Chapter 7 #2
Leo moves to the door to give the order to the guards, and when he turns back to look at me, I say, “I’m sorry I snapped.”
“No worries.”
“I can go to the gas station and make sure Jenna is taken to the hospital,” Cassia offers.
My eyes flick to her face. “You sure?”
“Of course. I’ll be able to get closer to her than any of the guards.”
“Just don’t do anything risky,” Dominik tells her.
I climb to my feet and take a couple of steps closer to Cassia before stopping. “I’d owe you big time.”
“Pfft.” She waves a hand between us. “This is what family does for each other.”
When she walks out of the motel room, I let out a relieved sigh.
“Why did you leave your woman behind?” Leo asks.
Instantly, anger pours hot and fast into my chest as I look at him. “Because kidnapping her is not a fucking option.”
Leo shrugs. “She witnessed you kill the men. She could be giving the police a description of you right as we speak, and that would make things real difficult for you.”
I shake my head hard. “She won’t.”
“How do you know?” Dominik asks.
“She doesn’t talk to anyone!” I snap angrily.
When it looks like Leo’s going to say something else, Santiago holds up his hand, muttering, “We can continue this conversation later.” His gaze locks with mine. “Take a walk with me.”
Just wanting out of the room before I do something stupid, I follow him outside, and Santiago doesn’t say anything as we head toward the trees. Soon, we walk along a trail that leads to God knows where.
Minutes pass, and when he still doesn’t say anything, I ask, “What are you doing?”
“Taking a relaxing walk. It helps me think.”
“About?”
“Shit.” His eyes flick to my face. “Think about all your shit, Enzo. Process what happened because you’re way too fucking wound up right now to hold a conversation.”
Silence falls between us again, and soon enough, I replay everything that happened since I pulled up to the gas station and saw the bastards robbing the place.
At first, I just reacted and killed the two standing outside, but when I stepped into the store and saw Jenna on the floor with blood trickling down the side of her head, it felt like something gripped hold of my heart and squeezed the life from it.
The terror in her eyes is something I never want to see again.
I finally begin to calm down, and when my phone rings, I dig the device out of my pocket. Cassia’s name shows on the screen, and I quickly accept the call. “Are you there?”
“Yes. There are police all over the place, and I can’t get close to Jenna, but she’s sitting at the back of an ambulance, and they’re taking care of her.”
Thank God.
“I’m sending you a photo so you can see for yourself,” Cassia adds. “Wait…” I hold as she goes silent, and after a minute or so, she continues, “The police just tried to talk to her, and it made her have a panic attack. She doesn’t seem to be talking to anyone.”
I close my eyes, once again regretting that I left her behind.
I didn’t take her because it would’ve been suspicious if she just vanished from a crime scene, and I didn’t want to shine a spotlight on her.
Foda-se!
“Enzo?” Cassia asks to get my attention.
“Yeah. I’m here. Thanks for going to the gas station.”
Cassia’s tone is gentle as she says, “I’ll stay until Jenna leaves. Okay?”
I nod, feeling relieved that someone I trust has eyes on Jenna. “I really appreciate it.”
“Talk to you later.”
She ends the call, and I go into my messages, bringing up the photo she sent.
My eyes rove over every inch of Jenna, who looks vulnerable in the back of the ambulance. She has a bandage on the side of her head, and her face is gravely pale, with red blotches covering her neck and collar bones.
“Meu anjinho,” I whisper, wishing I could reach into the photo and pull her to me.
“Want some advice?” Santiago asks where he’s standing with his hands shoved into the pockets of the white slacks he’s wearing.
No matter where the man goes, it always looks like he’s on vacation because of the casual clothes.
“Something tells me you’re going to give me advise whether I want it or not,” I mutter as I meet his eyes.
“You need to take Jenna.”
I shake my head. “That will only add to the trauma she’s already suffered.”
“I’m not saying you should grab her off the street.
” He gives me a patient smile that manages to calm me down a little.
“Lure her to you.” He thinks for a moment.
“Offer her a job.” Suddenly, his face lights up.
“Pretend you need a housekeeper for the house on the lake. That will get her away from people, and the guards can keep an eye on her.”
Impressed with his idea, I begin to nod. “That could actually work.”
“Of course,” he scoffs. “I tend to come up with brilliant ideas. That’s how I get most of the victims I rescue to stay on my compound.”
Santiago has always had a soft spot for victims of sex trafficking. He’s created a small village with all the people he’s saved, and it’s become self-sustainable.
A new worry forms in my mind, and as I start to walk again, I say, “I’m not sure Jenna will be comfortable living with me.”
“That’s why you’ll move here to the motel. Let her have the house to herself. We can put up security cameras so you can keep an eye on her while you deal with the MC.”
When I look at Santiago, he chuckles as he throws his arm around my shoulders. “I know. Another brilliant idea.” His expression grows serious. “You need to take care of the MC. That’s why you came to the States. Once business is dealt with, you can focus on Jenna.”
He's right.
Nodding, I suck in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “Okay.”
“See, family is a good thing to have, Enzo.” We stare at each other for a moment, then he says, “It’s fucking breaking my heart to watch you go through life alone. Let me in, brother. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“I’m used to being on my own,” I admit.
“I know, but it’s time for things to change.”
When he gives me a pleading look, I give in and nod. “Fine.”
A smile splits over his face, and the next instant I’m yanked into a hug.
“You’re pushing your luck,” I grumble, but instead of feeling uncomfortable, it feels…good.
He lets go and pats my shoulder while he glances at the surrounding area, which consists of trees and a fuck-ton of greenery, then he says, “I have no fucking idea where we are.”
“Motel is that way.” I point to our right.
As we begin to walk back, I glance at Santiago. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, brother.”