Page 59 of Shameless Vows

Malachi Sterling: ¿Por qué debería creerte?

Why should I believe you?

A minute passed, and a picture came through. It was an elderly, weathered, yet feminine hand holding an aged photograph of a middle-aged woman holding a little boy on her lap. It was also positioned in front of a current calendar of the month of April, as though proving that it had just been taken.

Unknown Number: Somos Ernesto y yo.

Unknown Number: Lo cuidé de niño. Soy una pariente. No puedo contactarlo. Pero Isla está en peligro.

Unknown Number: Eres el duque que la amaba, ¿verdad?

The picture is of me and Ernesto. I cared for him as a child. I can’t contact him, but Isla is in danger. Aren’t you the duke who used to love her?

My hands grew clammy despite the fact that this really wasn’t my fucking problem and hadn’t been for years. Because,yes, mystery texter, Ididlove her. I loved her way fucking more than she deserved given what she did to me.

Malachi Sterling: Sí, pero ¿qué se supone que debo hacer al respecto?

What am I supposed to do about this?

Unknown Number: Dile. No puedo. Ella esta en peligro.

Tell him. I can’t. She’s in danger.

Malachi Sterling: ¿Qué tipo de peligro? ¿Cuál es la amenaza?

What kind of danger? What is the threat?

There was no reply after that, so I attempted to call the number despite it registering asunknownin the message thread.

I huffed and sprang off the bed, pacing in circles around the suite, my stomach curdling and sweat beading on my forehead, and thiswasn’t my fucking problem.Why the fuck did I evencare, let alonecare this much?

I already knew why. And I already knew what I was going to have to do.

I tossed the phone on the bed long enough to pull on a pair of trousers, then went out to the balcony to make a call even though I knew it was the middle of the night wherehewas.Hepicked up after about three rings.

“I don’t know who you are,” Ernesto grumbled through a sleep-rasped voice, “but this better be important, or I will trace your phone number, locate you, and send someone to kick your ass and break your phone.”

Well, the ability to trace a phone number and locate someone was exactly what I needed right then,sooo…

“Ernesto. This is Malachi Sterling.”

It was honestly shocking that he didn’t drop the phone or hang up immediately.

It took all of twenty minutes to discuss the situation with him, and then I hung up and slipped back inside the suite. Elena was perched on the edge of the bed, lathering her long, curvy legs with lotion.

I slipped my hands in my pockets. “My dear.”

She inclined her chin upward as she glanced at me. “Yes?”

“I’m afraid I have to leave you now.”

Her eyes shifted. “Leave me nowas in this resort, or as inthis courtship?”

“Both,” I said matter-of-factly.

Elena hesitated as she pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows, turning her attention back to her legs and the lotion. “Inthatcase…” She rubbed her shin a few more times before crossing her legs and leaning back to rest her palms behind her as she smiled coyly up at me. “Do me the courtesy of covering the rest of my stay this weekend?”

Elena was cool as fuck. I did like her. She would’ve made a fine wife and a perfect duchess.