Page 36 of Raphael

I ignored her denial of blood relations like she hadn’t spoken. “Or I’ll have to manhandle you and you’ll still come with me so I can protect my brother.”

Her eyes narrowed to slits. “What about the option where you let us go?”

“There isn’t one.”

There was no place on Earth she and her son could hide from me. I’d hunt her and find her. Every goddamn time.

Couldn’t the stubborn woman see it was for her own good?

She attempted to jerk against me again. Unsuccessfully. Except, her nice round ass ground against my groin and my cock instantly came to attention. Jesus. I had always had control over my impulses until this woman.

The moment I came into the room and scented her faint primrose perfume, my dick decided it was time to play. Fucking annoying as shit. It was the wrong time, the wrong place, and the wrong girl.

The Tijuana Cartel hitmen were on their way here now. We had to get a move on.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, Caine and Gabriel barged in.

“We have to move,” Caine barked. “Two cars approaching. One mile away. Tijuana Cartel.”

When we arrived, we just sat back and watched. Ensured it was safe. We spent the night taking turns keeping Gabriel and his aunt safe.

This morning, Nico sent the forewarning. Santiago Tijuana was on the move. So we came to grab them. We had an hour's heads up. Tops. We found Gabriel in the living room, playing a game on the iPad and greeting us with a smile. He wasn’t even scared to see us walk through the door.

Sailor should have at least taught him the stranger-danger rule.

“Mom, are you okay?” Gabriel watched us, trying to determine whether I was hurting his mother.

So I slowly turned her around and had her face me. Her eyes wide, ping-ponged between her son, me, and Caine.

“Sailor, they’ve found you already,” I attempted one more time. I’d have to sedate her if she refused to cooperate. We were running out of time and options. Gabriel might have to witness it, which wasn’t ideal. “I’m your best bet. I can keep you and Gabriel protected.”

“You led them here,” she accused.

“Nobody followedus,” I snapped, keeping my voice somewhat measured. “Unlike you, my men and I know how to move in the shadows. You don’t. They’ve had you all along. You’re just lucky I was here first.”

I could see her process the words, wheels spinning in that pretty head of hers, and I saw the decision in her eyes and the way she straightened her shoulders before she spoke.

“Okay, but if you try anything-” The meaning lingered in the air. Her threats meant nothing but I appreciated it nonetheless.

She’d do anything for her son, and I’d do anything to protect them both.

ChapterNineteen

SAILOR

“You have my blood vow. My goal is to keep you and Gabriel safe.”

I might be stupid but I believed him. Though it surprised me that he found me so fast. This was the one place that the Ashfords kept away from the public, and it was their escape place. Where no media or anyone could find them.

Only a select few knew about this place. Their closest friends. Of course, Aurora, Willow, and I spent many days during our school years here. My parents would drop me off and Byron, being the oldest, usually kept an eye on usbrats. His favorite endearment for us.

Just as I nodded, the ground was rocked by a violent shudder and Gabriel ran to me, wrapping his arms around me.

“What’s that?” His eyes, so much like Raphael’s, widened, filling with fear.

“The enemy,” Raphael answered. “It’s time to move. Fast.”

Without delay, I took Gabriel’s hand, snatched his backpack off the floor, and followed Raphael out of the room and down the hallway. I might hate the guy but hewasour better alternative right now. The Tijuana Cartel would kill us - no discussion.