But I knew one thing without a doubt. Navarro was in the middle of the horror, no matter if his heartfelt denial was real.
I couldn’t be blinded by his beauty. Not for a second. I also could never underestimate him again.
With my phone in my hand, I moved off to the side, surfing until I found the Uber app I’d installed. As I typed in the addressto request a driver, prickles suddenly danced across my skin. Lifting my head, I looked both ways down the busy street and back to the entrance of the club.
While I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary at first, three men had exited the club. They stood together in a group, not paying any attention to me, but a very bad feeling pooled into the pit of my stomach. I started walking, still staying close to the building. There were enough people even this late at night that I should take some comfort.
I didn’t.
The moment I looked over my shoulder, I noticed while casual in their actions, they were definitely following me. A moment of panic settled in, enough so I picked up my pace, still pressing the send button for the request. Somehow, I had a terrible feeling the driver wouldn’t make it here in time.
What the hell was I going to do?
I’d tried to disguise myself, the threat lingering in my mind the entire time. I’d been very careful, using everything my dad had taught me to remain in the shadows. Yet I’d felt people watching me while I’d remained in LA. But no one had approached me. Just watching. Maybe waiting.
I rounded the corner of the building, searching for a place to hide. Ducking into an alley, I waited, holding my breath and trying not to make a single sound. When I heard footsteps, I slunk back against the stucco façade, praying the shadows would keep me safe.
When the three men walked by, I got a better look at them. While it wasn’t obvious they were carrying weapons, the bulges in theirclothing indicated they were. They were definitely looking for something, scanning the street and sidewalks very carefully.
They were wearing dark clothes, muscle tee shirts and cargo pants, and I was able to catch a glimpse of ink crawling up their arms.
Just like Navarro.
Had he sent more goons to kidnap me as well?
I remained where I was, now almost gasping for air. I’d been a fool to come here alone. Why I’d thought I could handle this myself was beyond me. At this point, all I could think about was returning to the hotel safely.
When I thought enough time had passed, I eased to the corner, peering out. I hadn’t taken four steps when I heard a dark, ominous laugh. Oh, shit. They’d doubled back.
One man said something to another and they came at me. I took off running, crossing the perpendicular street, praying I could find someone to help me. They were gaining on me, their long strides and the fact I was in heels not helping. I had to keep going.
The panic was real, my chest tightening and not a single person was paying any attention. I struggled to reach my knife, my fingers sweaty enough I almost dropped it. A loud grunt forced me forward.
Without the knife in my hand.
I whirled, my heart hammering against my chest. Pure, blind terror gripped me as they closed the distance.
A rush of adrenaline spiked, my vision fuzzy as I tried to find somewhere safe. Every other business was closed, fewer people on the street.
Seconds later, a hand grabbed my arm and I steeled myself for a hard blow while spinning. I issued a hard kick, able to free my arm when he was pitched backward. The other two were quick in their actions, surrounding me even as I managed to throw a hard punch at a second guy.
That wasn’t stopping them. The element of surprise I’d had with Navarro’s men wasn’t with me. They closed in and even with a few additional strategic kicks, I couldn’t make any headway.
A scream erupted from my lips as they snarled, laughing at me as if I was nothing but a fool.
That’s what I considered myself at that moment. A stupid girl who thought she could take on some ruthless cartel leader.
“Take her,” one of the men told the others. They grabbed both arms, dragging me toward the street. “Nos la follaremos antes de entregársela.”
His horrible words in Spanish? ‘We’ll fuck her before handing her off.’ Confirmed. They’d been tasked with abduction.
I struggled but knew there was no chance I’d free myself. Yet I kicked one in the nuts, fighting until my other arm was freed.
Lunging forward, I almost tripped. There was a sense of doom as the men came for me again, their rage evident.
Only they didn’t grab me.
Just as I slammed against a parked car, I felt another presence.
