War And Peace: This Is Me, Baby Part 16

An entire week has pa.s.sed since Oscar came to see me and it's eating me alive. Vee's missing. She's not at a spa like I'd hoped. She's gone. Oscar still won't take my calls, but I did receive some texts from him over the week to which he never replied when I answered back.

Ozzy: Her car is at her parents' house, but I broke in. She's not there.

Ozzy: The apartment was empty too.

Ozzy: Nothing seems out of sorts except that she's just gone. My father claims innocence but I'm not sure.

Ozzy: My father wants me to meet with Diego. I'm supposed to take our territory back. How the f.u.c.k am I supposed to do that?

Ozzy: If Diego has her, I'll gut him.

Ozzy: My father got a call from Esteban but won't tell me what he said. I think it may involve you.

None of his texts made much sense, but they have my anxiety on high. Ren seems to notice my rigid shoulders because he walks up behind the chair at my kitchen table and rubs on my neck.

"Did Oscar mention anymore about Esteban?" Daddy questions from across the table. Toto has fallen asleep in his arms and he absently strokes at her blonde curls. She clutches onto her favored Veggie Tales stuffed animal, Larry the Cuc.u.mber. My sister is so sweet and innocent. If she didn't represent the psycho who killed my mother, I'd be warmed by the sight of her looking so serene in our daddy's arms. But the chill always remains.

"No," I say with a sigh. "His texts are sporadic at best. That's why we need to find Vee. Ozzy is too distracted by what his father is making him do. I'm afraid she might be hurt somewhere."

War taps away at his computer but speaks. "I've looked up all of her credit cards. All activity ceases the day after..." His blue eyes dart to mine, and I see pity in them. "Anyway, all activity stops. Same with her mother. Neither of them has purchased a thing since then. I've hacked into their bank accounts. All the money they had is still there. Everything is just sitting."

"What about Esteban?" Daddy demands. "Can you find where the h.e.l.l he's been holed up? He and I need to have some words." Rage ripples from him. The crazed look on his face reminds me of a demon. And the fact that he's holding a blonde little cherub in his arms only makes the whole thing seem a little more comical.

"Maybe I could ask Diego and-"

"f.u.c.k no!" Both Daddy and Ren growl at the same time.

War gives me a supportive smile and a wink-one that says he'll research Diego and follow any leads. I give him a slight nod before grabbing Ren's hand. When I look up at him, he's gazing at me with such love and fierce protection, I almost waver under it.

"Can you get me something to drink?" I ask. "I'm not feeling so well."

He gives me a nod and then presses a kiss to my head. Once he leaves, I find Daddy and War watching me. I'm still not used to me and Ren's relations.h.i.+p being public, but it is. n.o.body, except for Oscar, has criticized us for it either. As much as Ozzy's words had broken my heart, I refuse to feel guilty for letting Ren into my heart. Truth is, he never left. Ren is my best friend and my protector. My lover and a million other things all rolled up into one person. When I vowed a week ago that I belonged to him, I meant it. He may only get a broken sliver of who I used to be, but that's all I have to give.

Daddy and War get into a heated discussion about the "Colombian c.u.n.ts" as my dad calls them. My phone buzzes in my lap and I quickly lift it up to see if it's Ozzy with any news.

Unknown Number: We need to talk, carino. Privately. I have something you want, remember? And I need something from you.

Ice slides through my veins, freezing me in my seat. With shaky hands, I quickly type out a response.

Me: Talk with you ends up with you trying to either f.u.c.k me or f.u.c.k me over.

He buzzes back immediately.

Unknown Number: Camilo is on my a.s.s. Tell me where you live and I'll come see you.

Me: Absolutely f.u.c.king not. We meet in public or we don't meet at all.

Unknown Number: I'm here in San Diego. There's a restaurant at one of the piers. Come alone and I'll give you your precious jewelry back. I'm not going to hurt you. Daddy Diego swears on his big d.i.c.k.

I suppress a s.h.i.+ver at the thought of him here in my city.

"Does Oscar have any news?" Daddy questions, jerking me away from my inner shuddering over the thought of Diego's d.i.c.k. His eyes dart to my phone. I hold it to my chest.

"Uh," I murmur. "Nope."

His eyes narrow and he gives War a pointed look that I'm not meant to interpret. It annoys me. When they go back to discussing how Daddy plans on murdering the whole lot of them, I look back down at my phone and tap away my response.

Me: Fine. Get me the address. I'll shoot you if you try anything funny.

