“She stays in your city, lives with you or someone in your family who can look after her. She’s guarded at all times in public. I’ll happily pay for security and any other expenses. If you need to take her out of your city, I want to approve it first. Zack will always be able to reach me but I’ll get you a secure number.”
“You don’t pay me for looking after my wife’s sister. I may have just met that girl half an hour ago, but she’s my family.”
He nodded. “So you’ll do this for me and then I’ll marry her and I’ll be your family, too.”
I didn’t know if I caught a trace of humor in his eyes. Maybe.
He kept talking, “This will give them time together. Perhaps it’ll help your wife heal from what she’s… endured. And it’ll give me time to get some things in order, knowing Holly is safe while I do this.”
“Fine. But I can’t promise that when you’re ready----”
“Dario, no offense but please. Let’s not muddy the waters here. You came for Holly. You’re leaving with her. I’m telling you I’ll be back for her. Consider this concession a gift. You’ll be doing me a favor by looking after her, but it is temporary.”
I studied his face and decided to keep my mouth shut. I’d get her outta here and figure the rest out later.
His eyes lit with a bit of amusement but a very small amount. He’d probably read my mind and left it at that.
“Why’d you help me take down Kruna?” His hacker was invaluable. The guy bypassed security systems, got the money moved, helped with the trackers, the list went on. We also had all the firepower we needed as well as the bomb-making materials I used, thanks to Alessandro.
“They had to be stopped. Delgado, especially.”
“Is that because they take from your trade or because what they were doing was immoral?” I asked.
He snickered, “You gonna try to take my outfit down now? Rid the world of human trafficking? Please.” He rolled his eyes.
I regarded him carefully. I didn’t know what to make of this guy.
***
We left Mexico that night. We had planned to stay but with Holly? We left immediately. Mission accomplished, if only for now. I had gotten Holly for Angel.
Angel was careful about Holly but Holly was distraught. We stepped
into the bedroom and saw them sitting on the bed together. Alessandro looked at her pointedly.
“Hi,” she greeted sweetly.
“You’re going with your sister,” Alessandro said.
Angel and Holly both jolted.
“What?” Holly went pale.
“For now. I’ll be back for you soon.”
“Soon? When?”
“When it’s time, mi pequeña flor.”
“Is this a punishment for what I did?” she asked, giving him big doe eyes.
“Go. Spend time with your sister. I’ll see you soon.”
“Let’s have them stay here, so I can spend time with Angie here. Can she stay here?” Holly looked at me.
“Not a good idea, Holly,” I said.
“I’m not going,” she folded her arms over her chest. “I’m not.”