The Vargas Cartel Trilogy (Vargas Cartel #1-3)(72)

“Exactly. We have a mutually beneficial relationship. Can you imagine what would happen to your family if the U.S. government shifted its protection to the Alvarez Cartel? With Rever out of the picture, they’re already missing a successor. How long do you think it would take before the members of the Vargas Cartel defected and joined ranks with the Alvarez Cartel?”

I laughed coldly, even as my gut twisted into knots thinking about the implications of his threat. “Maybe I don’t give a shit.” It was an outright lie. As much as I wanted to sever my ties to the Vargas Cartel, I didn’t want my dad to die, and that’s exactly what would happen if Senator Deveron made good on his threat. My dad wasn’t a good man, but I loved him. I didn’t want anything to happen to him.

“We both know that’s not true.”

“I don’t see how I can help you.”

“Threaten her. Threaten her family. Hold a gun to her head. Blackmail her. I don’t care. Get it done. That’s what you do. That’s why I hired you.”

“Blackmail her?” I said, barely able to form the words. Rage whipped through my veins like an electrical storm. If he knew about the video of Hattie and me together, I’d kill Ignacio. I owed him some degree of loyalty, but my loyalty stopped the minute he threatened Hattie. “With what?”

“Everybody has secrets. Find hers.”

I paced back and forth, squeezing my phone hard enough to shatter it into a million pieces. Before I met Hattie, I wouldn’t have wavered for a second. As much as I despised the family business, I never would’ve chosen anyone or anything to the detriment of my family. Now I was walking the tightrope to hell. “I’ll think about it.”

“What does that mean?” Senator Deveron spat.

“That I’ll call you in the next seventy-two hours and not a minute earlier.” I disconnected the call.

“Shit. Shit. Shit,” I screamed as I flung my empty beer bottle at the wall.





Chapter Eight




Hattie



I jogged on the paved path next to the Potomac River. I loved this time of year. Pink cherry blossoms splashed color across the normally staid D.C. landscape, making it lighter, happier.

Over the last seven days, I had reclaimed my life and future. I still missed Ryker, Ry, or whoever the hell he was, but I needed to move forward instead of backward.

I had broken off my engagement with Evan. Less than five minutes into the conversation, Evan went from compassionate boyfriend to complete jackass. Every cutting comment he tossed in my direction only solidified my decision to walk away from that part of my life and carve a new future.

I stopped by my parents’ house three days ago to give them the news. I thought my mom’s head was going explode or spin in circles when I told her, but my dad understood and agreed with my decision. So did my therapist, which I pointed out to my mom on a daily basis. She hadn’t abandoned her mission to convince me to marry Evan, but the frequency of her comments had decreased, which was fine…for now.

I salvaged my friendship with Vera. In fact, she offered to clean out her guest bedroom and make our roommate situation permanent. As much as I loved living with her, I hadn’t decided either way. I wanted to keep my options open and make the right decision instead of jumping into anything like I did with Evan and the engagement.

My professors and I agreed on a path that would allow me to complete the requirements for my graduate degree by the end of the summer.

Finally, I had resumed my exercise schedule. I jogged instead of swam. Swimming laps reminded me of Mexico, which reminded me of Ryker. I didn’t have a plan to deal with him yet. Maybe he’d just disappear again, and I’d never have to come to terms with whatever happened between us.

Despite my determination to avoid him, he still managed to consume my thoughts. Somehow he had charmed his way into my heart. The minute his lips touched mine at the engagement party, my body melted into his, and all my hard-fought defenses crumbled. Time fragmented, giving the illusion not a minute had passed since we were together.

I rounded the corner of the park, my feet slapping against the paved path, echoing in my ears with every stride. Too quickly, the timer buzzed on my phone, signaling the end of my run. Endorphins flooded my veins, making me wish I could keep going until I couldn’t think about anything but the next step, the next mile, and the burning in my lungs. Maybe next time.

Right now, I needed to keep my schedule. My schedule would keep me sane, focused even. Before the Vargas Cartel abducted me, I had planned every minute of every day. It gave me control of my life, something I never had as a child.

My chest heaving, I bent at the waist, bracing my hands on my knees. When my heart slowed to a normal pace, I walked to the bench where I stretched after every run for ten minutes before I drove home.

I froze mid-stride. Ryker sat five feet in front of me on my bench.

Shit.

My endorphins evaporated like dry ice. Why couldn’t he leave me alone? Why did he keep interfering in my life? I needed my routine. It kept me grounded…in control. I glanced over my shoulder as I backpedaled a few clumsy steps.

“You can run away, but it’d be a waste of time.” He stood and sauntered to me, his shoes crunching over the gravel.

I planted my hands on my hips and cocked my chin, feigning composure, even as my heart jack-knifed painfully in my chest. Over a week had passed without hearing from him or seeing him. I thought my craving for him had faded. The razor-sharp ache in my chest told me otherwise. “Why’s that?”