Page 100 of Till Death Do Us Part
I gasped. “Oh my God. Is anyone…the women…?”
He sat straight and exhaled. “Three casualties, including one of the new girls.” He stood abruptly, the muscles in his arms bulging. “She was only eighteen. A fucking kid. Most of these workers are runaways or disenfranchised from their family. We don’t even have contact information to notify family. The fire started after Wanderland closed. The building went up like kindling. It’s a total loss. Now the fucking authorities are involved. Some asshole detective made an offhand comment that we probably torched the place on purpose to hide our operations.”
“Aléjandro, I’m sorry.”
“A few other women were injured. They won’t be able to work until their burns heal. The old dorms at Wanderland are gone. Renovation has started.”
“You need a place to house the women, a place that’s safe.”
“Right now, they’re staying at one of our halfway houses.”
My eyes grew wide, recalling the hideout I’d seen. “Are they safe?”
“Probably not. Em is looking at a few options, but we can’t get anything fast enough. And when we do, we don’t want the building associated with the cartel. It’s like putting a fucking target on the women.”
“Are you sure it was the bratva?”
He nodded. “They left a calling card—a human finger.” He shook his head. “Thankfully the police and fire personnel didn’t find it.”
I stood. “Can I help?”
“And do what?”
“I don’t know, anything. I could help with getting the women settled into a new place. I mean, I’m sure Em and Nick are kind” —I wasn’t sure— “but it might help to have a woman involved.” I thought of shopping with Silas. “I could be the face of the purchaser of a new building. Again, I’m less intimidating, and unless they know me, they won’t know I’m associated with the cartel.”
Aléjandro shook his head. “I don’t want you on the front lines. You’re more important than all the whores.”
It reminded me of something Dario had said. “I can also be more trouble, according to my brother. Really, Aléjandro. Our home is furnished. Other than planning for the party, I’m twiddling my thumbs.”
“Go shopping.Mi madreenjoys that.”
I went closer and laid my hand on his chest. “I want to help people. I’ve never truly been in a position to do that before now. You’ve given me the means. Let me use it.”
“The philanthropic arm of the Roríguez cartel?” He shook his head. “Let me think about it.”
ChapterTwenty-Seven
Mia
Two days later and over a month earlier than I planned, I met my brother as he and Diego entered the gate to our home. Dante looked as handsome as ever, and while dressing up wasn’t his forte, he was impeccable in a custom suit. The months of separation came crashing down on me. I ran toward him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’ve missed you.”
Dante reached for my arms and pushed me back, his eyes narrowing. “Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” He furrowed his forehead. “One of the last times I saw her, she wanted me to gut her fiancé.”
I laughed. “Things have worked out better than I could ever have imagined.” I lowered my voice. “Let’s not talk too loudly about my murder-for-hire scheme. I’m no longer interested.”
“I didn’t figure you were, not with this wild request you made.”
Locking my arm with Dante’s, I led him into our home. “Thank you for accepting. Aléjandro approves. I thought it was a good plan and a way for the famiglia to show the cartel we’re partners.”
“It’s a great plan, fucking bratva.” Dante stopped, seeing Aléjandro on one of the stools at the kitchen counter. My husband was facing us, his expression unreadable as he casually sat, also handsome, filling out his black short-sleeved t-shirt and black jeans. Aléjandro stood and Dante went toward him, with his hand extended. As they shook, Dante said, “You must be doing something right. Mia’s not only happy, but she also no longer wants you dead.”
I shook my head.
My husband scoffed and reached for me, wrapping his arm around my waist and tugging me toward him. “You wanted me dead?”
“He wasn’t supposed to tell you.” I turned to my brother. “Thanks a lot.”
“It wasn’t much of a secret.” Aléjandro’s expression softened. “We appreciate you making the trip, Dante. Come in my office. Your first meeting is in less than two hours. I’ll go through the plan and paperwork with you.” He turned to me. “Do you want to hear it again?”