I didn’t know the laws about keeping a child that wasn’t biologically related, but if I had my way, Mo would stay with Noel. Maybe they didn’t share DNA, but Noel was that child’s father.
But the pressing issue was Noel’s response to Lupe outing me. His head tilted in my direction, but his expression was unreadable.
Inwardly, I kicked myself for not telling him the truth last night while I had the chance. Hell, there was so much wish I told him last night while I'd had the chance. I'd only had a few moments around Lupe, but I could tell that she was a woman who had no qualms about destroying people's lives.
A woman like that could end Noel’s life, maybe even mine. I hated the idea that either of us would die, but especially without him hearing from me that I loved him.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
Noel
My ears were still ringing from the beating I took earlier. Maybe that was why I was having a hard time following Lupe’s conversation.
Was she saying that Harper was pregnant?
I managed to swing my gaze over to Harper but it took me a moment to refocus.
She glared at Lupe. “To answer your question, yes, this baby is wanted.”
Baby? Harper was having a baby? My baby?
When that news finally filtered in, a new surge of energy pumped through my body. I had to get out of here. But I couldn’t focus only on my survival. I had to ensure Harper’s and our unborn child’s survival as well.
How the hell did she get pregnant? I used a condom. Had I not known Mo wasn’t mine, I’d be rethinking the effectiveness of condoms.
Wait...now wasn’t the time to be thinking about condoms. Right now, I needed to save my ass and protect Harper.
I turned my attention to Lupe. “What was the point of sending Mo to me? If he’s not mine and he’s not yours, what did you hope to gain?”
She shrugged. “That was Bastion’s idea. I think he figured if you somehow escaped, if you were listed as a human trafficker, both Mexican and U.S. officials would track you down. You’d never really be free.”
“So, you stole a child?” How did I ever find this woman interesting?
“He’s an orphan. No one is looking for him.”
My heart squeezed hard in my chest for Mo. My son.
She shook her head. “You did a terrible thing to Bastion leaving him to rot in prison. Now he’s getting his revenge.” She smiled wistfully. “My man always gets what he wants. You’ll lose your millions of dollars, all respect from society, and your freedom. The only glitch in the plan was that you didn’t bring the baby with you.”
“Why would I bring him with me? You’d made it clear he was in danger.”
She blew out a breath. “You were supposed to protect him at all times. In fact, you were supposed to come down here to save me.”
“You told me not to.”
Her jaw tightened. “If you really cared, you’d have come. Turns out the only person you really care about is this gringa.”
I glanced at Harper. To be honest, I was a little shocked she was keeping her mouth shut. She wasn’t one not to give her two cents. But I was glad she was silent. I needed Lupe and Bastion to ignore her. I definitely didn’t want them thinking she was important to me.
“Her brother hired me to track her down.”
Harper flinched. She studied me and I tried to keep my face impassive although considering how much it hurt, I imagined I looked like mincemeat.
“Right.” Lupe pursed her lips at me. “We knew if she came down here, you’d follow. Why do you think Bastion told her about you? Told her to come talk to me. We needed her down here knowing you’d come. We thought you’d bring the baby, which would make arresting you with a trafficked child easier, but we have enough photos and proof that you’ve been harboring him.”
I remembered thinking what a crazy elaborate scheme Bran had come up with to get me to model for his wife. Lupe and Bastion’s scheme was crazier. But it worked. I was right where they wanted me.
“I get why Bastion would want revenge, but why you? What did I ever do to you?”