Page 105 of Rum & Coke

“So, are you saying that all the girls at the club owe him?”

“I’m saying that all the girls, including you, are lucky to have worked for a man who wants to do good in the world.”

“How is dealing drugs good for the world?”

“It’s not. The money he gets from the drugs help the world, help my country.”

Everything always came back to money. As I stared at her again, I finally understood …

Money held all the power.

After I washed my face, I went back downstairs and resumed my place in the lounge chair while Colton finished his schooling. As soon as Helen left for the day, Valentina came into the living room.

“Mr. Delarosa called. He wants me to take Colton to the park.”

I drew my head back. “What? Why?”

“He didn’t say, but he wants him out of the house.”

Panic instantly flooded my body. “Why?”

“I do not know, but I do as he says.”

“I’m not letting you take my son,” I argued. “He’s only been to the park once, and it didn’t go so well.”

“Please, cariño. He will be okay.”

“How do you know?”

“Mr. Delarosa said he is coming with business to take care of, and he wants me to get Colton out of the house for a while.”

“No, you’re not taking my son.”

“Please—” Valentina started to beg but stopped when Sebastian walked in through the door. He looked at me then Valentina. “I’m sorry, she will not let me take him.”

He turned back to me. “Tessa, I’m doing this for your own good.”

“How is taking my son for my own good?”

He cupped my cheek. In the last month and a half, I’d slowly begun to let him. Not because I wanted the affection from him, but because I wanted him to think he didn’t sicken me. I felt as though if I did what he asked, there would be some sort of gap—an escape—that I could take at my first opportunity to get out.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“I don’t like surprises,” I lied. Everyone liked surprises, but I wasn’t sure what Sebastian considered a surprise.

“You will like this one, Tessa Baby. I promise.”

“Why does Colt need to go away?”

“Because you won’t want him to see or hear what’s about to happen.”

“What’s about to happen?”

He grinned. “Payback.” Sebastian snapped his fingers and Valentina moved to Colton, picked him up and took him to the door. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.”

But would he come back?

“He likes the swing,” I called to Valentina as she and a guard walked out the door.