Prelude –Trust
After a nineteen-hour flight and a three-hour bus ride over treacherous roads, John Donovan thanked his years of club life for his endurance. Sometimes, he’d go two or three days without sleep, especially when he’d been a prospect.
Even if that hadn’t been the case, he would’ve made the long journey. He felt partially responsible for his grandfather’s exile. Therefore, he couldn’t ignore Logan’s summons to visit him in Colombia.
Either way it went, guilt ate at Johnnie. If he hadn’t made the trip, he would feel as if he let his grandfather down. Now that he was there, he felt as if he betrayedChristopher, his cousin…brother…brother-cousin…?
Cousin-brother?
Brotherandcousin.
Not only didn’t Christopher know Logan was still alive, he didn’t know he and Johnnie had the same miserable father.
Sighing, Johnnie took a drag of his cigarillo. He wasn’t sure of the brand, but it had an excellent flavor profile. If he couldn’t find unopened packs, he’d have to take a few from the tray to bring to the guys.
On second thought, that wasn’t the best idea.
Johnnie didn’t want Val, Mortician, or Digger to figure out the reason he traveled to Colombia. If he brought any mementos, his secrets might slip out.
Fuck. So many times over the past months, Johnnie almost came clean. Except he never found the right words.
Their grandfather’s life meant as little to Christopher as Christopher’s mattered to their grandfather. Logan alive wouldn’t concern Christopher. However, their shared father would more than likely infuriate Christopher, since poor Aunt Patricia had suffered so much after being raped and giving birth to him as a result.
Johnnie wasn’t sure what became of his own biological parents. The couple who’d raised him, Simon and Marissa Donovan, had actually been Logan’s son and daughter-in-law. Simon was shot to death when Johnnie was thirteen while Marissa diedof somethingseveral years later.
So many fucking lies!
Until the big reveal on that dark day, Johnnie hadn’t known about Grandda’s and Grandmother’s youngest child, Tess. He’d always thought they only had two children, Patricia and Simon.
Johnnie scrubbed a hand over his face, took a final drag of his cigarillo, then set it in the ashtray on the small patio table. He leaned back in his chair and admired the lush greenery of hissurroundings. Mist shrouded the magnificent Andes mountains, a perfect backdrop for the deep valleys and rolling hills. The elevation of Grandda’s farm allowed Johnnie to peer down and pick out red-tiled roofs of the coffee plantations where the plants created a verdant green mosaic.
On the drive from the airport, Johnnie noticed streams and rivers crisscrossing the area. Here and there, sparkling waterfalls captured his attention and drove away his fatigue. All sorts of shrubs, trees, and flowering plants dotted the landscape. He couldn’t name most of them, but he picked out the ferns and orchids.
Even as breathtaking as it was, he felt out-of-place, a little miserable, and completely lost. He missed Christopher. At least in Hortensia, Johnnie had a purpose. He had a connection.
After being awake for over a day, he was escorted to his bedroom by a big motherfucker named Mauricio. Ten minutes later, a platter of food arrived, and he was instructed to sleep well.
He’d awakened early this morning, rested and ready for the day.
He glanced at his watch. Big Joe bought him a Rolex travel watch eight months ago, when Johnnie turned twenty-four. Still wasn’t a custom-made loaded pickup Big Joe gifted Christopher with two months ago. At least the watch adjusted the time zones automatically. He had an hour before their noon meal.
“Señor, su baño está listo.”
The soft voice startled Johnnie. Glancing over his shoulder, he widened his eyes. A naked girl stood feet away. Her shiny black hair cascading in soft waves down her back, reflected a subtle sheen in the sunlight. Her honey-colored complexion glowed warmly, giving her a radiant appearance. Her eyes, a deep and rich brown, sparkled with intensity andwarmth, framed by long, dark lashes that accentuated their depths.
Gentle curves sculpted her stunning body, highlighted by flawless skin. She had slender arms, toned legs, a graceful neck, and small breasts topped by reddish-brown nipples.
“Señor, su baño está listo,” she repeated.
He’d learned a few phrases but not many. One he’d perfected—no hablo español. He hadn’t learned Spanish because he didn’t think he’d interact with any of the locals. He’d expected to be in his grandfather’s company where Logan would do most of the talking.
In school, Johnnie had learned German, though he had little opportunity to use it, so he was rusty.
She waved at him and pointed toward the patio door that led to the bedroom.
“No hablo español.”
She frowned, glanced over her shoulder, then scampered forward. She grabbed his hand and tugged. “¡Venga!”