Unknown Number: I have no doubts, carino. We both know you've got bigger b.a.l.l.s than most men. Meet me in an hour. Wear something s.e.xy. I want to see your nipples through your clothes.

I quickly delete the horndog's texts and then bite on my bottom lip. I'm about to have to lie to these guys.

"Everything okay?" Ren questions from behind me causing me to jump. I nod quickly-too quickly-and take the gla.s.s of Sprite from him. In several gulps, I down half the gla.s.s.

"I'm fine but I was going to go over to your house for a bit and see Luciana," I lie. "May I borrow your truck?"

He frowns. "Let me get the keys and I'll drive you."

I'm already shaking my head and attempting to give him a bright smile. "Stay here with them and sort out our next plan of action."

Ren stares at me for a long moment before he nods. "Fine." I thank G.o.d that Ren's not the smothering type. "I'll walk you out and make sure you get there okay."

My outfit is far from s.e.xy. Too d.a.m.n bad, Diego. I'm wearing something similar to the last time he saw me. Black yoga pants and this time a hoodie because it's chilly outside. Ren walks me out to his truck and gives me a chaste kiss. I drive slowly over to his house down the street and make a great show of climbing out and waving. He remains from his watch until I disappear onto the porch. I wait a few minutes before peeking around the house. He's gone back inside. With shaky legs, I hurry back to the truck and haul a.s.s out of the neighborhood. It isn't until I'm several miles away with n.o.body following me that I relax.

I spend the entire half-hour drive to the restaurant worrying. I didn't bring a weapon. I don't have my wallet. I didn't tell anyone where I was going. All I have is my phone shoved into the pocket of my hoodie. When I pull up to the restaurant, I'm happy to see it's bustling with people. Busy is good. Busy means he can't do anything stupid like accost me.

I wait several minutes before climbing out of the truck. My feet carry me inside to the hostess stand. I'm queasy, and the scent of seafood mixed with my nerves makes my stomach roil. I am just about to ask the server for a table when an arm slips around my waist. Before I can let out a scream, warm breath tickles my ear.

"Looking s.e.xy as ever, carino," Diego murmurs and bites my lobe. "Table for two." The hostess's eyes linger on us for a moment before she waves for us to follow her. I attempt to jerk out of his grip, but he holds me like we're lovers. The moment we reach the booth, he guides me into the seat and slides in beside me. I glare at him and he simply chuckles.

"My wife will have water," he tells the woman. "She's expecting. I'll have a gla.s.s of your house wine."

When she leaves, I punch him in his side. "You're such a f.u.c.king d.i.c.k."

"You're the only person I have ever known who is brave enough to not only hit me but also to call me such names." He leans in and kisses my cheek. "I've killed men for much less. But you, my dear sweet kitten, I'm amused by you. If we're being honest, it gets me really f.u.c.king hard." His hand grips mine. "Would you like to feel just how hard?"

"I'm going to be sick," I groan, shaking my head.

He laughs and releases me. "Don't be so dramatic, Mrs. Rojas. Where I'm from, most women are actually quite attracted to me."

"I'm not most women."

He reaches across the table and snags a package of crackers from the basket. After he opens them up, he hands me a cracker.

"So I can see," he says with a chuckle.

With a huff, I accept the cracker and begrudgingly munch on it. He leans on his elbow on the table so he can watch me eat. His lips curve into a pleased smile. Once I've downed the cracker, I meet his stare.

"Why are we here?" I demand.

He hands me another cracker, which I take. "Camilo. The old f.u.c.k is really losing his poor mind. Seems that you, carino, really stirred some s.h.i.+t up."

I suppress a shudder at the very thought of Camilo being angry with me. The man is scary. All the tales of him torturing the people who wronged him replay in my head.

"You need protection, no?"

I snap out of my daze and frown at him. "From you?" I scoff. "I don't think so. I have protection."

He narrows his eyes at me and strokes his goatee with his finger and thumb in a contemplative manner. "Who exactly is your protection detail? Rafe Gonzalez? Your daddy? Because if you recall, they didn't protect you so well the last time we met."

"It doesn't matter," I spit out. "I'm protected."

The a.s.shole leans in and sniffs me like I'm some piece of meat he wants to cook up and eat later. "My men took down your men easily once before. I'm sure it won't be hard for Camilo to do the same. But Camilo Rojas doesn't incapacitate, he kills."

He unwraps another cracker and hands it to me. We're momentarily interrupted when the server comes to our table. Diego blurts out an order and sends her back on her way. Then, his predatory gaze is back on me.

"What do you want from me?" I ask. "Beside something s.e.xual."

