Page 89 of Cartel Rose (Jorge)

“If you use this information against us, Jorge…I’m only telling you because I have faith you can help find my brother. We began receiving threats from someone about a year ago. They’re the people who’ve been extorting Anneliese. When she brought it to Gunter’s attention, he downplayed it. He didn’t want whoever this is to know Anneliese told him anything. He thought we could collect information—insurance—against them to extricate all of us.”

None of this sounds like theonkelI grew up with. The one with whom I have so many happy memories. The one who used to walk around with my standing on his feet, pretending to be a giant. The man who’d let me curl up on his lap and tell me stories about when he and Papa were young boys. That was a lifetime ago for both of us.

“Who could this be?”

“Anneliese, I honestly don’t know. You’ve sprung this on me, and as you know, it’s a lot to take in. I need to consider all the players in this situation.”

“OnkelClyde, be careful. I don’t know if they might come after you too.”

“I know, Anneliese. I’m glad you have Jorge there. Listen to everything he tells you to do. Jorge, do you have family coming, or is it just you and whatever guards you have?”

“A brother and a cousin are here.”

That’s all he shares. He doesn’t mention which ones, and he doesn’t admit they’ve heard this conversation. I hang up with myonkel. He took that far better than I imagined, but I’m certain he’s reacting now that we’re not on the phone.

“How’re you doing,chiquita?”

“Better than I thought I’d be, to be honest. He’s more upset than he’s letting one.”

“I know he is. He’s German. He’s genetically programmed to be stoic.”

Jorge flashes me a grin before leaning around me to look at Joaquin and Alejandro. They’re busy and minding their own business. Jorge slides his hand into mine and leads me up to the bedroom. Once we’re there, he shuts the door.

I slip off my shoes and so does he. He scoops me into his arms, and I wrap mine around his neck. He presses a gentle kiss to my forehead before brushing my lips with his. He sits on the bed and places me next to him. We shuffle around until he’s sitting against the headboard, and I’m on his lap. He offers me a tender kiss on the lips, and I sigh. I burrow against him, but it doesn’t feel like enough for either of us.

“Strip,chiquita.”

“What? Right now?”

His soft smile reassures me. “I won’t fuck you right this minute, unless that’s what you want. But strip.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

I climb off the bed while he does the same. I shed my clothes without hesitation.

“Trust me about this, little one.”

“I do. Completely.”

Heat suffuses my chest, knowing how truthful I am.

“Chica,only my family says that to me. No one else is stupid enough to have that kind of unconditional emotion toward me.”

“I can guess why, Jorge. But I know my faith isn’t misplaced.”

“Do you feel so far over your head that you’re drowning, and you don’t know how to swim to the surface?

“Yes.”

“Give me control for a little while,chiquita.Let me take care of you and show you I’m here to do that. Let yourself focus on something other than your fear.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve spanked you in the past as a punishment. It can also be for pleasure.”

“As a distraction?”

“In this case, it is in a way. It can be so much more. It’s about letting me take the lead without you fighting for control over something you can’t. All you have to do is concentrate on how you feel when I touch you.”