Page 84 of Frost and Venom

She nodded as he took the seat beside her. “I sent the text to Larado…”

“Late. He was already in position. We had far more alarms than Delgotto found and dismantled. He did have an entry point to the studio we didn’t know about, thanks to Guadalupe. My men were already in position. They followed him into the studio using the same entrance.”

Wilder hadn’t been in her studio, but Larado had probably given him a blow-by-blow account. She knew Salvadore had thought he’d dismantled all security cameras, but he was wrong. Wilder and Rainier had destroyed the footage. She was certain both had viewed it from every angle multiple times. She knew they had been protecting her, but she liked to think they were protecting Salvadore as well.

“Guadalupe makes me so sad. Their lives were so screwed up thanks to the senator and my mother. Salvadore avoided talking about them for the most part, but when he did, I could feel the rage in him. That hatred runs deep. Honestly, Wilder, I can’t blame him.”

“I can’t say I don’t understand because I do,” Wilder admitted. “I felt that way toward my father and his men.”

“I appreciate your understanding so much.”

“I knew both of you needed a sit-down. If he didn’t get one, he was going to keep coming back or I was going to have to kill him. I don’t want a war with the Delgotto Cartel. And I don’t want you to have to get up every morning and go to bed every night knowing I killed your brother.”

She didn’t want that either. “I’m not going to pretend that I wasn’t afraid when he first showed himself. I saw Misha on the floor and thought he’d killed her. Guadalupe was so certain he was going to kill me. I did send the text to Larado at that point, but I hadn’t gotten my gun from the drawer and loaded it.”

“We’ll be addressing that at some point. Larado should have been kept informed. He was your security and responsible for you.”

She sent him a quick look from under her lashes, hoping her atrocious sense of humor wasn’t showing. “Since he was already watching my every move, I’d say he was probably better informed than I was.”

A slow smile curved his mouth, but she noticed it didn’t reach his eyes. “When it comes to your security, woman, I’m not going to compromise. Or apologize.”

“I’m well aware. And I did try to do the right thing. I was determined to stay alive. But honestly, I didn’t feel threatened by him.”

“People rarely feel threatened by me, Harlow. I can assure you that is an asset to me and to him. Your brother is every bit as dangerous as Rainier.”

“Or you.”

He shrugged.

“I asked him how, after what happened to his mother, he could condone human trafficking. I understand that he was raised with all the other things, and more than likely, drug trafficking and arms dealing are second nature and don’t feel like crimes to him. But human trafficking? After what he saw his mother go through? That made no sense to me. It’s clear he loves her, that they’re very close, so I had a very hard time understanding.”

“What did he say?”

“I felt very brave asking the question, especially with Guadalupe in the room. He kind of shrugged. No expression; he just said he wasn’t in a position to make the policies. And then he added, yet. I took that to mean if he is the one to inherit when the reigning Delgotto dies, he will end human trafficking. That might be wishful thinking, but I’m going to hold on to that hope.”

“He’s right. He can’t go against the established rules. They would kill him. When he takes over, he’ll have a target on his back. He’s going to keep you and his mother as far from him as possible. You have to be okay with that, Harlow. It isn’t just for your protection, but his as well.”

She nodded. “He made me aware.”

“And you have to respect that decision.”

“I know. I don’t have to like it, but I’m aware of the risks to him and to us. Guadalupe is going to stay here. She’s made a life for herself here. He’ll always keep in touch with her, and I’ll be able to know what’s going on in his life through her.” She stated it, testing his reaction.

“We’ll just have to extend security to her as well. She may not like it, but if she’s going to be in your life, she’ll have to accept it.”

There was that tone. The one she knew she couldn’t argue with. “That’s reasonable.” Because it was.

“I need to tell you something important, Harlow,” Wilder said, turning completely toward her.

Something in his entire demeanor set her heart pounding. As serious as the talk was that she’d had with her brother, she could see this was equally as grim. She studied his face. Something was wrong, but whatever it was didn’t affect him too much. He was worried about her, about her reaction. Every time she just looked at Wilder, her heart accelerated and butterflies took wing in her stomach.

“Is it my parents? Was the senator finally arrested?” She wanted him to come out with it. She wanted justice for all the young girls he’d hurt, for Oliva Dunstin, the sixteen-year-old girl who had vanished without a trace. The fallout would be horrendous, but well worth it if the senator’s crimes came to light.

“This has nothing to do with your parents. News came in that tonight, sadly, Elliot Blom suffered a massive heart attack and died. It was unexpected. From what I understand, no one was aware he had heart issues. Zale is telling Vienna now. You’ll have to call her in the morning.”

Harlow could only stare at him. “A heart attack?” she repeated.

His expression didn’t change. “A terrible tragedy for our country.”