Without hesitating, the man spins and rushes toward the men’s room, shoving the door open. Instead of chasing after him, Esteban spins, picks me up, and tosses me on his shoulder before pounding his finger to the keypad, opening the door. I realize why immediately.
Sirens ring through the air, echoing as the police show up at the club. Right now, they’re the biggest threat. I’m not supposed to be here. I’m missing, after all.
“Fuck,” I say, hanging like a ragdoll as Esteban rushes toward where Talon parked the SUV.
“Don’t worry, mamacita. I got you. It’s going to be okay. You have to trust me.”
I swallow my nerves, not responding as Esteban opens the SUV and sets me in the front.
He pulls out his phone and yells something into it. I sink into my seat, my body draining of its adrenaline.
Stomping the throttle, Esteban drives away, not even caring about the flashing blue and red lights.
It’s all I can stare at. They blur together, blending with the nightlife.
Everything will come crashing down at any minute.
I know it.
The next time I see the red and blue lights, they will be coming for me.
16
Possession
“IsweartofuckingGod. If anything happens to Stacia under your care, I’ll impale all of you no matter who’s at fault.” Talon hands a duffle bag to a silent flight attendant, the man sweating profusely as if Talon threatens him and not Esteban and Christos. “I hope to have an ID on the PI within a few days. Once I do, it’ll be safer to come home.”
“We’ll consider this a little work vacation. It’s been a while since I’ve visited mis primos.” Esteban slides his arm around my waist, staying by my side. I can’t bring myself to look at anyone, really. I feel at fault that the PI spotted me at the Looking Glass.
Talon turns to me. Holding his hand out, he coaxes me forward. My feet automatically shuffle into his space and away from Esteban. Talon touches the small of my back, guiding me far enough away to stay out of listening range.
He shifts us so that our backs face the others as they get ready to board the small private jet. “I hate that I can’t come with you, but I’m going to trust you will take care of yourself. Please keep your disguise on at all times. I don’t know what the PI wants, but I swear I’ll find out. No one will know that you aren’t missing. Just behave. Try not to drink. Don’t do drugs. All that bullshit.”
“What about sex? Are you going to tell me to wear a chastity belt?” A bubble of laughter escapes my mouth.
“I know it won’t be with a stranger, so I’ll allow it.” He eyes the private jet, probably imagining what he’d do to me if he could follow. “Be smart about things.”
I smile wider. “Are you really telling me to make good choices, birdie?”
“Fuck yeah. I know you. Just try to behave. Don’t go flashing your tits or pussy. And you know what? I changed my mind. Don’t go fucking anyone. I can’t join from across the country.” Talon grazes his fingers over my jaw. Leaning in, he presses his lips to mine, purposely kissing me deep and with enough passion to send tingles right between my legs. He’s making a show out of it because of Esteban. Esteban hasn’t left my side since the club and our kiss. I know it’s annoying Talon, and Christos looks ready to have a coronary because of it. At least one of those is satisfying.
As for Leandro? He remains expressionless and professional. I can’t tell what’s on his mind. He’s been distant lately.
“Ew, bitch. You better not start fucking right here.” Bianca’s playful voice sounds through the air.
I break away from Talon and jerk my attention to her. What is she doing here? I was nearly certain that her parents were going to demand we don’t see each other outside of our meetings. They still treat her like a child, controlling her finances and life. They hold everything over her head to get her to comply.
“Bianca! What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask, moving away from Talon. I never had a chance to even tell her goodbye after the meeting before the police showed up.
“What do you think? You can’t fly to fucking Florida without me. Juan doesn’t know you’re going, and Christos asked him if I could tag along to meet some of the heirs at the Miami chapter.” Bianca beams, her white teeth bright against the color of her burgundy lipstick.
I shift my gaze to Christos. “You arranged this?” I can’t believe he did this. It’s a pretty big risk to be entrusted with the safety of one of the King’s Court’s daughters, let alone two.
He shrugs, scrubbing his fingers through his hair. “I thought you could use the company.”
“Don’t let him think he can get in your chonies. He invited her because he wanted another cock-block. She’s supposed to ensure we don’t hook up.” Esteban wiggles his fingers at me, trying to get me to close the space to him again. “He’s threatened because he knows that I’m better for you than he is, and he’s afraid to admit it.”
“You have a job, Knave. You better fucking keep your head on straight and your cock in your pants.” Talon points at him, glowering. “Do you understand?”