Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
But why? Why was he watching me? The only reason I could think of was because of my sister.
“Why do you have eyes on me?”
He made a sharp U-turn in the middle of the street, not answering me. As he drove, I settled back. The scent of his cologne wrapped around me, audacious warm cinnamon and blood mandarin. It was the type of fragrance that lingered in your memory. Something about it was loosely familiar, but I wasn’t in a position to ask him about it.
“Just relax,” he said in a gentle tone.
Impossible. But I did let go of the door handle, which was practically embedded into my palm. Attempting to calm myself with a quiet breath, I glanced over at him. “Where are you taking me?”
“For breakfast. Where else?”
“You...you kidnapped me for breakfast?” I couldn't help but ask, incredulously.
He chuckled lightly. “You got into my car on your own accord. That's hardly kidnapping.”
His amusement only made me more annoyed. “Where are we going?” I repeated.
“I already told you.”
“I'm not really a breakfast person.”
“You should be. It's the most important meal of the day.”
His seriousness almost made me laugh out loud, so I had to bite my cheek to keep from doing so.
“I told you we’d talk soon, yes?”
“Yes,” I replied briskly. He had said that, and I didn’t forget. Forgetting him was a feat I wasn’t sure I could accomplish. I knew the moment he approached me at the venue there was a reason why. I could only hope to have the answer after this was done.
CHAPTER SEVEN
MATEO
I didn’t ask any questions.
I gave her space for a few minutes, mentally organizing the tasks I had to complete in just a few hours. Deliveries of cocaine were on their way to an unknown destination, cash needed to be laundered and divided evenly, and plans for a new neighborhood development were in progress. These tasks could wait - a benefit of being my own boss, but I preferred to handle everything efficiently and promptly.
If things ever got too tight, Elias would act on my behalf with full authority. He was one of the few men I trusted to make decisions for me, aside from my cousin Angel. However, he was currently out of reach and tended to take drastic measures without hesitation. While this quality served him well on the illegal side of our business, it wasn't ideal for handling legal matters.
Sergio, on the other hand, struggled with interpersonal skills and often didn't work well with others. Collectively, we all kept things running smoothly, just in different areas. At the moment, my main focus was on Elena and getting us to our destination. I didn’t like her late-night walks, but tonight they worked in my favor. There was a lingering irritation with her hesitating to get into my car, soothed only by the knowledge the alternative would’ve been her fighting me. It was too early in our relationship for that.
“What year is this?” Her soft voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I glanced over and saw she was trailing her fingers along the ridges of the white bucket seat; her nails freshly painted a deep shade of maroon. “Seventy-four. Do you like it?”
“Yeah…”
She didn’t reveal her father had one just like it, but her speaking at all was a step in the right direction.
The route we were taking offered little scenery after leaving our neighborhood, and silence had settled between us. Elena remained alert, fearful but not close to terror. That was good. It would’ve been a problem were she to be lax around me. Eventually, I turned and coasted into a parking lot. Elena leaned forward and peered through the windshield, causing her long hair to curtain the side of her face.
“You were serious about breakfast?”
“If you’d rather I took you to one of my rooms with four stone walls and a concrete floor, I’d be happy to oblige. I wouldn’t mind seeing you bound and gagged.”
She looked over at me, diverting her gaze the second we made eye contact. “I’ll take a raincheck on that.”
I grinned and cut the ignition. “In that case, it’s time you and I had a talk.” Exiting the car, I caught a glimpse of her wary expression as I slammed my door.
She got out and followed me into the diner, sliding into a cherry red booth of my choosing so that we were facing one another. There was only one other person inside, an older man who looked half asleep in a back corner.
“Get whatever you want.” I slid her a menu without needing one for myself.
Paula, the wife of the man I had purchased the place from years ago, shuffled over ready to take our orders. “Hey Hun, didn’t expect to see you today.”
She never expected to see me. She was also the only woman I’d allow to address me like that. Paula had worked for my family for well over a decade, cleaning money and making sure the basement of the diner was always ready for whenever it was needed. She had skin in this game and bigger balls than some of the men I knew. Gerald, her late husband, had gone above and beyond for me and the men I kept close without complaint. It was a selfless act we’d never forgotten.