Page 17 of Echoes and Oaths (Guardian Security Dynasty #4)
E ira stood in the front room, her arms crossed protectively over her chest as her gaze flicked between her mother and Raven.
The tension in the air pressed against her skin like the oppressive humidity outside.
Through the open window, the distant sound of cicadas buzzed in the background, mingling with the faint rustle of the Venezuelan jungle beyond the rolling hills of their cattle farm.
Her mother’s eyes narrowed, pinning Raven with suspicion, her voice sharp and clipped. “What do you mean she’s going to protect us? Why didn’t Mateo say something when he talked to me? She doesn’t look like she could protect anyone. Mateo said he would do that now. ”
Eira answered evenly, trying to keep her mother calm.
“Mom, I told you. Mateo still has some work he needs to do. We both know who Mateo was, and what he does. What he’s going to do now will cause waves in the cartel.
He wants her here in case someone tries something.
” Despite the heavy heat, she rubbed her arms as a chill skated down her spine.
“I can’t risk someone trying something against you or Teo.
If Mateo believes this woman can protect us, I believe it, too. ”
Her mother frowned, her gaze sweeping toward Raven, unimpressed. “We don’t have a place for her to stay. Mateo has the small room. You’re sleeping with Teo. I have my bed.”
Before Eira could answer, Raven replied casually, her tone firm but easy. “That couch is fine for me. Or even the floor. Doesn’t matter.”
Both Eira and her mother turned sharply toward her, surprised she understood.
Raven gave a little shrug, the corner of her mouth twitching. “I know three or four languages.”
Her mother narrowed her eyes further. “Do you even have a weapon?”
The woman Mateo had left to care for them smiled.
It was a sharp, predatory smile that had nothing soft or comforting about it.
“I’m armed right now. I have at least five weapons on me.
And I don’t need a weapon to kill. I’ve been trained by the best. I promised Mateo I would take care of you, your mother, and your son.
No one will get through me to reach you. ”
Eira’s mother shook her head, her jaw tight with disapproval. “How are we supposed to explain her presence here? The cartel is suspicious. They’ll want to know who she is and what she’s doing here.”
Raven shrugged again, her voice light but unwavering. “That’s simple. I’m your niece. Your father’s brother’s daughter.”
Eira blinked, startled. She tilted her head. “How do you know my father had a brother?”
Raven rolled her eyes. “A simple internet search. Look, I’m not here to complicate your lives.
I’ll stay out of the way or help when I can.
I don’t know anything about cows, except they’re huge, and they stink.
But I can help around the farm if it doesn’t take me away from my main mission, which is protecting you. ”
“She’s staying, Mom.” Eira’s voice left no room for argument. “There’s no point in fighting about it.”
Her mother’s lips pressed into a thin line. “She doesn’t take care of Teo. She doesn’t stay alone with him. ”
Raven chuckled darkly. “Yeah, not really my thing either. I’ll leave the nappy changes and feeding to you and his mom.”
A sharp bark from outside sliced through the room.
Eira glanced toward the window and immediately stiffened when she spotted her dog and the small puppy Raven had brought with her, both yapping wildly at the front gate.
Dust curled in the air beyond them, stirred by the black SUV slowly creeping up the access road.
She didn’t need a closer look to recognize the vehicle.
“Mom,” she said quietly.
Her mother didn’t hesitate. She turned and disappeared down the hallway toward Teo’s room.
Eira’s heart raced as she peered out the window. Dust swirled around the SUV’s wheels as it slowed in front of the house, the midday heat shimmering off the black paint like liquid fire.
“It’s Ortega’s enforcers,” she muttered under her breath. Raven stepped up beside her, her expression unreadable. “What’s your name?” Eira asked quietly, keeping her gaze on the vehicle.
“Let’s stay with Raven,” she replied smoothly. “That’ll save us all some confusion.”
Together, they stepped onto the front porch as the SUV’s engine rumbled low, the scent of motor oil and dust wafting toward them on the hot breeze. Eira took a steadying breath, bracing herself as the door opened and Simón climbed out.
Simón was a monster by anyone’s definition. He was tall, broad, and cold as a loaded gun, but he’d always treated Eira with something close to respect. If monsters could have favorites, she was his.
“The dog’s ready?” he asked, his voice gruff.
“Yes,” she replied, forcing her shoulders back. “Make sure you clean up the motor fluids wherever the dog sleeps. It was probably antifreeze.”
