On the way to my car, I pull out my phone and send him a message. “Come out with me tomorrow?”
I slide the phone back in my pocket, and it doesn’t go off until I’m at my son’s house, showered and in bed.
“I’ll think about it.”
Smiling into the pillow, I close my eyes, pleased by the new answer.
It isn’t a no.
Chapter 18
Miguel
I'm being followed. I tap Cesar on the shoulder, pointing to the car in the rearview mirror. He nods, taking a sharp turn, followed by another into an alleyway. The car behind us is persistent, not ready to give up the chase. Cesar gets back onto the road, quickly pulling in front of a city bus.
"I think we lost them, boss."
I sigh, glancing around me. "For now."
We pull up in front of the hotel I'm supposed to be staying at and Alberto drops me off in front of the lobby. "I asked Hector to meet you by the front doors to escort you safely to your room. I'll circle the parking lot, making sure no one has been waiting here for us."
"I'll only be grabbing my things; I don't need an escort for that."
He huffs under his breath. "It's better to have one than not. Try not to be too long, I don't think you're safe here."
I rest my hand on his shoulder. "Let’s not forget who gives the orders."
I get out of the car, rushing inside. Hector is waiting for me where Caesar had said he would be. We get to the room and the door opens easier than it should. The covers are on the floor, the mattress is turned over and the drawers are pulled out of the dresser. I step over my shredded clothes covering the floor. My face heats as I pick up my leaking duffel bag. Red drops hit the floor the higher I lift it. I hold my breath, slowly unzipping the top. I wince, covering my nose when one of my men's lifeless eyes stare back at me. There's a note inside, covered in blood.
I pull it out and toss the bag on the bed. I clench my fist around the paper, burning a hole through the words with my eyes as I read each one.
You should have listened to your boyfriend and stayed home.
Not only does someone know I'm here, but they also know about me and Marcus. It was only a matter of time before they'd discovered both revelations. I was just hoping most of them would be dead before then.
I turn to my guard. "Get this mess cleaned up. I don't need it traced back to me and I don't want any cops involved."
He nods, pulling his phone out of his pocket. I had brought only three of my men back with me, but Able wasn't satisfied with that number and sent three more. He wants to make sure I remained guarded at all times and I am more than sure he was being paranoid. I call Isaiah, telling him about the vehicle following me, my trashed hotel room, and my guard’s head found in the duffle bag.
"I was just about to call you. I am glad to hear you're safe. I think we have the rest of your guard’s body. One of my men found it in the fountain in front of our house. Not sure how the assholes got onto my property without being noticed, but we will make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Someone wants me dead. I probably should go home and let them find me there instead."
"Someone wants us all dead. We'd still be targeted whether you return home or not."
"I should get back to Mateo. He needs me there."
"I don't think it's safe to go back to Mexico right now and Mateo is fine. I spoke with him this morning. Angel and Santiago are there. They flew out there yesterday morning."
"Good, tell them to stay there. It's better they don't find any of us alone the way they did Mateo. They are hoping for it."
"Then you should probably get out of that hotel. You're practically a sitting duck."
I chuckle. "How did you know I was still here?"
"People never fully change. You're hoping to come back so you could take them on alone. You should learn to follow your advice."
"They killed one of my men and threatened my family. Someone needs to pay."
