Seducing Texas (So not Prince Charming #2)(4)

Before we slip into Willa’s Camry, a low-rider gangbanger Impala slowly turns the corner. We don’t live in a bad neighborhood, so I pull out my phone to video the car’s approach in case this is a drive-by shooting set up by Uncle Manny. After he hired killers to murder Mom and me, Willa and I both got our concealed weapon’s permit. We’re not taking any chances.

Willa swivels around to see what I’m looking at. “Should I get out my gun?”

I nod almost imperceptibly. The closer the car comes; I realize the three guys don’t belong to Manny.

My phone captures the license plate and the car’s make and model. I recognize the guy pointing his finger at me as one of Uncle Manny’s rival dealers. His red bandana around his head ties him to a Columbian gang belonging to Juarez. The gangbanger is also like a third cousin or something to Willa and me.

Nice relatives.

Why would Manny’s rivals care about us?

They drive slowly by us, and his name comes to me. Espinoza sticks his hand out the window. He configures his hand as a gun, points it at me, and pretends to shoot. Terror streaks up my back, leaving its chilly wake. These guys scare the hell out of me. How will I protect Willa from them? Why would the Juarez cartel stalk us?

I understand why Uncle Manny might. He wants the flash drive that contains his business transactions, and it’s the only security I have. I thought maybe he wouldn’t come after me, and the drive is my insurance, but that’s a pipe dream.

I made multiple copies and put them in safety deposit boxes in two different states—one is Alaska that has Shane and his father’s name on the box. Neither of them knows about it. Willa’s name is on the rest. I never thought feeling safe would last, and I don’t want Willa involved in any of my troubles.

Manny thought he could find the backups my father hid in Mom’s garden, but he was wrong. Willa and I dug them up. It’s the only thing keeping me alive, except Manny is crazy, and he’ll try to kill me again.





Chapter Willa


Once a week, Cyn and I visit Mom’s grave and bring flowers we cannot afford. Though I did catch her cutting roses from the neighbor’s yard today. It’s more like something I would do, not her.

After her arduous hike through the Alaskan wilderness, Cyn has changed. She still wears high heels that could break her neck, but she’s even tougher. Though I do remember the day Mom was abducted and Shane brought her home. The hot New Mexican sand and rocks had slashed and punished her feet. Cyn could barely walk for two weeks.

She never once complained, but like all of us, we cried for months over losing Mom. I still do.

I try not to think about the gang members threatening us. I don’t know how Cyn plans on protecting us. Why do Manny’s rivals care about us? We’re not stupid. We would never release the flash drive unless Uncle Manny kills one of us.

Cyn lays the blanket down for us to sit on next to Mom’s grave. She has on a white Givenchy lacy slip dress and Prada wedges. Shane will like what she’s wearing.

Other than our dark hair and eyes, we couldn’t be any more different. I’m dressed in cutoffs, Chucks, and a Dallas Cowboys’ tee.

When we were little Fay and Cyn would play dress-up and watch Disney princess movies for hours. They’d torture me by using me as a model, curling my hair, accessorizing me, and caking makeup onto my face. I love them both though, even if I missed out on the fashion gene.

Fay and Cyn are not speaking to each other, and it’s my goal for them to reconcile. I knew Fay had nothing to do with Mom’s murder, and frankly, I don’t think Uncle Manny will give up on trying to kill Cyn. He isn’t going to forget about his drug business copied onto drives in our possession.

Like me, Fay only wanted what was left of Mom, anything she wore or loved and cherished. Her engagement ring from her first husband and Fay’s father is contentious, and Fay wants it back from Cyn. While Cyn was on her honeymoon in Alaska, she found the ring and Mom’s tennis shoes. Manny’s men tracked Cyn across the Interior, and Shane saved her. Fay and I are both jealous that Cyn got to say goodbye and that she was the last one to see Mom.

Tears well up in my eyes. Cyn takes a bite out of an apple and stares at Mom’s grave. When we lost the ranch, we had to move her from there. Cyn finally talked Dad’s mom into giving us the location of her head so that it was rejoined to her body. It’s sad that our grandmother sides with her drug-dealing son instead of our father.

I hate Uncle Manny and wish him dead. Cyn and I should take care of him before he does us in. There’s no way though we could get near his well-guarded hacienda.

“Are you wearing that for your interview?” I ask. It’s really sexy.

“Yes,” Cyn says in that perky voice of hers. “Do you think it’ll work?”

“Shane already wants you back.”

“And Nikita wants him.” She pouts, making me laugh. No wonder guys have a hard time resisting her.

Both of my sisters are beautiful. Cyn is jealous of Fay because she looks like Mom who resembles Blake Lively, and Fay can’t stand that Cyn resembles Selma Hayak.

“How do you know Shane wants me back? He hasn’t spoken to me,” Cyn adds. “He only sent me that letter that got me all excited.”

“I ran into him,” I say guiltily, “and he told me he’s working on getting you back.”