Page 52 of Cartel Rose (Jorge)

I want to cringe when Heidi asks. We already agreed the less people know, the better. Now she wants to bring two more people into the mix. I guess our boyfriends are already there. I get why she wants to speak to Friedrich. She’s scared for us and for him. She wants him to comfort her. But it puts me in a position where I’ll have to call Bastian too. I don’t want to explain to my mom and sister why I don’t want the man I love here. I can’t claim it’s protecting him when he’s safer here than on his own, unaware of the dangers.

Jorge focuses on Heidi, not even glancing at me. “Not yet. If we make no progress before tonight, then yes, they can come here. I know you’d feel better with them.”

I struggle not to wince. I could agree with him, but he and I would know it’s a lie. But in this, I have to be the leader. I pull out my phone and unlock it.

“I’ll call Bastian first. I’ll tell him as little as I can. You stick with what I say when you speak to Friedrich.”

“Fine.”

Jorge shifts his focus to me, and he looks about as thrilled as he would if he walked in to get a root canal. I tap on Bastian’s contact and wait while it rings.

“Guten Morgen,mein Liebling.”

“Guten Morgen.”

I can’t muster an endearment for him while Jorge listens. It feels fake. I’ve never hesitated before. But once Bastian speaks again, the familiarity reassures me as we continue in German.

“Did you have fun last night?”

“It was good to haveMuttiand Heidi with me.”

“Did you stay up late chatting?”

“Yeah. How was your night?” That is true; it was just with Jorge.

“Lonely. The bed feels awfully big without you.”

“Now you know what it’s like when you’re on rotation.”

I can’t help but smile. We slip into our easy banter, and the familiarity is even more comforting than I expected. At least, it is until I look up and see Jorge observing me. His expression is impassive. I don’t know what he’s thinking.

“Are you coming home before work?”

“I’m not headed into the office, actually.”

“Why not? You nearly never work from home.”

“Something’s come up, Bastian. It involves Papa. I don’t know the full extent yet, but I think it’s better I stay out of the office for now.”

“Is it his health? Do I need to call anyone?”

I close my eyes and swallow. I wish it were as simple as him calling around the hospitals to see if he can find Papa. I know he isn’t at one.

“No. We’re having problems with an angry client. I’m trying to stay out of sight for now.”

“Did they threaten you?”

There’s a seriousness I rarely hear in Bastian’s voice. I know he feels protective of me, but I’m all too aware of his limitations. He’s a powerful man, and I’d usually put my money on him in a fight. However, this isn’t some bar brawl. He’d be no match for anyone we come across.

“Not me, but they did Papa.”

My attention moves to Heidi, making sure she’s listening. Her story has to match mine since Bastian and Friedrich are best friends. They’ll definitely discuss this.

“Are your mother and sister still with you?”

“Yes. They’re going to stay here with me for the day. I’ll let you know if anything comes up, and we need to stay longer.”

“Longer? Just how serious is this? What does your father say?”