Deadly Love

by Yvonne Bennett

  "Well, if it isn't my old friend Andres." A menacing laughed through the speaker.

  "Hello to you too, Raul. I'm here to speak with you about a bit of espionage going on." Andres glared at the intercom.

  "Espionage, you say? Interesting." The intercom shut off, and then a loud buzz rung out.

  The lock released on the door and Andres pulled it open, revealing two huge bodyguards. They confiscated the group’s weapons then check them any hidden ammo. Once they were cleared the guards led them to Raul, who was sitting in his study, puffing on a fat cigar.

  "Hello, old friend." He greeted Andres with a sly smirk.

  "Raul," Andres replied with a stiff nod.

  "Oh, where are my manners? Would you gentlemen like to have a seat?" Raul waved toward the chairs near his desk.

  Agostino and Andres took a seat as their men flanked them.

  "So, what brings you around these parts, Andres? Haven’t seen you since your first real with the Russians fell through in '06." Raul lifted a brow.

  "I assure you I've made many lucrative deals with the Russians since then, but that's beside the point. I believe one of your members has been spying on Agostino." Andres relayed, causing all humor to leave Raul.

  "One of my men? Following your cousin? For what, do tell?" He stroked his chin.

  "That's why we're here, Raul, to ask you that same question." Andres hit back.

  Pulling the still from his pocket, he slid it across Raul's desk. The dark-skinned Ecuadorian looked at the photo curiously, and his brow raised.

  "Mario Garcia, 32 yrs old. He hasn't been affiliated with my cartel since 2012. Thought he was hot shit and went rogue in arms dealing. I see that fell through." Raul mumbled, playing with the soft hair of his beard.

  Agostino lifted a brow at Raul's comment. Rogue? Then finding Mario would be harder now that they had this information. He could be anywhere at any time.

  "What's confusing to me is what reason Mario would have to stalk Agostino? It couldn't simply be to take him out of the arms game since every illegal gun entering and leaving Colombia goes through him first. Mario wouldn't stand a chance against your cousin." Raul thought aloud.

  "He was sending encrypted photos of my wife to my compound through a pedestrian PO box." Agostino clarified the situation for Raul.

  "Hmm, maybe a lover's triangle? She boned him, he caught feelings like a pussy, and now he's after you? Contract killing?" Raul threw out, making the cousins look at each other.

  "The only bit of advice I can tell you is follow the party," Raul advised, leaving men stumped.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Bobbie walked through the dark kitchen, making her way to the fridge. Pulling it open, she took out the tray of finger sandwiches Andres' maid prepared earlier. Placing the tray on the kitchen island, Bobbie lifted the cover and grabbed a mini sandwich. Biting into it, she moaned lowly. She relaxed against the island, and her mind traveled to Agostino. She tried to tell herself she was silly for even being worried for him after all he put her through. But her heart...her heart was panicking.

  Agostino and Andres had been gone a week and had to call her with any new leads or to check in on her and Emilio. What if...what if they were dead? The succulent salami, Dijon mustard, and lettuce suddenly tasting rotten on her pallet, and Bobbie struggled to swallow it down. What would she and her son do then? Not only would she be stranded in Madrid, but also left to fend-off for stalker herself. Plus, she didn't even have a direct number to call Agostino.

  Not to mention, she couldn't even call Andres' since Agostino had confiscated her phone on the plane ride to Madrid three weeks ago. Bobbie felt utterly sick. She had no way of getting in touch with the outside world, nor would the security detail give her any updates. Bobbie covered the sandwiches then placed them back in the fridge. As she went to pivot, a flash of light caught her eye through the back doors, and she paused. The light disappeared and reappeared, causing Bobbie to inch closer to the doors. A masked, dark figure crept through the back garden, and Bobbie's nerves stood on end.

  Slowly, she stepped backwards so the intruder wouldn't see her, her big fear eyes on the glass doors. Once she made it out the archway, Bobbie took off running toward the stairs. Making her way to the security room, she saw it empty. Shit! Tipping in, she observed the cameras, trying to see where the assailant was. Her eyes landed on the middle monitor, and she noticed what appeared to be a few security guards down in the cellar area checking the fuse box. Trailing her eyes to the third monitor, which was facing opposite the man working on the fuse box, Bobby saw the assailant sneaking up on the guards, gun drawn.

  "No!" She screamed in terror as she watched the men get gunned down.

  Once he took out the security guards, the perpetrator begins shooting off the locks on the back door. Bobby snatched away from the monitors, running out of the room and to her own, scooping Emilio up into her arms. Zooming out of the room she ventured toward Andres'office. She flung the door open and to the closet, pulling it open quickly. Rushing in, Bobbie found the trap door on the floor and yanked it open. Cautiously, she hopped in, clutching Emilio tight. She descended the narrow stairs until she came to the base and began running.

