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“If you don’t, they’ll come after you and Gabriel.”
Whatever held me together snapped. “You put yourself in this position. Not me. You exposed my son to these people. He’s your nephew. I’m your sister. You should’ve cared enough to keep us out of it.”
Carlos offered his hand and I took it, grateful for the support. He squeezed, opened his mouth to say something, and then closed it.
“I need eighty grand tomorrow. In cash. I’ll let you know where to meet us.”
Had he not heard a word I said?
“I don’t have eighty thousand dollars,” I shouted. And even if I did, would I use it to save him at the expense of Gabriel?
“You’re so greedy. You’ve got that fancy job and make all that money, and you won’t even help me out.”
“Tell him you’ll meet him,” Carlos said in a low rumble. My eyes bulged, and he nodded. I shook my head. “Trust me.”
I tightened my grip on his hand. He’d told me things he could’ve kept hidden. And even though they were horrible things, I had no doubt they were the truth. The one thing Carlos had proved over and over again was I could trust him.
“What time?”
“You’ll do it?” His exuberance was contagious, but he’d end up disappointed. I didn’t have the money, and I wouldn’t let Carlos pay these people either. Why? Why had my brother led whoever had him under their thumb to believe I had the money?Who does that to their sister and nephew?Carlos was wrong. He wasn’t a monster. My brother was.
“When will I hear from you?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. I’ll call you.” He hung up, and I dropped my chin to my chest.
In essence, I’d agreed to save his ass, and he hadn’t even said thank you.
“I won’t let you give him the money,” I said to the floor.
A strong, rough hand caressed my cheek. That hand had taken a life, more than one, yet it made me feel safer than anything ever had.
“I will see to him.”
I looked at Carlos. “I’d rather you stay here and protect Gabriel.”
His thumb swiped over my cheekbone. “I won’t leave his side.”
I rested my hand on top of his. “I feel like whether he lives or dies is in my hands. How do I live with that?”
“You focus on Gabriel and what’s best for him. The same as you’ve always done.”
“Should I call the police?” I didn’t want to be in trouble for harboring a fugitive.
“Not now. Donato will help us figure out what is best.” He drifted his hand down my neck, and I shuddered. “Let’s go to bed.”
“You’re on the couch.” I wouldn’t bother arguing about him staying with us when I wanted him to. For our safety and nothing else.Liar.
“I don’t think so.”
He placed a hand on the small of my back and led me to the bedroom. Anticipation bubbled inside my chest. This wasn’t the time to be thinking about getting lost in him, but I couldn’t help the effect he had on me. When we were together, he gave me strength.
Watching him shed his sweater did nothing to squelch my growing desire. The gun he pulled from his waistband and slipped under the mattress cooled me. But I understood the need for the weapon and didn’t have the energy to argue.
When I crawled in bed, he reached over and turned off the lights. We lay there in silence for what felt like an hour, neither of us touching. All I craved was to crawl into his arms and sleep.
“You’re not a monster,” I said into the dark.
He didn’t speak for so long that I thought he was asleep. I rolled to my side, facing away from him. He scooped my body against his warm one like a shield.
