by Cora Kenborn
Eight years later all she had to show for it were dirty hands.
“Yes, it’s me, and a belated welcome back to Houston. However, I really need to speak with you. It’s urgent.” Shifting a glance toward Alex, she scowled and settled her gaze back on me. “And private.”
“Sure, we can go to the bar.”
She eyed the room, her lips pressed in a tight line. “No, let’s go outside on the terrace.”
I nodded, not bothering to give Alex a proper goodbye as we walked away. “I’m not interested in being a part of my mother’s campaign, if that’s what you’re—”
“How well do you know that man?” she interrupted, reaching for the terrace door.
“Alex? I just met him. Why?”
Jackie opened her mouth, then glancing over my shoulder, shut it just as fast. The same chill from earlier crept back into my veins, forcing my spine to straighten. I knew he was there. I didn’t have to turn around to confirm it.
“Another time, Jackie. Leighton promised me a dance.”
“I never said I’d...” The rest of my protest stuck in my throat as Finn tightened his hold on my arm and dragged me toward the dance floor. I could’ve caused a scene. I could’ve stomped my feet and yelled at the top of my lungs, but what would that have gotten me? I hadn’t endured almost a week of pretending to lose it now.
My stepfather’s arms was the last place I wanted to be, but I gritted my teeth and concentrated on breathing as he pulled me close, leading me in a classic waltz. “We need to talk about your problem,” he whispered, turning me around on the dance floor.
“I don’t have a—” I never got the last word out because I did have a problem, and it reopened old scars, spilling blood and secrets as I stared into Finn’s eyes for the first time tonight.
They were the color of steel and just as hard. Just like the ones I saw in my rearview mirror the night I was almost pushed into oncoming traffic.
I remembered now why they’d looked so familiar.
Twenty-Four
Mateo
My hands tightened around the white pillar, causing my forearms to shake with rage. If it hadn’t been so thick, I probably would’ve snapped it in two.
I arrived at this parade of assholes already in a bad mood and it’d only gone downhill from there. When I showed up at Brody’s apartment, mild irritation reached war zone destruction level. That thing she was wearing couldn’t even be classified as a dress. It was more like a piece of red Saran Wrap suctioned to her tits and ass. Leighton was a modest dresser, so when I saw her looking like she should be covered in dollar bills, I lost it.
I fucking lost it.
Not that it mattered much. She strutted right past me and climbed into the Tahoe without a word. Even though we argued the whole way here, she never once raised her voice, content to let me yell like a fucking lunatic. She was calm, cool, and eerily confident.
Unlike now.
I cringed watching her slam champagne all night, but I stayed hidden. I even held back from punching that old guy with the chin dimple who made her jumpy as hell. But it was her stepfather’s repeated touches that had me stepping out of the shadows and digging into my pocket to plunge my knife straight into his heart.
Everything from my determined steps across the dance floor to Leighton’s desperate struggles to pull away from him played out in slow motion. She looked like a bird he’d trapped in a cage, frantically flapping her wings toward freedom but going nowhere.
One hand was already in my pocket by the time I reached them as the other knocked his hand out of hers. Leighton gasped, but my focus centered on one man.
“Walk away,” I growled, pushing in between them.
“I was dancing with my stepdaughter, if you don’t mind.” Stepping around me, he reached for Leighton again.
Screw the knife. I’m going to kill this motherfucker with my bare hands.
This time, I shoved both hands into his chest, knocking him backward. “Actually, I do mind. Now, I’m going to say this one more time. Get your fucking hands off her, or I’ll take them off for you.”
That wasn’t a threat.
“You can’t do this,” Leighton whispered behind me. “Don’t take risks for me.”
What the hell was she saying? All I’d done since coming back to Houston was take risks for her. Despite the animosity still simmering between us, I would still risk everything for her.
“What’s your name, son?” Finn asked, his eyes narrowed on my face. “I created the guest list for tonight, and I’m fairly certain you’re not on it.”
I started to tell him where he could shove his list when Leighton slipped in beside me and grabbed my hand. “He’s my plus one.”
“I thought you came here with Brody?”
I caught the challenge in Leighton’s glare. “You think a lot of things.”
Letting go of Leighton’s hand, I wrapped my arm around her waist. His eyes went exactly where I wanted them to, irritation hardening his pretty boy face.
“Well, Mr. Plus One, do enjoy the time you have left here.” Straightening his tuxedo jacket, he stepped away and disappeared into the crowd.
I waited for some show of gratitude. Instead, she stomped her ridiculously high heel on the floor. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that you were thirty seconds from flatlining, so I saved you. You’re welcome, by the way.”
“I can handle Finn.”
“It looked like it,” I shot back with a smirk. She turned on her thin heels to push me away, so I took advantage of her unsteady footing and pulled her flush against me. “Dance with me.”
“What?”
“People are starting to stare, mi amor. Dance with me or go answer their questions.” During our argument, the music had changed, the stuffy and outdated song they’d danced to now replaced by a slower, more hypnotic beat. Slowly guiding her hips, I forced her body into compliance until she melted into me.
