Page 26 of Cartel Rose (Jorge)

“Liesel, I’m not asking you. I’m telling you.”

“I can’t go there. I have to…”

What the fuck do I have to do? I don’t even know.

“Have to what, Liesel? You called me for a reason. Because you knew I’d know how to handle this. You didn’t call anyone else, just me.”

“How can you be so certain of that?”

Because I need you to be.

“Because I’m standing here, and no one else is already here, and I can tell no one else is coming.”

“I still can’t go to a hotel with you.”

Some sense of propriety permeates my rattled mind.

“Do you fear me? Do you think I did this?”

My mouth drops open as I shake my head vehemently. “If I thought you’d done this, I wouldn’t have called you.”

“Exactly. You know you can rely on me.”

My brain seems to clear with that one word. Rely.

When has a Rottweiler ever been reliable? I suppose reliably defensive of its family and territory. I’m not his family, but am I now some type of territory in a syndicate war? I lick my lips in nervousness but shake my head again.

“Can’t you make this go away?”

“Not until I know what this is. I need to find out where your father is and whether anyone else is in danger.”

“My mother? My sister?” The panic is back.

“I don’t know yet, Liesel. That’s what I have to find out.”

“How will you do that?”

“I need to get you somewhere safe in an environment I can control. Then I can sort all of that out.”

“Can’t we do that somewhere I already know?”

“Liesel, are you afraid of appearances if someone sees you going to a hotel with me? Is that why you’re hesitant?”

I can’t do much more than nod. I know I should’ve called Bastian, but he’s barely a thought. Today is his day off, so I know he’s at home. I could’ve gone straight there. I could’ve called him from the car. I could’ve called Jorge from the car. I don’t know what else I could’ve done. I’m making excuses now that I remember my boyfriend.

“Liesel, you are coming with me to my hotel. Do not argue, little one, or I will spank you.”

My head jerks back, shocked at Jorge’s words, but it’s clear he’s unwavering in that promise.

“I’m not a child.”

His gaze sweeps over me, and I think he likes what he sees. I think he can tell it intrigues me, and I hate that.

“I never thought you were, but I will spank you if you disobey me.”

He scoops up the box and ushers me toward my office door. It’s not until we step out of the suite that his hand hovers at my lower back. I can’t help the shiver that courses through me. The gesture is possessive and protective.

I like it way too much.