Page 40 of Cartel Viper (The Cartel Brotherhood #2)

Chapter Twenty

Maddy

I heard the same sound as I did before the first drone attack.

I was already curled into as tight a ball as I could make myself.

Javi hovered over me as a human shield. While it made me feel loved, the last thing I ever want is for him to sacrifice himself for me.

I heard the bullets strike the drones, then the splash.

I fully expected some type of explosion, but there was barely anything to indicate we were about to be under attack.

Once we come ashore, it’s a blur as we move through tunnels until we reach an SUV I never imagined could fit into what looks like such a small shed.

There’s just enough room for us to get the doors open and climb in.

Then we’re on our way. I watch our surroundings mostly in silence only responding when Javi speaks to me.

It’s a quiet ride back from Connecticut into New Jersey.

I grew up in northern Jersey, so I recognized the area despite taking a roundabout route to avoid the city.

I’ve spent hours of my life here playing in Enrique’s backyard.

It’s like a third home to me after my parents’ and Luis and Margherita’s.

As I walk through the door, I see Enrique and his new wife, Elodie.

It’s strange to know a woman lives here with Enrique, but it still feels as familiar as it always has.

It’s comforting to know I’m with Javi’s family.

Enrique always seems so untouchable, even though as an adult, I understand there’ve probably been countless threats to his life over the years.

I watch as Enrique whispers something to his wife before she walks over to greet me.

“I didn’t get to say more than just a passing hello at the reception, Madeline, but I’m happy we can be here to help. Whatever you need, let us know, or just go ahead and get it. I haven’t changed much about the house, so things should be where you remember them.”

“Thank you, Elodie. I really appreciate that.”

I don’t know how much more to say because I have no idea what Enrique already told her or will tell her about this situation.

He’s hesitant when it’s his turn to approach.

One smile is all it takes before I’m in his arms again just like I was as a kid when Laura, Pablo, and Juan would tease me about being the baby of the group.

It was Enrique who always insisted they make time for me and allow me to play with the rest of them.

“ Tío ” slips past my lips before I realize what I’m saying.

“Madeline, you’re safe here. You know I won’t let anything happen to you. Neither will Javi nor anyone else in this family. You can stay here as long as you want.”

I lean back to look up at him and nod. “Javi said he won’t call Maks unless I want him to. Are you going to get them involved?”

He hesitates for a moment, but his gaze doesn’t waver. “Not until we know exactly who’s involved in this. This is a private family issue.”

My eyebrows shoot straight up. “You don’t think the Kutsenkos could be behind any of this, do you?”

“No. Not even remotely. They would never do that to you. That’s not what I meant.

Whether it’s the O’Sheehans or someone else, they targeted you while you were with my family.

I hate to say it, but whoever this is probably would have done the same thing if you were with your in-laws.

However, you’re with us. Until we know how widespread and far-reaching this is, I’d rather fewer people know. ”

“Do you really think it’s more than just Drew?”

“I don’t know that Drew O’Sheehan truly has the huevos to attack my family on our private estate without someone much more powerful backing him.”

I want to blurt all the questions roiling through my mind, but I’m certain he can’t and won’t answer most of them. Besides, I doubt I’d like the answer to any of them, so I opt for quiet instead. When I step away from him, I look over my shoulder to find Javi.

I don’t see him immediately, and a spike of fear shoots through me from the tips of my toes up to the top of my head.

It only lasts a moment because I spot him on the other side of Alejandro, but it was nearly paralyzing.

He’s watching me, and I should’ve known he would be.

I don’t know what his cousin was in the middle of saying, but he abandons that conversation to join me.

He slides his arm around my waist, and I sag against him.

He keeps his voice low when he speaks to me, but Enrique hears him.

“ Chica , are you tired? Do you want to lie down for a while or just have some peace and quiet? We didn’t get to have a late lunch or early dinner. If you’re hungry, I can make you something.”

“No, I’m all right.”

I look up at him and force myself to inhale deeply, letting the air fill my chest and calm me.

“I just didn’t see you for a moment.”

He observes me before he nods. “I won’t let you out of my reach, little one, if that would make you feel better.”