  Unlike Agostino's old getaway route, which led to the other side of his house, Andres' route led straight to the train station. By the time the intruder found out she had been in the mansion, she'd be halfway to the train station. The sound of a bullet flying past her temple caused her to help in panic. She peered back and saw the dark dressed figure rushing toward her. Oh God! Bobbie turned around and sped up her sprints. Another bullet fired off, clipping the skin on the side of her thigh. Bobbie tumbled to the ground, making sure to brace all her weight on her side and not Emilio. The whines of her infant pierced the dank air as Bobbie fell to the ground.

  She quickly gathered Emilio up as she scooted back, the intruder fastly approaching her.

  "Please don't!" She begged as the man aimed his gun at her and her son.

  "Please!" She cried frantically as the assailant's finger brushed the trigger.

  Two loud bangs went off, and Bobbie tensed up. A second went by. Then two. Bobbie opened her eyes and saw the gunman laying face down on the concrete, blood oozing from his back and head. Peering down the corridor Bobbie saw two outlines approaching. Once they grew closer, she realized it was Agostino and Andres.

  "Bobbie, are you okay?" Andres hurriedly came over to her.

  "No!" Bobbie tearfully replied as she tried to stand.

  Andres went to help her up, but Agostino stopped him, scooping Emilio in his right arm and Bobbie into his left. Andres bent down and removed the masked from the perpetrator's face and froze.

  It was… Mario.

  Agostino and Andres looked at each other, sharing the same thought. Mario knew they'd be gone, and he knew the layout of the entire house. The only people that knew of this escape exit were him, Agostino, Bobbie, and his staff. The foursome left the cellar, Agostino going to Bobbie's room while Andres alerted his clean up of the body on the escape route. Agostino pushed Bobbie's room door open and entered. He placed a wet faced Emilio in his pack n' play then put Bobbie in the bed. He began to hastily check her for any wounds.

  He found the flesh wound on her back thigh and gazed up at her intently.

  "It's just a flesh wound. A few inches closer, and you'd be crying over a shattered femur." Agostino told her softly.

  "Is it supposed to fucking sting?" Bobbie gritted her teeth together as Agostino's long fingers grazed her wound.

  "A little." Agostino eyed her twisted, pain-filled face as he replied.

  He stood and went to retrieve the first aid kit from the bathroom then returned to Bobbie's side. He cleaned the wound then bandaged it.

  "Now, tell me everything." He ordered once he finished.

  "I was downstairs getting something to eat when I saw him flashing a light near the door." Bobbie began recounting the events from earlier that led up to now.

 
; When she finished, she gazed at Agostino with anxious, frightful eyes.

  "I thought...I thought Emilio and I," she paused as she choked up.

  "Shhh, don't say it, Hermosa. You and our hijo are fine, do you hear me?" He reassured, and Bobbie let out a long, breathless sob.

  Agostino pulled her into his arms and cradled her. He rocked her gently as she cried, his firmly placed on Emilio. He had pulled himself up in his pack n' play, watching his parents with wet streaks flowing his face. Agostino released Bobbie and went to pick his son up. Returning to the bed with Emilio, he wrapped his arms around his wife. Although Mario was nice and dead, Agostino knew this wasn't over.

  It was far from over.

  ****

  Days later, Bobbie was walking down the halls of a brand new home, this time in Portugal. The house was just bought and it was already completely furnished. And just like before, she and Emilio had their own room. Although she and Agostino had been a bit more cordial since the break-in in Madrid, she still couldn't bring herself to be around. Maybe because her feelings from a year ago were trying to bubble to the surface. She kept telling herself that she shouldn't be drawn to him. That she shouldn't feel protected in his presence.

  That this wasn't love.

  Bobbie kept trying to rationalize her feelings as Stockholm syndrome, that she simply felt this way because she was being held hostage. Now that the stalker was dead, there was no reason for her to be here. She could make her escape at any time. And yet, three days had passed, and she and her son were still here. Half of it was because she was in a different country with a child and didn't know her away around. And the other half?

  Her confusion.

  Bobbie didn't know what to do. Coming to her bedroom door, she nudged it open with her elbow and walked in. Going over to Emilio's little play area Andres had surprised them with, Bobbie sat him down and watched as he began playing. Emilio banged and smashed his toys together, smiling in Glee at the ruckus he was making. A sigh fell from Bobbie's lips as she turned to look out the window a few feet away. She couldn't believe she was alive. She swore she and Emilio were about to meet their maker three days ago.

  Never in her life did she ever want to be that scared again. A knock sounded at her door, then it opened, revealing her husband. Agostino stepped in like he owned the place and eyed his wife and son.

  Well, he did.

  "You didn't come down for lunch." He stated with a raised brow.

  "I'm not in the mood for lunch right now. I just want to do a little thinking and play with Emilio." She told him honestly.

  "Hmm…" Agostino looked her up and down, causing Bobbie to turn away.

  "And what do you wish to think about, Hermosa?" Agostino slipped his hands into his pockets as he neared her.

  "Why does it concern you, Carmine?" Bobbie sassed lightly.

