Page 22 of Cartel Prince

“How many people have attacked that your family feels like the estate needs concertina wire to keep people out?”

“None. They know they’re not welcome. We have a staff who’ll be there, but they’re local. They don’t speak Spanish, only Macaguán.”

“And you speak that?”

“It comes in handy.”

I shift my attention back to Pablo, and I know he means it’s a language his family speaks that no one else does. There’re probably only a few hundred people who speak it in the entirecountry. It surprises me his family’s passed it down for so many generations.

“How long has your family been Cartel?”

“Since they began in the seventies. They had other—endeavors well before that.”

“Did people relearn the language back then, or did your family continue speaking it even after they migrated to the city probably a couple hundred years ago?”

He watches me, hesitant to let me in and to share so much about his family. I look at my lap. I’m prying, asking things his family likely never shares with anyone outside their immediate circle.

“Chiquita, I’m not used to telling people things about my family like this, but I don’t want to shut you out and make you feel like I’m hiding more from you than I have to. Telling you we speak Macaguán isn’t a secret I need to keep.”

“Because it’s not like I—or anyone else—will suddenly know how to speak the language. It won’t compromise your security.”

He nods.

He doesn’t stop watching me, and I think he fears he’s hurt my feelings.

“Sir—”

“Pablo.”

“We said twenty-four seven.”

“I know, but it’s obvious already that we won’t have a regular D/s relationship.”

It’s my turn to watch him before I nod.

“Pablo, I don’t think it’s just tradition that makes your family keep the language alive. I bet you use it when you’re on missions or when you need to speak privately. I’ve been angry and scared today. I’m still building up to trusting you about more than just my immediate safety and fucking. But I don’t wish you harm. If I did, I would’ve told Humberto or myabuelothat you visited meat the pharmacy. I would’ve screamed my head off when we went outside. I would’ve fought you harder. I would’ve shot you.”

“I’m glad you didn’t.”

“Shoot you?”

“Definitely that, but I’m glad you didn’t tell anyone, and that you didn’t scream. No one outside my family comes here. We don’t bring guests.”

I sensed this, but hearing him admit that makes the weight of the significance even heavier.

Our conversation’s put on pause as we land. We watch the flight attendant open the door and lower the steps. Pablo helps me to my feet and stands. He pulls his gun from his lower back holster. There’s an SUV waiting for us. There are metal grates over the front and rear bumpers. The windows are nearly as black as the frame. It pulls so close to the stairs I can practically step straight into it. Pablo’s gaze sweeps over our surroundings as I slip inside. He follows me, and a bodyguard closes the door. There are two men in the third row, and the driver’s in his seat. The guard climbs into the front passenger seat.

They’re all wearing tactical gear with helmets and bulletproof vests. They carry rifles, and there’s a spare for the driver between Pablo and me, leaning against the center console. We ride in silence to the front gate, which slides open. Men patrol the property. It’s more secure than any embassy. I look out my window, then turn to look out Pablo’s.

He’s still completely at ease, which lessens the sudden spike of anxiety I feel. He remains relaxed because he knows he’s surrounded by security. It looks over the top, but nothing about him makes me think he’s prone to exaggeration or catastrophizing. I doubt anyone else in his family is either. If this gives them peace of mind to spend time together, then I appreciate their preparedness.

“I’ll give you a tour of the house, then I need to callTíoEnrique.”

Chapter Seven

Pablo

I know I have to call mytío, but I dread it. It won’t thrill him to know I brought an outsider here. This is one of our most guarded secrets. It’s why the security is so heightened. We don’t believe anyone knows this place exists, but if anyone finds out, we want them dead before they can tell someone else.