I force a tightlipped smile, not wanting to sound needy, but he understands me. I glance over at Enrique, embarrassed that he’ll think I’m clingy after being the reason for all of this shit that’s raining down on them.

He isn’t watching me; instead, his gaze pierces Javi. I look up at the man I’ve wanted since I was a young teenager and who I’m rapidly falling head over heels for. I recognize the mulish set of his chin and the way he lifts it as he stares back at his uncle.

I’ve heard he’s defiant to plenty of people, but never any of the adults in his family. I guess I should say the older generation since we’re all adults now. Though in moments like this, when I feel so lost and unsure, it’s good to have Enrique nearby.

I can’t even imagine half the things he’s witnessed or experienced. I know Javi, his brothers, and cousins have done plenty, but Enrique and Luis are still decades older and more experienced than them. I shift my focus back over to Enrique as he nods.

It’s some type of acknowledgement to Javi, but I’m not exactly sure about what. Enrique steps away as the back of Javi’s fingers brush against my cheekbone before his fingers wrap around my nape, and his thumb replaces the back of his hand.

“ Chiquita , he gets how serious I am about you. That this is for keeps.”

I swallow as I nod. Tears prick at my eyelids, but my smile is genuine.

“Maddy, I’m not walking away from you just because things are hard. I don’t want to sound flippant or callous, but if you’re in this for keeps too, this is only one of a lifetime of storms we’ll weather together. This may not even be the worst of what we face, but we’ll do it together.”

“Yes, Daddy.” I whisper the words, and he offers me a soft smile.

“Maddy, there’s nothing I won’t do to protect you, and I think you’ve always known that.

You’ve seen a sliver of what I’m willing to do.

That will never change, but if this is too much for you—if this is a lifestyle you can’t accept—I won’t force you to remain.

I might beg and plead and cry, but I won’t hold you hostage.

I never, ever want you to feel you’re trapped with me. ”

“Javi, nothing about this feels like what I’ve experienced before.

There’s danger that surrounds you and your family every day, all day, but I don’t fear you’d intentionally put me in the middle of it.

That’s where I find myself now, and unfortunately, I might find myself in this position again, but not by your doing.

Just the opposite. If we ever face anything like this again, I only want to be with you.

In the past, I wanted to be as far away from Drew as I could get. Instead, I don’t want to let you go.”

“Maddy, I will never ask you to do the kind of things he did.”

My eyes could practically fall out of their sockets as I stare at him.

“Javi, never in this lifetime or the next would I ever imagine you’d ask, let alone force me to work for you.

That thought never crossed my mind. I know and have known since we were kids what people say about you guys, but I also know how you helped Misha’s wife and how you helped Maria Mancinelli.

You aren’t the things people say you are.

It’s the role you have to play. I think if I even considered the type of activities Drew forced me into, you’d make sure I couldn’t sit for a month of Sundays. ”

“That’s right, chiquita . I want you as far away from these things as I can get you. I can’t guarantee you’ll be as far removed as I want, but I need to make sure we’re on the same page about those things. It should probably go without saying, but I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding.”

“There’s not, Javi.”

“Madeline?”

I turn toward Elodie who’s coming down the stairs with a stack of clothes. She joins Javi and me where we stand near the entrance to the living room.

“I don’t know how well these will fit, but the pants all have drawstrings. I thought you might like to have some options.”

She sounds confident, but I notice her cheeks tinge pink as she hands me the fresh clothes.

I realize she’s embarrassed that her clothes will be too big on me.

It embarrasses me that I won’t fill them out and will look like a child wearing her mother’s clothes.

Goes to show the grass is always greener on the other side.

“Thank you.”

“The guys all have rooms here. I made sure there are fresh towels in Javi’s bathroom. I found an extra toothbrush too. You can order any other toiletries you need, and we’ll have them delivered within the hour.”

“Thank you, Elodie.”

“Elle. I know you know your way around, so truly, get whatever you need from the kitchen or hangout wherever you want.”

“I spent most of my time here in the backyard, but I don’t think I’ll be allowed out there.” I glance ruefully at Javi.

“No. You can go swimming another day.”