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Once she was in, he slammed the door, then got back into the driver’s seat and they were off.
She didn’t speak to him. Her phone sat in her lap, and she wanted to call the one person who would understand how she felt at that moment.
The one man.
She picked up the phone and turned it on. Scrolled to his number.
Julián.
She let her index finger hover over it, lips trembling until she bit down.
A choice had needed to be made. And she’d chosen her son.
She wouldn’t regret it. She mustn’t.
Taking a deep breath, she shoved the phone into her handbag and closed her eyes for a moment. If she was being driven to her death, she would do it with a smile on her face because her son had reached out to her, spoken to her.
There could be more to ask for, but she wasn’t greedy. Not now.
Anything.Anythingwas enough.
The drive was a little over half an hour long, and then the driver pulled into a back alley. She took in her surroundings as the driver parked and came around, opening the door and helping her out with one hand.
“Where are we?
“Queens.”
Of course.
The driver motioned to a nondescript door covered with dark green peeling paint. “He’s waiting for you.”
And she didn’t intend to make him wait much longer. She opened the door and strode in. It was the kitchen of a restaurant. The handful of workers going about their business didn’t even glance her way as she walked by.
There was only one entrance she spotted, so she headed for that. Another huge guy, clearly muscle, stood at the door leading into the dining area, and he motioned when he spotted her.
“Over there, ma’am.”
She allowed her gaze to travel where he pointed. The place was deserted except for one table where Israel sat, waiting for her. Seraphina took her time walking over, though it felt as if her legs weren’t working right, and when she finally stood next to him, when he looked up at her, it took everything not to smile.
As she stared at him, he got to his feet and motioned to the chair opposite. “Have a seat.” She did, even though she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
Israel returned to his seat “You want something to drink?” he asked.
She blinked, taking in their surroundings. “Water.” She swallowed. “Water, please.”
Israel met the eyes of someone hidden somewhere and a diminutive woman who appeared to be of Asian descent popped up, wearing a white apron, hands folded in front of her. Israel murmured in her ear and she nodded, then went off.
“This is yours?” Seraphina asked. “This place?”
He nodded. “It is. It’s technically a Jamaican spot, but I brought in a bunch of different people tonight. They’re gonna cook whatever you feel like eating.”
Well, that sounded promising. Maybe he wouldn’t shoot her for breaking his rule. The woman returned, placing a water pitcher and a couple of glasses down on the table between them. Seraphina murmured her thanks and poured out a glass. “Thank you for inviting me,” she said, then drank. “I didn’t know you were in town.”
He shrugged. “My businesses are here and though I don’t need to be, I pop up every now and again. Keep my people on their toes and shit.”
“And Reggie?” Because those two were usually joined at the hip.
Israel’s lips quirked at the question. “You know Reg has a life outside of me, right?”
