“You did what you felt was right at the time, Kandy. Don’t beat yourself up about the choices you make. You can always go back home if you need to, talk to them in person if it’ll help.”
“Yeah, I can, but what if I’ve ruined my relationship with them forever?”
I shook my head. “I know your parents, and I know there is nothing in this world that can ruin your bond with them. Your mom could be tied up right now and probably hasn’t had a chance to call you back yet. Just try again…or call D.”
Kandy rolled her eyes at that last comment, picking her phone up from the counter. “I’ll try my mom again.” She turned away, dialing as she walked toward the patio door. When she was out, I walked to the fridge, taking out a green apple and biting into it. My phone chimed in my back pocket, and I pulled it out. It was a text from David, the man I paid to keep an eye on Buck.
David: His probation hearing was this morning, but he checked out of his motel a few minutes ago.
I’ll follow, keep an eye on where he might be headed.
“Goddamn it,” I grumbled. I knew this was going to happen. I had no idea his probation hearing would be so soon, but I prayed to God he hadn’t checking out of that motel to come find me. I wasn’t in the mood for his shit right now.
The patio door slid open again, and I looked halfway over my shoulder before tucking my phone into my pocket, spotting Kandy’s figure.
“That was quick. I’m assuming there wasn’t an answer?”
“Cane,” she whispered, but there was something off about her voice. Although it was quiet, it was tense, panicked. I turned quickly, and my eyes stretched wide when I realized why she sounded so terrified.
The barrel of a silver revolver was pointed at the back of her head, a tan hand wrapped around the wood-inlaid handle. His finger was wrapped around the trigger, and I knew damn well he would pull it without hesitation if he had reason to do so.
I took a step forward with my hands up, silently begging with my eyes that he remain calm as he pushed her inside with his other hand, using the tips of his fingers to nudge her.
His hair was just as I’d remembered—pushed back, slick with gel— but his face wasn’t clean like usual. He had dark scruff surrounding his chin and jawline now. His eyes were still the same. Dark and bottomless. I could never read his eyes—never knew if he was annoyed or content. I thought after so many months, he wouldn’t show up at all—that he considered it too risky and didn’t want to take any chances—yet there he was. In the flesh. Right when I least expected it.
Draco Molina. Kingpin. Cartel leader. A murderous, intimidating motherfucker.
“Who the hell is she?” he growled, the gun still pointed at her head.
My heart pounded in my chest, my pulse rising in my ears, and I saw tears line Kandy’s eyes.
“That’s Kandy. She’s my girl. She’s won’t say anything about you, so put the gun down.”
“Just because you tell me she won’t doesn’t mean I should believe you. She’s young. Young people tend to do dumb shit.” His nostrils flared as he looked her over from behind, and then swung his eyes up to put his focus on me. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t blow her brains out right here, right now. And make it quick. I don’t have time to waste.”
“Because I love her,” I said hurriedly, fists clenching. I hated when he played these stupid fucking games.
His chin tipped, but his eyes narrowed in exchange. “Love…” He sucked his teeth. “How old are you?”
“She’s nine—”
“I’m asking her,” he snarled, still glaring at her. “Turn around and face me.”
With her hands still in the air, she moved her eyes from me and turned slowly to look at him. She was shaking, her bottom lip trembling. The tears that had lined her eyes had spilled. He didn’t lower the gun, either. He still held it in her face, lifting it higher and pressing it to her forehead.
“Please,” she pleaded.
He pressed his lips, eyes still hard.
“Draco,” I pleaded. “Stop this shit! She’s fucking scared!”
“Good,” he grumbled. “She should be. I want her to know that her life will be mine if she says a fucking word about this encounter. Now, how old are you?”
“Nineteen,” Kandy sobbed, and my chest tightened. I was at a fucking loss. I didn’t have a weapon on me, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have been able to use it on him. Technically, he was my boss. He was one of the main reasons I’d gotten to where I was in life and with Tempt.