  Agostino sighed in amusement at her reply.

  "If my wife is getting too ahead of herself by thinking of escaping, it is my concern." Agostino took a seat on her made up bed.

  "Emilio and I are not staying here, Agostino. I told you this already when this whole thing began." His wife countered.

  "I don't remember agreeing to that, Maravillosa." He chuckled. His humor only made Bobbie frustrated.

  "You can't keep me here, Agostino. If you do, Emilio and I will spend every single day trying to escape you. I promise that on my life." Bobbie hissed as she stood.

  "Oh? And how would you survive on your own, with no money? The bank account Ana had set up for you has been closed thanks to a few of my cousin's connections, so if you do decide to jump ship you'll have nothing to fall back on." Agostino flashed a dazzling smile yet, it only turned Bobbie's stomach.

  This bastard!

  Bobbie glared at him as her chest rose and fell rapidly.

  "Don't care about the money, Agostino. I'll run every day until I'm free, whether I'm broke or not. I refuse to stay here and let you treat me like a possession! I refuse to stay here and let you put your hands on me in front of Emilio. I refuse," she stopped herself before she revealed too much to him.

  She couldn't possibly let him know.

  "You refuse to what, hmm? Having whatever you want at the snap of a finger? Mind-blowing sex with someone that fucking worships your body at any size? Someone that's willing to give their life for you? Stop fucking thinking so much and realize that your place is here. I'm never going to let you go. I was never going to let you go, hermosa." As if a light switch was thrown, Bobbie broke down, crying at his admission.

  "What?" She swallowed back her tears and looked at him stunned.

  Agostino laughed lowly as he stood from the bed and walked over to her. Stooping down, he grasped her cheek and kissed it softly.

  "You wanna know why I killed Freddie, Mrs. Carmine? I knew that if that piece of shit actually did get my money and coke back, he would have hounded me to return you to him. And after getting a taste of you," he trailed his lips to her ear.

  "I knew I couldn't let you go." He gripped the back of her neck, gently forcing her head up.

  "You're here to stay, Bobbie, and there's nothing you can do about it." Bobbie frowned deeply up at him before he captured her lips in a searing kiss.

  "I'll never be with you freely, Agostino. You'll never have my heart while I'm alive." She jerked away, and Agostino clenched his jaw.

  He released her with a light shove then left the room. Bobbie eyed the open room door as she hugged herself, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Andres examined the lavishly written invite in his hand with a frown. It was an invite from David Gomez for a party in Beja this weekend.

  "What is that?" Agostino questioned as he walked into the sitting room his cousin was lounging in.

  "An invite, dearest cousin." Andres gave his cousin a look as he held out the gold and cream invite card.

  Agostino read over the decorated paper with furrowed brows.

  "How did Gomez know we were in Beja?" He questioned his cousin with squinted eyes.

  Andres looked at his cousin bored, trying his best to withhold the urge to clock Agostino upside the head. Was this guy still on this bullshit?

  "That's what I'd like to know. I haven't had any contact with Gomez since two months ago at Alissa's party." Andres shrugged.

  Agostino stroked his bottom lip as he took in what his cousin said. David had properties in New York, Atlanta, Portugal, an Ecuador, and was constantly throwing parties as an excuse to lure in young girls to fuck behind his wife's back. Plus, Beja was only so big and was popular amongst the cartels because of the dry desert land out East that made disposing of dead bodies easier.

  "I say let's drop in and find out." Agostino threw his cousin a dark smirk.

  The party rolled around a week later, Bobbie getting invited as bait. She wore a long white, off the shoulder gown with clear heels and her hair in finger waves. Both Agostino and Andres were dressed to the nines in tailored suits and expensive dress shoes, looking almost like identical twins. Their hair was parted and combed back showcasing their strong family features. They were both gorgeous men that choose the wrong occupation. The car they were in pulled up to the museum where David was hosting his party, and the driver got out and pulled their back open.

  Agostino slid out first then turned to help Bobbie. Andres and Johnny exited last. The group sauntered up the shirt staircase to the museum door and entered. Bobbie gazed around nervously as she fiddled with her jeweled clutch. It was one thing to be used as bait, but to be used as bait because your husband was trying to lure out the 'real' spy. She was pissed! This whole scenario was not playing out like she had planned.

  She had mapped out the entire mansion in Madrid, hoping to escape from there, only to wind up learning the layout of the new house here in Portugal because of Mario's attack. Plus, along with the move came new staff, and Bobbie was not fond of leaving Milio with strangers.

  "Relax, hermosa. You're stiffer
than a damn 2 by 4." Agostino put a hand on her waist, causing her to tense more.

  She looked up at him and saw his eyes roaming her.

  "That's because you're literally feeding me to the person you're supposed to be protecting me from. What if I don't make it back to Emilio tonight?" Bobbie bit her lip anxiously.

  "Don't be silly, Bobbie. Agostino would crucify this entire room over you." Andres joked yet, Bobbie didn't laugh.