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Getting worried, I led him over to the desk so I could dump my stuff off and sit down. “Who said? I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“The guy form the Cordova cartel, Mark.”
I blinked at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. “The Cordova cartel? You mean the Cordova Group?”
He studied me, then frowned. “Yeah, they’ve got a legit business, but everyone knows they’re one of the biggest cartels in the US.”
“You’re trying to tell me Judith and Jose Cordova are leaders of a cartel?”
Looking worried, Devonlin shook his head quickly. “Uh, no, I must be wrong. Was thinkin’ of someone else.”
“Don’t lie to me,” I snapped as my head began to pound. “You said cartel, and you meant it.”
He took a step toward me, his hand outstretched. “Ms. Holtz, you okay?”
My lungs refused to expand enough for me to take a deep breath, and my voice came out weak as I said, “You said someone came to visit you, who?”
“I’ve got the guy’s card right here in my wallet. Guy named Mark Lake. You know him?”
“He’s…he was my roommate. Oh my God, my roommate is a criminal.”
“Don’t freak out, Ms. Holtz. The Cordova cartel isn’t bad. They ain’t exactly good, but they take care of their people, and they’re gonna keep me safe from the Santiago cartel. Gonna keep them off my back, so I can focus on football. And they didn’t want anything in return, just for me to have a chance at a better life.” His eyes lit up and he smiled, huge. “And they’re helpin’ my mom, getting her the kind of medicine she needs. You should see her now, Ms. Holtz. She’s got hope of livin’ long enough to see me play in the pros. All thanks to you. Mark said you told him about my situation, and he thought it was a damn shame that life had dealt me such a shit hand. He’s a really cool guy. He even brought tons of groceries with him and clothes for my mom.”
While all of that was wonderful, I was still having a meltdown as I faced all the truths I’d tried to hide from myself, all the things I’d tried to explain away. Yeah, I’d told Mark about Devonlin, but I was hoping he’d have some kind of security suggestions, or would know someone who could help the kid. Somewhere, down deep, I knew something wasn’t right about the Cordova family, but I never imagined that they were a cartel. I watched the news, and I wasn’t naïve. I knew our country was run as much by criminals as it was by the government, but I never imagined I’d fall in love with a crime lord.
Shit, that was the reason why Manny and his goons had freaked out when they realized who Hannah was dating. Leo must be high ranking in the cartel, he was the reason those men beat us. As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I dismissed it. Kayla brought those men into the house, not Leo. I had a feeling our fate was sealed the moment they crossed the threshold, regardless of any connection Hannah had to the Cordova cartel.
Shit, what kind of bad stuff was Ramón into? Did he deal drugs? Did he addict little kids to crack? Did he sell guns? Worse yet…did the Cordova cartel traffic women?
My skin prickled with stinging sweat, and I suddenly felt cold as I hunched over, my stomach cramping.
Devonlin caught me easily and sat me on the desk, propping me up as my mind short circuited. “Whoa, Ms. Holtz, are you okay?”
No, I wasn’t okay.
So, so far from okay.
I tried to take a deep breath, but my anxiety made it feel like I was drowning. “I-I…I have to go.”
“I don’t think you should go anywhere. You don’t look so good. Stay here, we’ll get you some water, okay?”
I stumbled out of his arms, glad for once I’d worn sensible ballet flats instead of sky high heels. “I have to go.”
He kept protesting as I grabbed my stuff and practically ran out of the room, wanting to get to at least the safety of my car before I lost it. I could feel the panic attack creeping up on me, working to convince me I was dying, wanting to rob me of my strength. A few people wandering the halls started at me as I sprinted past, my satchel and purse thumping against my body, but I ignored their whispers and stares.
I hit the doors with a bang and flat out sprinted across the lot. I didn’t feel anything, the hot pavement beneath my feet, the burning sun overhead, my breath tearing from my body in pained sobs. My mind was a whirling mess of guilt, anger, betrayal, and sadness. I wasn’t paying attention to anything at all when, out of nowhere, someone grabbed me then shoved me into a waiting car, my scream cutting off as the door slammed behind us.
