“Keep me safe, motherfucker,” Clark says, clutching his gun.
I stand last, my guns already in holsters and strapped to me. We all have bulletproof vests on, but even so, I still feel exposed.
Emilio steps toward the exit of the jet, and when Draco bobs his head, he pushes the door open. As soon as he does, I see a man standing at the bottom of the staircase.
He’s a buff man with a bald head, guns strapped around him. With his nod of respect, I assume he’s one of Draco’s men.
Draco asks him something when he meets up to him, and the man turns around, speaking rapidly and hustling at his side. More men appear from parked cars as we march, following in line.
“You good?” Clark asks, stepping up to my side and walking with me.
I glance over at him before putting my focus ahead, on the man I’m doing this for.
I’m risking my entire life. My future. For all we know, Yessica knows we’re on the way and will end us before we even begin.
She’s not stupid. If she learned from the best, she’s going to take caution. Right?
“You’re nervous for him,” Clark mumbles.
“A little.”
“No need to be,” Patanza says, meeting on the other side of me. “Jefe has gone to war many times before. She isn’t the first he’s had to settle the score with.” Patanza pauses, focusing on her boss with furrowed brows. “But she is the first puta to make him work this hard just to find her. I fear for her, because when he gets to her, he won’t be lenient. Not even for a second.”
Oh, I know he won’t.
I know once he gets a hold of her, his wrath will be hard to witness. A part of me feels bad for her—for what she’ll go through—but a part of me can’t wait to see what he does.
We meet up to three different BMWs: one black, one silver, and the other white. Draco takes the white one, flicking his fingers at me to hurry. Patanza and Clark jump into the backseat of the silver car and Emilio and the new guard take the black one, Emilio climbing into the passenger seat. We follow the black BMW, and the driver of our car clears his throat.
“She deserves every bit of punishment you give her, Jefe,” he says.
Draco doesn’t even look at him. He’s been so far gone and way too focused ever since landing, ready to claim his deadly prize.
The cars drive for some time—nearly thirty minutes—before we slow down, parking in front of a tall building. The windows are tinted black, shining from gold garden lights. We step out of the car, and it’s quiet. Too quiet. The wind doesn’t even blow. The air is stiff and hot, but I can smell the sea—the thick scent of salt.
Clark meets at my side, taking note of his surroundings with his finger on his trigger. Draco follows one of the drivers to the building. We don’t hesitate on following him. I draw my gun from the holster in my waist—Daddy’s pistol—and study the building. It’s clean.
Shiny.
The offices are full of desks, computers, and stacks of paper. We pass by many cubicles. The only thing I can hear is the pounding of our boots on the linoleum.
The leading guard continues until he reaches a door with a SALIDA sign above it. He shoves it open, and we’re in a dark, dank room. Another door appears, and he pushes it open as well.
This door leads to a staircase. We take the stairs down, everyone hustling, still not speaking.
My heart is rattling in my chest now, my adrenaline increasing by the second. My body wants to shake and throb. I want to be terrified, but I can’t be.
There is a task to complete.
This task won’t be over until we get to her.
After hustling down the stairs, we walk through a long underground tunnel. I keep my eyes on Draco, who hasn’t bothered to look back or even around him.
Finally, after two minutes of walking, a ladder appears. The guard takes the ladder up, telling Jefe to wait just a moment. He props the square, brown door above open and takes a look out.
He then looks down, nodding with approval.
Draco takes the steps up. He’s out in no time, and Patanza and Emilio follow suit. Clark looks at me, shrugging lightly before following too.
I take the stairs next, two of the guards still behind me. A hand comes in plain view, tan and large.
I grab it, and I’m hauled up rapidly, clashing softly into a broad, strong chest. It makes me slightly dizzy.
My breathing falters as I peer up into Draco’s eyes. His head is tilted, his eyes remorseful, like something is wrong.
“What?” I ask. “What is it?”
“This is as far as you will go, Gianna. Clark will stay back with you. He’s already agreed to.”