“Even more so than now?”
“Without a doubt. However, you must know that I never intended on harming anyone innocent.” I meant the words, troubled by having gunned down a young man likely in the prime of his life. The ruse had been planned well, the descriptions of the Capos well known. Hell, I’d seen them clearly through the glass window of the restaurant. Their close resemblance was uncanny. Or maybe the documentation providing pictures of the three men had been doctored. If that was the case, the betrayal went exceedingly high on the food chain.
The single call I’d made to Jorge had provided enough instructions I could remain on lockdown for at least twelve hours. I’d resisted the urge to rip him a new asshole for divulging anything about Savannah. Tensions were already far too high at this point. At least I could be assured every port had increased security, the ships also on lockdown. There would be nothing coming in or out until I gave my say.
“The men outside the restaurant?” she asked.
Sighing, while telling her anything wasn’t my intention, she deserved to know why we were running. “Yes. Evidently, they had nothing to do with the particular organization leader I believed was in the location.”
“I believe you,” she said quietly, even going as far as reaching over and stroking my leg.
The gentle touch was far too giving, the gesture almost putting aside the fact that the murders had happened. She still had no full understanding of the bastard I truly was. At some point, the bubble would be broken, her assessment of me locked into concrete. Even so, I would still protect her with my life.
While I’d managed to evade the various policia cars, there were likely dozens dispatched to search within a fifty-mile radius if not more. Catching a member of the Santiago family was worth pushing every boundary.
With only five miles to go, we stood a chance of making it to the safe house without incident. I’d told her nothing except we were leaving. There’s been no time for anything, including shutting down the house. I was certain the policia had gained access and would toss everything. At least I never mixed business with pleasure, anything regarding the business at a separate location also off the radar. The worst discovery would be computer and recent searches.
However, that was no smoking gun, not that they needed real evidence for an indictment.
I slowed as I approached the house, finally pulling the car into a bank of trees almost two hundred yards away and cutting the engine. The only sign indicating the location of the house was a single fluorescent square on the road. Thankfully, I knew the place by heart. By design, there was absolutely no way to see the house from the road. Total anonymity could save our lives.
“Here?” she asked as she leaned forward.
“We walk the rest of the way. Come on. You’re going to take my hand and remain quiet. Is that clear?”
She narrowed her eyes but nodded before easing out of the car.
I pulled the gun from my holster, checking the ammo before climbing out. There was no sign that anyone had been here for months. Even the caretaker of the place was cognizant of the reason he was paid very well for his duties, making certain the pathway leading in was all but invisible. If he’d done his job, the location was stocked with food and drink, even clothing in case the house was required to protect one of our own.
Male or female.
I took her hand, leading her even deeper into the forest, my memories kicking in. It had been almost a year since I’d been here, coming to regroup after Javier’s death. Everything looked much the same. I felt a sharp tug in my heart as we drew near, the closeness I’d felt to my brother strongest in the small house by the sea.
The place he’d dreamed of retiring to.
The moment I caught a glimpse of the roof, I placed my finger in front of my lips, shaking my head before whispering into her ear. “Stay here, and I’m serious about this, Savannah. Do not venture off. I will make certain we are alone.”
She nodded, all the while studying the oversized trees, the shadows that remained even after morning had dawned. I crept through the forest, moving slowly and without so much as a sound, standing on the outskirts in order to make certain there was no one visible. I kept low