Page 364 of Bratva Jewels Box Set

“I’m not going to lose you, not when I’ve just found you,” he says, pulling our lips together and kissing me passionately.

“I’m like a cat, I have nine lives, trust me, I’ll survive,” I reassure him.

“I have faith in your skills, kitty,” he states, kissing me softly.

“Good, I promise I’m coming home with you.”

Nash and I arrive at the gala, which is being held in an old Spanish home, which has been converted into an event space. It’s a snail’s pace as we are stuck in traffic. Anna said there is an option for valet or self-park, which we take as directed by one of the staff. We pull into the car space that is closest to the exit that Anna had marked for us. We did a couple of test runs over the last couple of days leading up to tonight to make sure everything was right with no surprises.

“You ready?” I turn and ask Nash.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” He grins before grabbing me and kissing me one last time. I reach out and wipe my red lipstick from his mouth.

“We’ve got this,” I reassure him. We have gone over the plan so many times that it feels like second nature. We dropped our luggage off at the helicopter earlier, which included the red Birkin filled with diamonds. We also went shopping and bought what we could in clothing for the girls to get changed into. We don’t know their sizes or ages, but we grabbed what we could to make them feel comfortable. We made sure the plane was fully stocked with enough toiletries for the girls to shower and feel relaxed after what is going to be a harrowing night. Anna reassures us she has Pearl and the girls organized, that they will be where she says they will be. I must trust her. This is it. As Nash and I stride toward the entrance of the event, security stops us, requesting to look at our invite and once they are satisfied, they check my purse before sending us through the metal detectors. Once we’ve passed we are let into the event, where Sophie is standing at the entrance with a tray ofchampagne glasses. I give her a nod and take my glass as does Nash, and we enter the event. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but I didn’t think there would be this many people. My heart kicks up a beat and I hope and pray that I do not run into anyone I know.Anyone you know is dead.

“Relax, you’ve got this,” Nash whispers into my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my exposed back, especially when his hand rests at my lower back.

“Carmen,”someone calls my name and when I look over, I see Manuel, who eyes Nash suspiciously.

“Show time,” Nash mumbles.

“My love,”he kisses my cheeks,“you look like a vision,”he whispers into my ear as he assesses me.

“I wore the dress you chose.”I giggle, fluttering my lashes at him as I rest my hand on his chest.

“It is perfect,”Manuel grins,“don’t you think she looks perfect, Nash?”he asks Nash in Spanish.

“She wanted to look perfect for you,”he says, taking a sip of his champagne.

“Good, just wanted to make sure you know whose she is,”Manuel says darkly to Nash.

I giggle and try to turn Manuel’s attention back onto me as I scrunch up my face.“Ew, Nash is like a big brother to me.”

“As long as he knows that.”Manuel hisses as he continues to glare at Nash.

“That’s my cue to leave,”Nash says, raising his glass toward us and disappearing into the crowd.

I lean into Manuel and whisper in his ear,“Your jealousy is making me tingle.”His hand wraps around my back, pulling me closer to him.“I will not allow another man to touch what is mine, Carmen, do you understand?”he says firmly.

“I am yours, Manuel, to do with as you please, remember,”I coo seductively into his ear.

“Damn right you are. Fuck, I hate that I am on show tonight, otherwise, I would be taking you into the nearest room and fucking you. I’ve missed you. It’s been too long, my love.”

I let my hand skim across his tuxedo-clad cock.“I can’t wait for you to fill me, again.”I bite his ear.

“Fuck, Carmen.”He groans as I continue to tease him.

“I know, baby, I can feel you getting hard for me. Such a good boy, rising to attention for me, but now is not the time. I promise I will make up the time we have spent apart worth your while, but you must be a good boy for me,”I purr into his ear.

“I’ll be so fucking good.”He moans.

“I need you to put on a show for me, this will all be over soon. No more pretending with your wife after tonight. You and I will be together. I will make you one of the most powerful men in the cartel, all from my knees.”

“Fuck, Carmen, you don’t understand what you’re saying to me. Do you know how long I have waited for someone like you?”He hisses as I continue to lightly tease him.

“You were waiting for me. I’m here but you must be patient for a little longer,”I assure him.

“Yes, my love, a little longer.”Manuel nods.“Tonight, at the after-party will be the start of our new life together,”he states, placing a kiss on my cheek.