He laughs and stretches his arm across the booth behind me and leans closer. "I want all the information you have in that pretty little head of yours on the Rojas operations. I know you were friends with the little red headed girl. I know you saw how things worked with her father and the s.h.i.+pyard. Then, you were a witness to everything Duvan did. I want the details because I'm going to be running the show very soon."

"You're just going to take it all away from Oscar?" I question with a glare.

He lifts a black eyebrow and smirks. "The boy?"

I almost laugh at him. "When exactly was the last time you saw Oscar? He's far from a boy."

Shrugging, he runs his finger along the outside of my arm. "No matter. I want their territory. You're going to help give it to me. And in exchange, I keep you safe from retaliation."

The very idea of betraying Oscar sickens me. I don't trust Diego one single bit.

"No."

He slaps the table hard enough to make our gla.s.ses slosh and me yelp out in surprise. "No is not the answer I was looking for. So far, I have been generous with you, carino. But you're pus.h.i.+ng me right now. You're p.i.s.sing me off and I'm three seconds from dragging you out of here by your hair and taking you back home with me so I can teach your smart mouth what I do to little girls who misbehave." I let out a whimper when he clutches my thigh to the point of pain.

The woman arrives with the food and Diego flirts with her while I consider his words. Carefully, I unwrap my cloth napkin and set it in my lap. When he's distracted, I slip the knife inside the sleeve of my hoodie. She leaves and he picks up a crab leg. I remain silent as he cracks it open with a crab cracker. Then, he dips a big chunk of meat in some b.u.t.ter sauce before holding it to my lips.

I shake my head and his face darkens.

"Don't make me pry your mouth open in front of all these people because I will. Do as you're told," he hisses.

Suppressing a grumble, I open my mouth and accept the food. He smirks and then pulls off a piece of meat for himself. The entire meal goes on this way. Even though the food is surprisingly good, I'm disgusted by this man. Once he finishes, he wraps his arm around me and hugs me to him. I remain frozen as he pets me as though I'm a small animal. What is it with this guy and petting? He should get a dog.

"I want the information," he says softly, his touch gentle.

"I'll only help you under one condition."

He tenses but releases me. "Go on."

"If I tell you, you can't hurt Oscar."

"Done."

"And I want that protection extended to my friends and family."

He reaches into his pocket and retrieves something. "Of course, carino. Text me a list. It'll be done."

"Once I tell you what I know, Camilo and Esteban and their people will come after me. I'm pregnant and somewhat happy. I don't want this disrupting my life." Our eyes meet and he nods.

"Anything else?"

"Please don't tell them where you got this information. I know you're an a.s.shole of epic proportions but I'd like to think of you as a business acquaintance. I'll tell you what I know but I'm counting on you to uphold your end of all parts of our deal."

He strokes my cheek with his thumb. "So beautiful. I do a lot of business with men in South America but you've been my most worthy opponent. It would seem I have a soft spot for you." He smirks and slides his thumb over my bottom lip. "I often think of your big round a.s.s when I'm b.a.l.l.s deep in one of my wives. Perhaps one day the fantasy will come true."

I start to tell him off but then he dangles something s.h.i.+ny in front of me. My necklace and Duvan's ring.

"You fixed it," I choke out.

He smirks. "Well, I did break it."

At seeing my jewelry, I can't help but burst into tears. He fastens it around my neck and hugs me to him. I don't want to be in his embrace but I feel like I've just made a necessary deal with this devil.

His hand that strokes me in a comforting move slides under my hoodie and up my front. I let out a yelp when his finger strokes my bare belly.

"It would be so easy just to take you home with me," he murmurs against my hair.

The knife hidden in my sleeve slides into my hand and I press the sharp tip against his hard c.o.c.k that strains against his slacks. He lets out a hiss of shock.

"It would be so easy just to take this," I poke hard enough to make him grunt, "home with me."

His hand retreats from under my s.h.i.+rt and he chuckles. I reluctantly pull the knife away from his junk and glare at him.

"Carino," he says with a wolfish grin. "Did I ever tell you I like you?"

I roll my eyes and point at his phone. "Too many times. Now take some notes. I have a lot to say."

Calder: Luci and I are going to see that new Ryan Reynolds movie. You guys want to come?

Me: Sounds cool. Just ask Brie if she's feeling up to it.

Calder: Ummm. She's probably on YOUR lap. You ask her.

Me: Ha. Seriously, just ask her.

Calder: Duuuude. Do you want me to text her? Wtf.

Me: Stop being a dumba.s.s. She's over there so just ask her.