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Chapter Forty-Five
Maceo
Coordinates to the meeting site bring us to a clearing outside the overgrown forest. The ground has been stripped clean of vegetation, ready to be tilled after the wet season.
We arrive early to scope out the territory. The lay of the land doesn’t give us an advantage—it’s too open and flat to set up an ambush. It’s neutral ground, and it pisses me off. Not that I’m surprised that Esteban had thought to cover his ass, but I’d hoped for something to give us an edge.
Gauge stands next to me, gripping his gun. “I don’t like this, Atlas.”
“Doesn’t matter. We knew this was the outcome,” I mutter, looking off into the horizon. “We stick to the plan. I switch places with Josephine. You get her to safety before coming after me.”
Gauge huffs at my side. “Yeah, bro. Piero better come through for us.”
“He will,” I say firmly.
Chase comes to stand by us. “You hear that?”
I strain my ears and hear the telltale signs of a helo. “Chopper,” I say.
As if Piero heard my VP doubting him, he delivered. It’s one less thing to worry about.
I glance over my shoulder at Punk, hanging back a few paces with his face set in stone. “You know the drill.”
He nods. “Protect Josephine and get her the fuck out.”
I stare at him a little longer, my final order silently being conveyed through the static in the air.
Punk’s nostrils flare. He’s not happy with me, but he nods. Our agreement is still in place.
“There,” Stage points to the horizon.
The rumblings of engines indicate vehicles approaching. My chariot arrives, along with Josephine.
I swallow my fears, straightening my shoulders. There’s no going back and no way around it. This is how it must be.
Josephine will lose it once she figures out what’s happening. She can’t know until the last second. Punk will cover her ‘till they get her to safety.
Ten jeeps loaded with men and firearms approach. The first seven create a wall of defense, separating us from Esteban’s jeep. Through the windows, I can see Josephine sitting next to him. My heart thunders in my chest with a ferocity I’ve never experienced before.
So close yet, so far.
She looks unmarred, healthy, and well taken care of. But appearances can be deceiving. One glance at her elfin face and I see her fear clear as day. Her gemlike eyes are locked on me.
I take her in, letting her beautiful vision fill me with what may be the last image I see of her.
Her lips move, too far away for me to hear her.Maceo.
“I’m here, baby.”
Her eyes start swimming in moisture, hope taking over her face.
My chest aches. What I’m about to do will break her heart. But she’ll be free. Our boys will be safe.
Esteban exits the jeep and holds out his hand for Josephine. She bares her teeth at him, refusing to accept his help. I want to laugh and cry at the same time. She hasn’t lost any of her stubbornness while in his imprisonment. I hope she gave him hell. Knowing my woman, she most certainly did.
When she’s out of the vehicle, Esteban grips her elbow, tugging her forward. Esteban’s bodyguards create a wall around them as they approach, placing another barrier to prevent me from properly seeing my woman.
“Bienvenido mi hijo,” Esteban calls out from behind his defenses.
