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His eyes narrowed. “Did you just stomp your foot at me?”
“Maybe. But you won’t listen.” She tugged at her hair until the pain cleared the fog in her mind.
That was better.
“Catarina!” he said sharply just as Doomy walked in carrying one of her Little baby bottles. “No hurting yourself.”
Doomy left quickly and she sighed.
“I wasn’t hurting myself, Papi.”
“Yes, you were. And it’s unacceptable. Come here.”
When she’d gotten out of the bath, one of his shirts along with some fluffy socks had been waiting for her to get dressed in. He’d obviously told Doomy to set them out for her. He was always taking care of her. Even when he was the one who needed looking after.
She sat on the bed facing him.
“Pequeña mocosa,” he said sternly. “You will do as your Papi says. You will not argue with him when it comes to your health. And you will not harm yourself, ¿comprendes?”
“Sorry, Papi.”
“That’s twenty when I’m feeling well enough to spank you.”
She gasped. “Twenty?”
“Yes. Argue again and I will add more.”
“I is sorry, Papi. I didn’t means to be naughty.”
“Shh, I know you didn’t. You’re my good girl. But you’ve been under a lot of pressure and I just want to help you. Understand?”
“Si, Papi.”
“Good girl. Now lie beside me. Where are Roger and Snuggly? And your pacifier?”
She grabbed all of them and climbed into bed, lying down next to him.
“Unfortunately, I can’t give you your bottle. You’ll have to hold it. But I am right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Promise.”
“I promise. I love you, Catarina De Leon. You’re stuck with me forever.”
“I can’t argue about that.”
38
Cat was nervous as she sat in the back of the car with Alejandro. They drove up to the meeting place. They were meeting in the middle of freaking nowhere.
Just some mountains off in the distance, dirt, and a whole lot of cacti.
There was another car with them, transporting Ortega and Dante. Cairn and The Scot were in the front of their vehicle, while Dante had two of his men with him.
That was the agreement that each side would only have eight people.
They were here to meet Pablo.
Her brother.
It had taken weeks of negotiation to get them here. Pablo had been suspicious and angry. She was still nervous that he planned to just take them out.
“I still think I should have brought some no-bake bars with me. Just in case he’s a jerk.”
“If he’s a jerk, we won’t need any no-bake bars,” Alejandro promised. “I’ll take him out myself.”
All right, then.
Although she was a bit disappointed that no one would ever let her bake her bars. She was dying to try that Tim-Tam Hedgehog recipe and besides, she still thought she could be Alejandro’s secret weapon.
They’d sent someone to scout out this place earlier. They’d put up a drone and searched around but found nothing suspicious.
Maybe he would stick to his word and they could come to some sort of truce.
Lord, she hoped so.
That was part of the reason they were here. To ensure that both sides didn’t retaliate since there was fault on both sides.
But mainly Cat was here was to get her mama. Pablo had agreed to hand her over.
If they brought Cat with them.
Alejandro had been furious at the stipulation. He hadn’t wanted to bring her. But if it meant getting Mama back safely . . . there was no way that he would be leaving her behind. And he’d known it.
She’d just had to promise to obey him.
Pfft. When didn’t she obey him? She was a good girl.
Alejandro was still recovering from his injury, although you wouldn’t know it by looking at him.
She continued to have nightmares. Some days were worse than others.
But Alejandro was always there to hold her tight.
It didn’t help that the wannabe-Deity was still out there. Although Stubby had called a few days ago to say they might be getting close to him.
Fuck, she hoped so.
Two other cars drove up to them, stopping several feet away.
Dante and Ortega got out of their car. Alejandro glanced over at her. “You stay here, understand?”
“I promise, Papi.”
The Scot waited with her while the others all got out. She leaned forward between the driver and passenger seat.
A tall, muscular man who looked to be in his early thirties climbed out of one of the other cars and approached Dante. He had dark hair and moved confidently.
“That’s him, isn’t it? That’s Pablo?”
“I think so,” The Scot said.
There was some gesturing and no one looked happy. Then Alejandro followed Pablo over to one of their cars. Was he getting her mama?
Alejandro stepped back and gestured at the men Pablo had with him. They all stood while Cairn and Dante’s men searched them.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” The Scot replied.
Then Alejandro started walking back toward them. No! Where was Mama?
He opened her back door.
