CHAPTER 24
Addler
It’s my damn luck Elena’s mother answers the door. “Hello, Mrs. Santos.”
The smile on her face disappears. “What do you want, Addler?” Her distaste is evident in the way she says my name. Fine. I’m not here to talk to her. I need Elena. Holding the screen door open, I step in, and she steps back, her expression concerned.
I recognize I need to tread carefully. Regardless of anything that happens, she’ll always be Elena’s mother. And she’ll ultimately be important in her daughter’s life. Hell, if things were different, I’d be pissed at the son of a bitch who dared come here to intimidate Elena’s mother. It just so happens that today, I’m the son of a bitch in question.
“I’d like to talk to Elena.” A red-haired dog watches cautiously from the doorway. Its eyes are barely visible amid the curls covering it from head to paw. I guess Elena was serious when she mentioned what happened to the receipts. The dog barks, but it’s smart enough to keep a safe distance.
“I’m sure she has nothing to say to you,” she says, her mouth pinched. Standing her ground despite her meager frame.
I doubt Elena would have shared anything that happened over the weekend with her mother. “I’d like to hear that from her.” Not that it’ll stop me from what I intend.
“You have no business here,” she asserts, loud enough to be heard over the barking coming from behind her.
“All due respect, ma’am, I’m not leaving until I talk to Elena.”
“I’m calling the police,” she announces, holding the phone up threateningly.
“Do what you have to.” This isn’t going to end well, but I’m not leaving here until I have my say. If that means I end up locked up after, so be it.
“Wait, Mom.” Elena’s voice comes from somewhere down the hall. The dog looks over its shoulder, still barking with excitement at what’s going on. “Don’t do that.” She steps into the room, her face a mask of concern.
“Elena.” My first instinct is to drag her out of here to some place we can talk. Okay, to somewhere I can talk and she can listen. I recognize I’m being an asshole, but as I’ve just been reminded, if you’re good at something, you stick with it.
Her mother’s agitated, not knowing or caring about what’s going on. “I can’t believe—”
“It’s okay, Mom.” Elena takes a deep breath. “I’m working with Addler.”
Working with me. Not what I wanted to hear, but it gives me a starting point. Even if taking her means I head straight for the jet and another country.
“I spent the weekend with him,” she says in a soft voice. “Not working,” she tacks on. I’m relieved at the admission but concerned about where this will lead the mother and daughter.
The room goes quiet, even the dog understanding there’s tension in the air. There might be a chance we can talk this out.
“Elena, what were you thinking?” The way she’s holding her hand to her chest, you’d believe the world crashed down around her.
Elena licks her lips, as if she’s trying to figure out what to say. I get it now. This is why she’s so uptight.
“I was thinking I’m an adult,” she says calmly. “I’m old enough to make my own decisions and deal with the consequences.”
Consequences. Part of me is relieved she mentioned the word because the consequences may be cradled in her arms nine months from now. It offers me hope that she’s willing to give the future a chance because I plan to be standing next to her at the time.
“But he’s a de Marco,” her mother continues, as if I’m not standing a few feet away. Is it my family? The money? The history? The rumors. I’m sure she’ll make it clear if I wait long enough. “You know his intentions aren’t good.”
That’s where I have to stop her. “You’re right, Mrs. Santos,” I interrupt. “I used an underhanded tactic to keep her at my place.”
My admission earns me a scathing glare. “What a surprise.”
I should feel bad about what I did, but I don’t. If I’d followed my gut, I’d still have her at home, tucked into bed—my bed. She belongs to me; it just took me a while to realize it. I could have easily lost her, and I’m not about to take that chance now. “Say what you will, ma’am, but she’s my woman, and I’m not leaving without her.”
Elena turns to me, her gaze covering my face. “Addler…”
The door opens, cutting her off. Going on instinct, I step forward, angling my body to block both women from whoever’s coming in. It turns out to be Bill, his breathing ragged, as if he hauled ass across the road to get here.
“Bill, what are you doing here?” Elena asks, surprised by his sudden appearance.