LOGINESTEBAN“What was the meaning of that shit you pulled out there?” I asked through clenched teeth.“I assure you, Boss, I wasn’t trying anything. It was just as she said.”“Boss?” I scoffed.“Don,” he corrected. “Trust me, I have no interest in your woman—Caitlin.” He cleared his throat and drew out a chair.Sitting down, he pulled out his phone from his pocket.“What is it you want to show me?” I asked, eying him curiously.“It has to do with your girl.”It was obvious he was trying to be funny, but ‘my girl’ was quite pleasant to my ears.“Caitlin…” I muttered, drumming my fingers absently on the desk. Then I recalled what I—we had had on that desk.“Don? Don, can you hear me?” Gustavo asked, waving a hand in my face.“What?” I asked, clearing my throat.“There is footage of Miss Stevens—suspicious footage.”“And?” I asked sharply.Gustavo looked at me with wide eyes, mouth open.“My patience runs thin, Gustavo, and you're testing it.”“Of course.” He handed me his phone. “Go through
CAITLINClicking the record button, I began to talk about the attack on the hospital—the little I knew. Then I paused.“Did you have anything to do with it?” I blurted out.Why did I care?Sighing softly, I asked the question that had been at the tip of my tongue.“How’s Viv?”A part of me wanted to start begging all over again, but knew that wouldn’t work. The last thing I wanted to do was trigger the insane bastard.I ended the recording and leaned back in the chair, wondering how he was going to respond. And how long?I waited for what seemed like forever, still, no response.Turning off the little recorder, I tucked it in the cloth and put it under the bed. Then I walked out of the room, going face first into a human wall.“Ouch!” I hissed as pain spread across my forehead.I instinctively moved back, but my flip-flop slipped beneath my feet, making me stumble. A strong hand caught my arm and steadied me.“Thank you. I—” I paused, staring up into Gustavo’s face. His glare was simi
ESTEBANDrumming my fingers on the table, I looked at the woman before me. Dried streaks of tears mixed with mascara gave her a hideous look. The last time we had sat like this, I had let her go, but this time, I wasn’t going to make the same mistake.Putting a finger under my mask, I scratched my itching scar.“I will ask you one more time,” I said calmly, my face expressionless, but my patience was running thin.She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Tears rolled down her cheeks.She seemed broken…sorry, but for what? For getting caught? Back in the cabin, she looked pretty much excited about getting her hands on my cousin. As much as I couldn’t trust her, I knew there was more to her actions. From Fabian’s report, she was hysterical when she found out how Victor died.So, how did she think he died?“Were you raped by my men?” I asked quietly.“No,” she answered quickly.“Then who?”She looked at me, fresh tears falling from her eyes. I clenched my teeth in irritation. If it
CAITLINStrong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close. Esteban nuzzled my neck, muttering a soft, “good morning.”His hard cock pressed hard against my backside. I went still. For some reason, I expected him to act different towards me. I could have sworn he was suspicious of me. Or did I imagine that?His hand slid under my dress, caressing my hips. I turned my head to meet his gaze. His eyes were hooded, lips parted as his gaze lingered on my lips. I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them back, letting them adjust to the light spilling through the windows.“Esteban…” I whispered, knowing exactly what that look meant.He pressed his lips on mine, his tongue hot, desperate—dominating. His hand slid up to my breast, pinching my nipple. I gasped in his mouth. He hovered over me, making me lie with my back pressed on the mattress.Nudging my legs apart, he pulled my dress over my head. I cupped his face with my hands and kissed him, letting him feel just how much I wanted him. H
CAITLIN “Stop!” Esteban's voice cut through stiff air. He looked like a mess. Dark smoke smeared on his face, and his eyes looked dull and sunken. Miranda rushed over to her son, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. She sobbed softly—a cry of relief. Pulling back, she dried her eyes and stared into her son’s face. “Memo?” she asked softly. Eliana, however, sat quietly, tears streaming down her face. “I didn’t get to see him,” she whispered. “Because, little cousin, he wasn’t there.” Esteban’s voice betrayed his fatigue. Eliana’s gaze shifted. She stared hard at Esteban, tilting her head to the side. “What do you mean?” she asked. He placed his hands on Miranda’s shoulders, pressed a kiss on her hair and murmured something in Spanish to her. Then he walked towards me—us—me and Eliana. He gave me a half smile, but his eyes were so dull, I couldn't tell if it was forced or real. Esteban crouched down beside me, in front of Eliana. Taking her hand in his, he patted her f
ESTEBANOn the list of things I could never do, doubting my instinct is one. I puffed out more smoke, staring blindly into the night. The cool air did little in calming my nerves.“Someone who wants me down,” I scoffed, recalling Fabian’s words.There seemed to be a lot of people who wanted me gone, but a few who would actually make a move towards getting it done.I opened my phone and went through the updates on the sales of Scott’s assets. The Greystones had offered a price—cheap-ass money. What were they thinking? That this was some charity auction where you start with the lowest bid?The plan was going well, yet something didn’t just seem right. The Greys seemed a little too relaxed for people who had done everything possible to get their hands on those assets.Realization hit me. Either they knew the plot, got info from their pardoned allies or had a plan of their own. I dialed Fabian’s number.He picked up on the second ring.“Don?” his croaky voice came through the speaker.“Li







