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My god. “You research and make—”
“Drugs. That’s right. Because of my pedigree and a stupid promise I made, I’m a license to print money. And since I’m a woman, I’d be no more than a slave to whatever group collars me. My only choice is to return to my father’s protection. I have to go back to San Juan.”
“No, you don’t! Stay here, and we'll figure it out!”
I reach for Marisol, but she’s checked out. “What about your dream job? Everything you’ve worked for?”
Her voice is dead when she answers, “More than half of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies have facilities in Puerto Rico. I’ll return to my cage but still get to do the work I swore to do on my brother’s grave.”
She won’t look at me, so I shake her. Marisol reluctantly drags her eyes to mine. “You won’t, and you know it. The minute you go back, you’ll be making drugs for Otero.”
“My father will protect me.”
“Your father is one of them! You told me yourself if he goes against the family, you’re both dead.”
Marisol tries to escape my hold, but I won’t let her. She lets her body go limp, and her words come out resigned. “Whatever happens down there would be better than if a competing cartel gets a hold of me.”
I pull her closer until we’re nose to nose. “I won’t let that happen.”
Again, with the hollow laugh. “You’re crazy if you believe that. You don’t know these men like I do. And you barely know me.”
“I know enough. I know that I’ve never known anyone like you. I’ve never wanted a woman like I want you. I know I’m not giving up without a fight because you’re worth it. I also know that it’s about fucking time someone fought for you.”
“This is not a fight you can win, Austin. You wouldn’t be dealing with two men on a neighborhood street. The Pastrana family is a small army, ruthless and powered by greed.”
I stubbornly shake my head. “I can’t give up, Marisol. Not now. I’m falling in love with you.”
Marisol
My world splinters apart even more at Austin’s confession. “Austin, no. I would be a curse on your life. This is why I’ve avoided getting close to anyone. I’ve always worried I would end up getting sucked back in, and I was right.”
I shove his hands away, push off the sofa, and open the door for him to go. Austin dismisses the gesture and my argument, refusing to give up. “I want you to pack a bag and stay with me until we figure out what to do next.”
“No.”
“Marisol, they’re going to come back. You can’t be here when they do.”
“I know, which is why you have to let me leave.”
Austin has me pressed against the door in the next breath. “You look me in the eye and tell me you want to leave. Tell me you’re not falling in love with me, and I’ll drive you to the airport myself.”
I break down into mournful sobs because Austin’s right. I can’t say the words. Even if I did, he’d recognize them for the lie they are. Austin kisses my tears and then claims my mouth. I let him because I’m afraid it’ll be for the last time.
His possessive kiss incites a rush of heat in my middle, the only thing that breaks through the cold numbness. Breathing hard, Austin pulls back and rests his forehead against mine. “We do this together.”
I nod, only because arguing with him won’t accomplish anything, and Austin releases me. “Go pack. I want to leave before they can regroup and return.”
I do as Austin says and pack a bag, again, only because arguing won’t change his mind. When I’m finished, Austin takes my keys, locks the unit, and shepherds me to his truck.
Piper is once again a happy pup, starkly contrasting the killer she was a few minutes ago. She jumps into the back seat, and we’re soon speeding away from my neighborhood.
Austin drives for a while, the densely populated city giving way to heavily wooded countryside. “Where are we?”
“We’re almost to my house. It’s in the southern part of Virginia Beach. Almost to Chesapeake.”
Minutes later, Austin turns into a driveway that disappears through the trees. A modern take on a craftsman-style house sits at the end of the drive. Stacked stone and heavy timber give the home a rustic quality that fits well with its surroundings. The whole scene looks peaceful.
Austin’s home is also private. The structure sits back at least a hundred yards from the road, hidden amongst the trees. Even if it weren’t surrounded by forest, the nearest neighbor is a mile away on either side.