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“I’m not afraid of them,” I say but I’m not sure it’s true. If someone was following me, I was clueless. There’s only one reason she’d have me followed. I’m an easy target—and if they want to get to Santos, I’m also the perfect target.
I’m being naïve to think I’m safe. I know the world the Avery and the Augustine families come from. He removed me from it over the last two years, and our seven days in Hells Bells have made me forget. But I can’t lose sight of what these people are capable of. If I needed a brutal reminder of that, then I got one at the lighthouse.
“Don’t worry, Madelena. Let’s get you to the lawyer’s office,” he says absently as his phone rings. I see it’s Val before he answers. “Yeah.”
Val speaks but I can’t hear what he says. I watch Santos’s face though, as his jaw tightens, and his eyes narrow infinitesimally.
“When did that happen?” he asks. Val answers but I can’t hear it. “Look into that for me. I want all the details.” He glances at me, then turns away. They talk about increasing security at the house, and he disconnects as we pull into the parking lot of the building that houses Uncle Jax’s attorney’s offices.
“What is it?” I ask.
He shakes his head, rubbing the spot between his eyebrows like he’s getting a headache. “Let’s get this done,” Santos says, getting out of the car without answering. Odin pulls into the lot as I’m slipping out, Santos’s hand firm around my arm. Soldiers flank us as Santos leads me inside without waiting for Odin.
As soon as we enter, a receptionist looks up from her large desk.
“My wife has an appointment with Mr. Jamison,” Santos says before I can speak.
The woman smiles. “Ms. De Léon.”
“Mrs. Augustine,” Santos corrects.
“Relax,” I tell Santos.
He turns to me and opens his mouth, but she clears her throat, and he forces a tight smile in her direction. I’d say her gaze becomes a little more panicked when she sees that smile. She apologizes for her mistake.
“I’ll let Mr. Jamison know.”
Odin enters just then and comes to stand at my side only once the soldier gets the okay from Santos to allow him.
“What are you doing?” I whisper to Santos. “Tell them to move away from me. And let go of my arm. I’m your wife, remember? Not your prisoner.”
He grits his teeth, but before he can do anything, the office door opens and a man I assume is Mr. Jamison steps out into the reception area and walks toward us. He takes in the collected men and only momentarily shows concern. I wonder if he’s used to this sort of thing.
“Mrs. Augustine,” he says, clearly having been forewarned by the receptionist. “It’s wonderful to meet you.” He shakes my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Jamison. Um, this is my husband, Santos Augustine.”
“Mr. Augustine,” he says with a smile and a handshake. “Odin.” He nods to Odin with whom he does not shake hands because of the number of soldiers between them. “I’m afraid only the De Léon siblings will be able to be present. It was a requirement from your uncle,” he says that last part to me and Odin.
“Probably for Dad,” I tell Santos. “It’s fine. You can wait for me.”
“I don’t like this,” Santos says.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll be right there.” I point to the office.
“Check the room,” Santos tells two soldiers who walk past Mr. Jamison and do just that.
Mr. Jamison’s eyebrows rise but he doesn’t comment.
Once Santos’s men give him the all-clear, Mr. Jamison clears his throat and gestures to the office.
“Are you going to charge in all Rambo style?” I ask Santos when he loosens his grip on me.
He just gestures to the office with a jerk of his head. I roll my eyes and walk into the office followed by Odin and Mr. Jamison. Before Mr. Jamison closes the door, I see Santos settle himself in the middle of the large leather sofa in the waiting room, and from the window, I see the heads of two of his men.
“What was that?” Odin asks.
I shrug as Mr. Jamison settles into his seat and opens a folder. “Something with the Avery family. I guess they’re having me followed.”