She shivered in my arms and placed a hand lightly on my chest. “Mateo, that was stupid. You just outed yourself in front of every major player in Houston.”
“Are you kidding me?” I laughed. “Leighton, the Carreras own half the men in this room. Everyone here has a secret they don’t want exposed, and it’s our job to find it and use it to our advantage. Most men have a price.”
“Do you?” she asked, her face a mass of confusion.
I stiffened. “I said, most men. Let me be clear; I am not for sale, and I don’t give a shit about any skeletons falling out of my closet.”
Her face fell, and I wasn’t sure why. “I see.”
“I’m not sure you do.” I tightened my hold on her. “I don’t give a shit because my only skeleton is you, Leighton. I’ve kept you locked away in there so long, I almost forgot what it was like to feel you against me. Now that I’ve re-opened that door, if you think I’m going to hide like some little bitch while another man puts his hands on what’s mine, you’ve misjudged me.”
I didn’t wait for a response. Pulling her against me, I let my body crush any other doubts she might have had. The flush from her chest crawled up her neck, reddening her cheeks. I knew she felt the power she had over me. On any given day, I decided if men lived or died, but one woman in a ridiculous plastic dress could bring me to my knees.
“Why does Finn Donovan scare you so much?”
“He doesn’t. I’m fine.”
I’m fine.
If I’d learned anything about women, it was that when one bit out those two words, they were anything but fine. The mystery that was Leighton Harcourt unraveled by the minute, and I was all too happy to tug at the loose string.
“Tus secretos son mis secretos. Confía en mí, mi amor.” Your secrets are my secrets. Trust me, my love.
She shivered again and tucked her delicate face into the crook of my neck. My heartbeat spiked, at her confession. Verbally, she said nothing, but physically, she whispered everything I needed to hear.
Fo
r now.
We danced so close there was no beginning to her and no end to me. We danced like we did the night of her prom, filled with hope for a future together that would never come. We danced until her brother reluctantly cut in to take her to say hello to a family from their old neighborhood who’d apparently gained enough zeros in their bank account to warrant an invitation.
“Do you mind?” Brody asked, a strange respect on his face.
Brody Harcourt had never challenged my authority over him. I had his respect from day one concerning the cartel. However, something had changed, and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear I’d earned it for being with his sister. Which didn’t make sense when he’d spent the last six days threatening to cut off my dick if I laid a hand on her.
“It’s fine. I’ll find something to occupy my time.”
That something wasn’t hard to find.
Lilith Harcourt Donovan stood by the makeshift stage, her bright beaded dress calling to me from across the room like a disco ball from the depths of hell. I wanted to get her alone all night, but every time I took a step out of the shadows, some asshole waving a check in one hand and a drink in the other stole my opportunity. However, as she stared at the teleprompter, mouthing the words to her speech, I knew both our times had come.
“Fabulous party,” I said, leaning over her shoulder. She jumped, letting out a surprised yelp as she folded her hand over her chest.
“Thank you. I always love to hear from the community I represent. However, if you’ll excuse me, I have a speech to prepare for.”
“Oh, I’m not one of your constituents, Mayor Donovan. In fact, I don’t even live in this country anymore, much less your city or state. But I bet the ones who are here would love to get their hands on the scandal you’ve been hiding.”
She sighed, folding her arms across her chest in defeat. “If it’s about my daughter’s dirty little secret, you can save your breath. I already know.”
Shit! Did she know about Leighton and Luis? Or even worse, did she know about Leighton and the DEA? For a woman whose child was being blackmailed with a murder charge to infiltrate the darkest side of Houston, Lilith Donovan seemed to swat the revelation away like an annoying gnat.
Still, after what I’d seen tonight, I wouldn’t put anything past these people.
“Actually, this has nothing to do with your daughter. But speaking of dirty little secrets, maybe you can shed some light on one of yours.” It took less than ten seconds for me to pull my phone from my pocket, hold it in front of her face, and play the video I’d loaded onto it in all its pornographic glory.
Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God.”
“Mayor Donovan, that is one uncompromising position you’re in.” Tilting my head, I grimaced at their sudden awkward position. “And dangerous too. That could break a hip at your age.”
From the way her mouth tightened up like an uncooperative asshole, I knew I’d hit her where it hurt. She was more furious over my insult than the tape being in my possession.
She cleared her throat, moving in front of me to block any curious onlookers. “Where did you get that?”
For half a second, I considered telling her just to see how she’d react, but I decided against it. My best defense was a carefully constructed offense. I held all the cards and she knew it.
“Don’t worry about where I got it,” I said, maintaining an air of indifference. “I suggest you worry more about what your donors would think about their mayor being in bed with the cartel she claims to despise so much.”
Her green eyes blazed with fire. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Don’t test me, mayor. I’ve had a bitch of a day, so why don’t you start talking and maybe I’ll consider not ruining your little party.”
Her earlier panic settled into a sheet of ice. Any heated emotion evaporated, leaving only a political puppet mouthing meaningless words. Waving a hand in my face, she pushed my phone down and glared at the teleprompter. “That’s nothing. Anything can be photoshopped.”
