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Though it seems to have gotten the notice of someone. Heavy footsteps still near the door of this room, and a voice rings out, “That was a very dangerous stunt you pulled, Lupe.” It’s Jaguar’s. Lurking within the low notes is the first sign of real anger in him I think I’ve sensed. Those glimpses of it before were nothing. Mirages. His real fury is as potent as a wildfire and just as reckless. “I knew you were spicy, but foolish? That I did not have on my bingo card.”
“And I didn’t know you were this sadistic,” I rasp without lifting my head. “You and he have plenty in common. I’m sure you bonded over that.”
It’s pathetic. I can’t even say his name.
“Again, with Braulio.” Jaguar makes a low sound in his throat, too guttural to be laughter. “You might be pleased to know that he went into hiding after that display last night—but I think you have me mistaken, chica. You were the one conspiring with thatpendejoagainst me. I would appreciate it if you would come clean.”
He means it, and I realize how much of an idiot I’ve been, letting him wind me up like a toy and watch me go.
No more.
“If I were working with Braulio, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to fool you. I’d leave the damn country. A plan as reckless as playing with your accountant was doomed to fail. Only a fucking idiot would think otherwise.”
And perhaps that was exactly what Tiena has done if she’s still alive. Flee. Leave behind her own son because she couldn’t risk being tracked by anyone. Not even me.
“An idiot,ora clever little whore. You thought that sexy mouth could fool me,” Jaguar says when I fall silent. “You thought I was a stupid, mindless fucker like the many assholes you’ve screwed. Didn’t you?”
The bed dips alarmingly, and I picture him climbing onto it, reaching for me. His palm slips beneath my borrowed shirt to strike my bare ass, but nowhere near hard enough to hurt. He grips the globe of it instead, his hand’s calloused, rippling with lethal tension.
“Come clean, chica. I’m sure you can make it up to me.” His voice drips into my ear, his breath on my cheek. “What was it you said last night? I’ll only ever have pieces of you. Funny. The first night you came to me, you told me I could have all of you. Was that never in Braulio’s grand plan?”
“I’m tired, Jaguar.” Truly, I am. Clearly too tired to play the role of frightened captive he seems to crave. “Just call him back and drop the charade.”
I’m not talking about Braulio.
“I’m surprised he let you keep me this long,” I add. Sharing was never Diego’s forte.
Almost a decade freed from his influence, yet I clearly remember what it was like under his spell. The role to take on. The right words to say. How to cower. My body employs those tactics now against Jaguar purely out of habit. I hunch away from him and tense against his touch.
And he takes offense to that. His scoff alone conveys that, at least in this instance, he isn’t fucking around. Neither Braulio nor Diego is here. Odd.
“It seems we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot again,” he says. “Look at me.”
The bed shifts again, and his hand latches onto my wrist, hauling me upright. It hurts. My head is on fire, my back a searing inferno of agony. He makes me face him, anyway, perched on the end of the bed while he crouches on one knee. Already resting at his feet is a partially opened first-aid kit. Was the blond I saw earlier the one who bandaged me?
Without revealing as much, Jaguar fishes a clean rag from the case and reaches for my chin.
“Let’s start over, shall we?” He dabs at my forehead, and I can’t silence a wince. It’s the source of the pain radiating throughout the rest of my skull. “I am Julian Domingas, and you are?”
I don’t answer him, eyeing his face instead. His eyes betray the anger his voice conceals. They’re burning like coals, radiating energy that jolts through me.
“Answer me, chica,” he warns, still dabbing at my throbbing forehead. “And you are?”
“Skeptical, Jaguar,” I say.
“Still so feisty. Lift your chin.” He dabs at my neck next with surprisingly gentle motions. I’m not fooled. “Good girl. So sweet when you listen. I’m warning you to play nice with me—” he pauses his ministrations. “I’ll make it worth your while. Third time’s the charm? I am Julian, and you are—”
“Lupe,” I croak, carefully gauging his reaction. He doesn’t snicker or laugh. He doesn’t raise an eyebrow and mention Diego.
He just nods. “Pleased to meet you. Would you like to form analliancewith me, Lupe?”
He makes that word sound so dangerous my entire body quakes.
“I don’t know, Jaguar,” I mutter, avoiding his latest attempt with the rag. “If it means getting up close and personal again with your friend, Gatita, I think I’ll have to pass.”
He chuckles and deliberately presses the rag against my temple. “Oh, chica. Being my ally means being under my protection. From Braulio. From anyone who would seek to harm you. Your family would become my family and vice versa.”
And Franco would be in his orbit, a tool at his discretion. It’s funny how that only sinks in now. And behind it all, Diego will be pulling the strings, of course.