Simón grunted, his gaze flicking past her to Raven. His eyes narrowed slightly.
“And her?” he asked, switching to English. “Who are you?”
Raven cocked her head at him, feigning confusion, then glanced at Eira, speaking in Spanish. “What did he say?”
“He wants to know who you are,” Eira replied dryly in the same language.
Raven smiled sweetly at Simón, though nothing was soft in her eyes. “I’m her cousin.”
“From where?”
“Sweden. Do you know it?” Raven said in fluent Swedish, or at least Eira assumed it was Swedish. It sounded European. Simón’s gaze sharpened, lingering, but he said nothing.
Eira looked at Simón and in Spanish said, “My father is from Sweden,” Eira added. “Everyone knows that I have family there.”
Simón narrowed his eyes. “Why would he send her here ?”
“Because I caused too much trouble at home,” Raven said in Spanish. “I’m being taught a lesson. Working with the cows and the chickens.”
The other men stepped out of the SUV now, moving like shadows, each falling into place with unsettling ease. Ortega’s enforcers came in many shapes. Simón was the professional, all-cool calculation. Marco, who slithered forward last, was the chaos.
His smile was oily and predatory, his gaze sliding over Raven in a way that made Eira’s stomach knot.
Simón shifted his stance to Eira. “Get the dog. We’ll wait here.” His order was barked, but Eira believed it was intended for Marco, not her.
Eira nodded, motioning for Raven to follow her into the small hospital. The moment the door shut behind them, she leaned in close, her voice low. “Stay away from Marco. He’s dangerous.”
Raven’s chuckle was soft, almost pleased. “I almost want him to try something. I saw him yesterday, and I heard what he said to you.” Her smile faded, her voice dropping to something harder. “But don’t worry, Eira. I won’t do anything that will endanger you. You need to believe that.”
Eira gave a tight nod and crouched to clip the leash onto the dog’s collar. The animal came out of the kennel with his tail wagging, and together, they stepped back outside, the heat pressing down on them. She handed the leash to Simón, and the dog immediately sat obediently at his side.
Simón’s face was unreadable as he spoke again. “Ortega asked me to extend an invitation. One I would recommend you take.”
A cold knot tightened in Eira’s stomach even before he finished, and she shook her head slowly, her jaw tightening. "Simón … Mateo came home."
Simón’s reaction was almost imperceptible. There was a flicker of surprise that vanished as quickly as it appeared. But Marco wasn’t nearly as disciplined. He let loose a string of curse words in rapid succession, his voice sharp in the heavy afternoon air.
Simón silenced him with a single cutting glance.
The weight of command in his stare brokered no hesitation.
Then Simón looked back at Eira, his eyes sweeping the farm’s landscape, taking in the swaying grass, the dust-coated fence line, and the distant line of cattle clustered beneath a thin stand of trees.
"Where is Mateo now?" he asked quietly.
Eira uncrossed her arms, anchoring her fingers through a belt loop of her jeans. "I believe he’s in town." Her gaze flicked to Marco, pointed and cold as she drove the point home. "My man is back."
Marco’s lip curled in a snarl, his eyes narrowing dangerously, but he said nothing.
Simón opened the back door of the SUV, and the dog jumped inside without another word. He motioned sharply to the other men lingering nearby, and one by one, Ortega’s enforcers filed back into the vehicle.
Simón lingered, closing the door gently before turning back to Eira.
"Ortega will not be happy." His gaze slid once more over the farm, lingering on the small farmhouse, the rusted swing set in the distance, the freshly painted barn. "If he can’t have what he wants, he might not protect you anymore. It’s not safe for you or your family.
" He glanced briefly at Raven. "For any of you. "
Eira’s spine stiffened. She hooked her thumb through her belt loop again and met his gaze without flinching.
"It’s never been safe for us here, Simón.
Not since the drugs started coming through this area.
" Her chin tilted defiantly. "But Mateo will protect us now.
And I pity anyone who thinks this is the right time to make a move. "
A faint smirk tugged at Simón’s mouth. "You might want to express that to Ortega. Or maybe I will. I haven’t been threatened lately.
" He scratched his chin absently, his attention drifting toward the cattle grazing lazily beyond the fence line, flies buzzing around their ears. "I don’t think you understand how deep Ortega’s obsession with you runs. "
Eira gave a bitter laugh. "Oh, I understand. I’ve understood since we were children. He needs to learn he can’t have everything he wants."
Simón’s expression sobered. "I’ve tried to warn you, to watch out for you."