Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“I’m on it,” Dominick says.
While I wait to hear from them, I check on Leo, who’s still taking a nap. The thought that both of them could’ve been taken has my stomach roiling. What Vanessa did, sticking him in a closet with her phone, saved his life, and if I wasn’t already in love with the woman, I would be now.
As I wait for my phone to ring with an update, I think about what Matteo said about the compound and something big going down. I know there isn’t much I can do, but sitting in Harbor Point while Matteo risks his life to save my wife feels wrong.
“Can you watch Leo for me?” I ask Dani.
“You’re going to Colombia.”
It’s not a question. She knows I am.
“Two of the people I love are there.”
She nods in understanding, then wraps her arms around me. “Be safe, Lorenzo. And tell my husband not to do anything stupid. I need him to come home.”
I grab my carry-on since I never unpacked it and call the charter company since Matteo has our private plane with him.
They’re able to get me on a flight within the hour. I have Sal drive me to the airstrip so I don’t have to deal with my vehicle.
I’m about to call Matteo to let him know when my phone rings.
“Hey,” Dominick says. “I have Matteo on the line. I spoke to Rosa, and it’s not good. Matteo, you were right. Damn near every affluential businessman in the underworld has been invited out to a compound in the middle of the desert in Colombia for an auction.”
With his words, my stomach drops.
After everything we did to try to protect Vanessa, it wasn’t enough. Vanessa is being auctioned to the highest bidder. Some sick and twisted piece of shit.
“According to Rosa, Santiago is trying to make a comeback, but she’s been getting pushback. Men aren’t taking her seriously. She’s a young woman, and nobody trusts her. Several men have fucked her over, and in retaliation, she’s taken their daughters and granddaughters, and she’s planning to sell them tomorrow night. Rosa was invited and said he could get us an in, but it’ll cost us.”
“You told him we’d give him whatever the fuck he wanted, right?” I bark.
“Of course I did,” Dominick says.
“I’m on my way to Colombia,” I tell them. “And before you fucking argue, Matteo, you’re going to need someone to accept the invite.”
“You don’t think she’s going to have the names screened?” Matteo scoffs. “You’re not getting in that door. None of us are. That place is locked down tighter than the White House.”
Shit, he’s right.
“I have that covered,” Dominick says. “Rosa said we could use his son’s name. He’ll give you what you need to get in, and then the rest is on you.”
“Thank you, Dominick. I’m pulling up to the airstrip now. I’ll be in touch.”
I hang up and step out of the car, praying that Matteo and I get to Vanessa in time. Because if we don’t, there’s a chance I’ll never see Vanessa again. And Leo will lose the only woman he’s ever viewed as his mother.
41
Vanessa
Every inch of my body has been waxed.
My hair is shiny and straight.
My skin is soft.
The woman who did my makeup made it look flawless.
And the lingerie I’m wearing is high quality.
If I didn’t know the reason for all this, I would appreciate how beautiful I looked.
“What is this?” Leysa hisses, reaching out and grabbing my necklace.
I back up, and that’s a mistake because the moment I do, she tilts her head to the side.
“Jeffrey!” she barks. “You were supposed to remove all jewelry and dispose of it.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Santiago. I didn’t see it.”
He reaches for my necklace, and I take another step back. Another mistake. But I can’t stop myself because the necklace isn’t just a tracking chip for Lorenzo to find me. It’s the only thing linking us together, reminding me why I need to stay calm.
“Make another move, and I’ll let my men sample you. You’re already tainted. Nobody will care if you’ve been fucked a few extra times,” she sneers, moving toward me with the intent to snatch my necklace.
With her fingers only millimeters away from my chest, my breathing starts to increase, my heart now thumping in my chest. I’m going to have a panic attack.
“Please,” I whisper. “It’s not hurting anything,” I say in a futile attempt to convince her to leave it alone.
She wraps her fingers around the charm and tugs, and I close my eyes, willing my brain not to panic. But it’s too late. I’m too worked up, and without my pills, it’s almost impossible to calm my racing mind.
I count to ten and then twenty, thinking happy thoughts to distract myself. And when I open my eyes, Leysa and her men are gone, along with my necklace and any hope I had.