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She fell to her knees, then fitted herself against him and looked down into his face. “I thought I had lost you.”
“Shh.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m here, but clearly this shit isn’t over.”
She might still lose him.
Laila surged forward, pressing her lips to his battered ones gently, aware of Matt raising Trees’s limp arm as he pumped it in small, sharp circles.
Trees stiffened and roared into their kiss, pressing against her lips so hard she swore hers would bruise, but she didn’t pull away until Matt stepped back.
Breathing hard, Trees groaned and got to his feet, rolling his shoulder experimentally. He gave Matt a thumbs-up. “Thanks.”
The cowboy nodded. “Let’s go.”
“As soon as I get Laila someplace safe.”
“By then, it will be too late,” she argued, ensuring the safety on the gun was off. “I can help.”
“The hell you will, woman.”
“She’s not a fragile doll, man. And we don’t have time to find the fucking way out of here or to argue.”
Trees swore heartily but grabbed her hand and climbed the stairs. “Stay behind me.”
“I will.” Unless he needed help. Until it no longer made sense.
Her heart pounded as they ascended and reached the main area at the front of the hospital. Everything and everyone had fallen quiet. Were they all dead?
Then Logan appeared, looking relieved as hell. He pressed a finger to his lips, then tipped his head toward the middle of the room.
“You want to negotiate or you want me to blow your brains out?” Hunter growled.
Federico’s face was twisted with anger and dark with defeat. “Tell me what you want.”
“All shooting stops. Now.”
“Fine—if you and your operatives get your business out of my cartel.” Montilla’s successor spit at Hunter’s feet. “And do not come back.”
“As long as you agree to leave Valeria, Laila, and Jorge alone for good. No coming after them, no stalking, no threatening, no—”
“They were Montilla’s concerns, and he is dead. That makes me boss now. Those women are not my whores, the kid is not my son, and I am not a foolish, sentimental old man. If they swear to stay far away from all things related to the business, I will not bother them.”
“We want money,” Laila called out. “For our years of suffering.”
Trees cursed under his breath. “You’re playing with fire…”
“I am making sure my sister is secure.” She tried to untangle her fingers from his and face down Federico.
Trees was having none of that, protecting her with his own body as he led her to the new drug lord.
“How much?” Federico sneered.
“Five million.” The amount was a pittance to an operation like Tierra Caliente but everything to her family. “Cash.”
Federico didn’t even blink. “If you and your sister agree to relinquish any right to future profits, yes.”
“We will.” Gladly. She wanted no part of that life. Valeria would agree.
“And everyone walks out of here alive. We all go our separate ways without another shot being fired or another punch being thrown?” Hunter pressed. “Without any vendettas being issued.”
“Agreed…in exchange for the other concession you promised. I want Victor Ramos.”
Of course he did. Victor had been trying to undermine the senior Montilla and the Tierra Caliente hierarchy since Emilo died, not merely because he’d hated the old man. He’d wanted the power for himself. Naturally, the new management of the organization wouldn’t stand for that. They would want Victor snuffed out at all costs.
He deserved it.
“Done,” Laila answered.
Hunter jerked his stare in her direction.
She raised a brow back at him. “What use do you have for him? Did you think to turn him over to your American justice system where justice is almost never served? Where he could too easily use his money and pull strings to walk free so he can continue to torment me?”
Hunter hesitated, then glanced at Logan and Joaquin. When they both nodded, he scowled. “Fine. You and all your boys disarm. Let us get our wounded out. You can do the same. We’ll be back with Victor.”
Federico nodded, then met her stare. “I can have the cash brought here as well. Then I expect never to see you, your sister, or your nephew ever again.”
“Nothing would make us happier.”
