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SHE’S CLOSE.
I can feel her warmth from across the near-full room at my brother’s rehearsal dinner two days later, and it’s an indulgence I’ve imbibed in when I know it’s wrong of me to do so. That I’m going to hurt her in the end, at least for a while.
Our timing is off. Our paths have a different timeline, no matter how much I want her.
Wish it were different.
Not when I’ll be leaving the country without a return date after my brother comes home from his honeymoon. When after tomorrow I’ll be in the shadows—out of sight— and life past those stolen moments is an impossibility until I remove all threats. But then again, that’s always been the problem when it comes to Amberlyn. My little sirenita.
I can’t say no. I let our relationship remain hidden for so long, and now, when I’m ready to settle down, I’ll become that asshole once again.
She is my weakness. Always holds me captive with a mere look or the sinful curve of her plump lips.
I’m powerless against her. Can’t fight the ever-present need for a taste.
Like every time I sneak into her bed, and all the ones before that. Because she’s mine.
And because I’m also the man who adores her, yet leaves her just as fast when responsibility calls.
“If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll make us right. But first, I’m going to break your heart again.”
The moment I crossed her threshold, front door closing behind me, I pulled my phone out and pressed number two. It rang twice before an audible click and then the rustle of wind met my ears. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good.” I look down at my shirt and there’s a few specks of blood on it, not much since all it took for a friend of a friend to talk was a single punch to his nose and a warning: speak now or never do so again. “Just had two stops to make before checking in. Everything good on your end?”
“Jaime moved near the old courthouse in one of the new high-rises. Close enough to discourage and get around on foot if need be. Couple of precinct buddies also in that building.”
“Coincidence?” Tucking the phone between my ear and shoulder, I make sure her lock is engaged and check the position of my camera there.
“Nothing in life ever is.”
“Agreed.” I walk down her corridor and toward the stairs, foregoing the elevator. Amberlyn lives on the eighth floor of a posh building with good security, but it’s easily hacked. I’ve done so a few times, and I refuse to leave a single trace of my visit behind. Only we know. “One in Hialeah and the other in Downtown.”
“Good source?”
“Ortega was very cooperative near the end, and the chivato confirmed.”
My brother’s snort is loud. “I bet. Heard you fed the masses.”
“I did, but there’s more to this. Their moves are either overconfident or—”
“You think there’s a third location?” Thiago interrupts, voicing my thoughts. Then there’s what sounds like a lighter sparking from his end. He pulls in deep and exhales just as quick before repeating the process a few times, the action telling me it’s a cigar. More than likely one I brought back from Havana on a prior trip. “It’d make sense.”
“My money is on Homestead. Enough land and farming to hide.”
“Hmmm.” For a few beats he’s silent, but I know my brother. He’s thinking. Planning. “I’ll send someone out tomorrow to have a look.”
“There’s also the matter of the fake money to take care of. That purchase was to test us.”
“You think?”
“Yes.” This one’s personal. He knows Dalian...went to school with the brothers. “I think he’s involved to some degree and also runs out of Hialeah.”
“How soon?”
“Three nights.”
“You think he’ll bounce?” Another exhale, this time slowly.
