll be in touch.”

I hang up and step out of the car, praying that Matteo and I get to Vanessa in time. Because if we don’t, there’s a chance I’ll never see Vanessa again. And Leo will lose the only woman he’s ever viewed as his mother.

41

Vanessa

Every inch of my body has been waxed.

My hair is shiny and straight.

My skin is soft.

The woman who did my makeup made it look flawless.

And the lingerie I’m wearing is high quality.

If I didn’t know the reason for all this, I would appreciate how beautiful I looked.

“What is this?” Leysa hisses, reaching out and grabbing my necklace.

I back up, and that’s a mistake because the moment I do, she tilts her head to the side.

“Jeffrey!” she barks. “You were supposed to remove all jewelry and dispose of it.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Santiago. I didn’t see it.”

He reaches for my necklace, and I take another step back. Another mistake. But I can’t stop myself because the necklace isn’t just a tracking chip for Lorenzo to find me. It’s the only thing linking us together, reminding me why I need to stay calm.

“Make another move, and I’ll let my men sample you. You’re already tainted. Nobody will care if you’ve been fucked a few extra times,” she sneers, moving toward me with the intent to snatch my necklace.