64

Shit. Darrien looked toward the garden doors, So what are we going to do next Boss ?
I lifted my chin back toward the end of the hall, I’m going to go finish talking with Eva. You stay with Darrell tonight and keep him away from the bottle. If you have to, send for me and we’ll drag him down to the interrogation room and cuff him to the wall.
Darrien sighed out, Hopefully it won’t come down to that. Maybe knowing that Lea is counting on us will keep him from going that route again.
I hope you’re right.
Darrien side-stepped me and pushed the doors to the garden open. I made my way back to the interrogation room and keyed in my code.
Eva had her head laid back against the wall, tears running silently down her face.
Eva. She jerked her head in my direction.
I think I fucked up Boss. Her voice was barely audible.
I wasn’t buying into her remorseful words. You think Eva ? You think ? I trusted you. But more importantly, Lea trusted you.
I know. Her eyes met mine, Tell me what I can do to make it right.
Tell me what Victoria and Miguel are planning.
Eva was quiet for a moment. I wanted you dead. Victoria wants the power back that you have taken from her ever since she killed your father. She hung her head as she continued, And Miguel just wants it all. When you brought Lea home, everyone could see how much you cared for her. As the days turned into weeks, it had become obvious that Lea was starting to feel the same for you. That night at the club proved it to everyone.
I called Miguel after I saw you with Lea that first night and told him that we finally had someone we could use against you. He called Victoria and the two made a deal that would allow all three of us to get what we wanted. But getting Lea away from you and the guards had proved to be more difficult than we thought.
I encased Eva’s body with mine, You. Are. Still. Not. Telling. Me. What. I. Want. To. Know.
I knew the way Eva kept talking around the subject was why she was good at the jobs she had been assigned, but I was quickly losing patience with her.
What. Are. They. Planning ?
Eva’s voice came out breathless at our closeness. They are going to use Lea to lure you from the house.
The way her body reacted to me made me sick knowing that I had once had her in my bed. I pushed the memory aside and stepped back. And then ?
Eva looked up and met my eyes, her words a whisper, They’re going to kill you both.
Lea’s P. O. V.
I showered and changed into the black dress and flats that were in the bag given to me. I didn’t have a choice as Miller’s blood had stained my pants and shirt. The dress was casual and I didn’t have any make up, so I decided to throw my still damp hair into a messy bun.
I jumped as a knock sounded on the bath door. Time to go.
I flung the door open and pushed past watchdog number one. I stopped and looked over my shoulder at him, What is your name ?
None of your business.
I chuckled and crossed my arms over my chest, Really ? It’s been my experience that people who call themselves None Of Your Business are nothing but overgrown monkey asses.
The guard turned and before I could blink, had me pinned against the wall, a hand on either side of my shoulders. There was no warmth or excitement coursing through me from the aggressive action as there had been with Carter.
He leaned in and brushed his mouth next to my ear, They weren’t lying when they said you were an annoying little shit.
I wanted to ask who he was referring to but footsteps stopping outside the room door and the sound of the knob turning stopped me.
He pulled back slightly as the door opened, his tone going cold once more has he spoke, You really should learn to control that mouth yours girl. He ran a hand down the length of my arm causing me to shudder, Because If you don’t, I’m sure I can find a much better use for it.
Emilio, let her go. Victoria walked into the room. Miguel doesn’t deal with spoiled and damaged goods.
I felt my face betray me as it fell.
Oh, Victoria walked slowly to where I was still pinned to the wall, her smirk widening into a wicked grin as she stood beside Emilio. I see you’ve heard the name. Let me guess, Carter warned you about him.
I didn’t acknowledge Victoria as I watched her every move.
Come, Lea. We have a stop to make before we head to your final destination.
Emilio dropped his arms but didn’t move. I slid sideways down the wall, away from the guard, and quietly followed Victoria to the elevator, both guards following closely behind.
The shower had washed away the shock of Miller being shot and as we walked, I took the time to really look around my surrounding. I noticed the name of the hotel and stopped in my tracks, a sense of dread slowly filling me.
Victoria sensed I had stopped and slowly spun. She let her eyes trail over my frozen body, enjoying my obvious discomfort.
Why are we here ?
I had always planned on coming back to my hometown one day, when I knew I was ready to face my past, but that day wasn’t today, or tomorrow for that matter. I clenched my jaw and steeled myself for Victoria’s answer.
Cecily’s birthday is tomorrow, isn’t it ?
I didn’t answer. The cruelty of this woman never ceased to amaze me. I raised my hand to my neck and fingered the pendant Lynx had given me. I knew that if I pressed the center diamond, it would activate the tracker so that Carter would know where I was. But I also knew that if I did that, then it would lead him and the rest of the guys I had grown found of straight into Victoria’s trap.
Why are you doing this Victoria ? I fought to keep the pain from my voice. You could hand me over to Miguel right now, break Carter, and take the organization for yourself.
I watched as a look I hadn’t seen in Victoria beore flashed through her eyes. It was fleeting but it had been there.
You’re threatened by me being in the house, I whispered as the realization hit me.
Victoria let out a sarcastic laugh, In your dreams Lea. You can’t beat me even if I were on my deathbed.
I shook my head, I don’t mean physically threatened, Victoria. I mean emotionally threatened. I cause Carter to feel things, for what ever God forsaken reason, you never could. And now that you have taken me, you know you have lost him for good, that there is absolutely no way in hell that he will ever feel anything other than pure raw hatred for you.