“You’re telling me this is a fake?”
“Of course it is. Don’t be naïve,” she mocked. “Besides, what business is it of yours anyway? You have some nerve coming into my party and threatening me with this fabricated piece of garbage. I don’t know who you are, but by the looks of you, I assume you weren’t invited. Now please leave the premises before I have you escorted out.”
I had to give her points for being fearless. Then deduct them for pissing me off.
“What business is it of mine?” I forced myself to take a slow breath. “Oh, Mrs. Mayor, you see, this is connected to your daughter, and your daughter is very much my business. Can you say the same?”
“I assure you, nothing is more important to me than my family,” she huffed, sticking her chin out and regaining her composure. “If you must know, my daughter and I haven’t exactly been close these last few years. Not by my choice, mind you. I’ve only recently learned of my daughter’s deceit, thanks to my son.”
My head spun with lies and hidden agendas. I wanted to shake her to find out if Brody had sold out his own sister, but I kept my cards close, throwing game changers of my own choosing.
“Well then, tell me, Mayor Donovan, if your daughter is so important to you, it might interest you to know the man who was in possession of this video is dead.”
She placed her hand over her heart, feigning concern. “Oh dear, was it gang related?”
“I’d say more club related.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Looked to me like his head took a few impressive shots with a six iron,” I said, tapping my finger against my temple. “I’ve played a few times. Bad short game. I can drive the hell out of the ball but blow it on the green.”
That last part had nothing to do with anything. I just liked throwing her off balance and watching her stumble. She didn’t disappoint, her eyes clouding over as a million questions swirled behind them. She waited for more, and when I just stared at her, she patted her blonde hair and pursed her lips.
“Well, young man, it’s my turn for a few questions.”
I don’t think so, lady.
Darkening the screen on my phone, I slipped it back into my pocket and smiled. “No, we’re done here.”
It was obvious Lilith Donovan wasn’t used to being denied what she wanted, and she eyed my empty hand like a last-minute voter scrambling toward the polls. For a moment, I thought she might lunge for my pocket when a breathless Leighton shuffled in between us, the squeak of her dress announcing her arrival.
“Sorry that took so long. I forgot how much that woman talks.” She barely had time to let out a dramatic breath before her mother dug her nails into her arm, jerking her toward the edge of the stage.
“Why did you bring this lowlife thug here? You don’t think I know who he is?”
Leighton’s face paled so fast that I moved behind her to make sure she didn’t pass out. She had no cause to worry. After what I’d shown the mayor, I had no doubt she knew who I was. Only a cartel member would have such a damning piece of blackmail against her and not use it.
“We need to talk, darling,” Lilith coaxed. “I’ve just learned some very distressing news.”
Leighton covertly caught my eye, and I barely shook my head, the move so slight I wondered if she even noticed. I got my answer as she pulled away from her mother and sighed. “I don’t feel well. Can it wait until tomorrow?”
The heated death look Lilith shot me could’ve melted plastic. “I suppose, but I’m very worried about you.” She placed a hand on Leighton’s shoulder and squeezed it. “As well as other members of my family.”
Leighton’s lips trembled, and she squeezed my arm. “I’d like to leave now, please.”
She didn’t have to ask me twice. I’d done what I came to do, and the faster I got her out of that dress and burned it, the better. “After you,” I said, extending an arm in front of me.
“Wait!” Lilith blurted out, reac
hing for her hand and pulling her up the steps toward the stage. “It’s time for my speech, and I want my family surrounding me.”
On instinct, I followed them, but as Brody and Finn swept past me, Brody shook his head and held up his hand. I didn’t have to ask why. The flash storm of press cameras took care of that. Neither of them needed the publicity of an uninvited Latino rushing the stage and carrying off the prodigal daughter on his shoulder.
So, I bit my tongue and watched.
Lilith carried on and on about the fight to the governor’s mansion and her campaign promise to rid Texas of its toxic cartel infestation. I yawned. It was the same song and dance I’d heard from every politician in this city—right before we bought the rights to their opinions and their votes.
I only paid attention when she introduced her successful son, the ADA of Harris County, and her beautiful college graduate daughter who’d just returned home to support her mother in fighting the good fight. As the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, I watched Lilith lean over and whisper in Leighton’s ear. To the average person, the conversation would’ve been lost. However, the art of lipreading was one of the many invaluable skills I’d learned while serving under Val. It came in handy when watching assholes try to backdoor us.
Kind of like now.
Lilith tilted her head toward me while smiling for the hundreds of flashing cameras. “I see some things never change.”
I was still trying to decipher what the hell that meant when Leighton nodded toward her stepfather and volleyed back, “I couldn’t agree more.”
Twenty-Five
Mateo
Leighton slipped off a high heel and shrugged. “You misread the conversation.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence,” I warned as she tossed her shoes across the room. “I may be a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them. What did your mother mean when she said, ‘I see some things never change?’” She glanced away, the wheels spinning in her head. Too bad for her, my patience was gone. “And before you make up something, I saw her nod her head toward me.”