Page 55 of Resisting His Charm
“Are you sure?”
“Do you want to go?”
I should say yes. This isn’t the time for me to be here. His family is going through shit. But when I look into his eyes, I see how much he needs something—me.
“No,” I tell him.
“Thank fuck,” he says before slamming his lips down onto mine.
A throat clears, and I practically jump off Sammie’s lap. “Shit, sorry,” I murmur, trying to straighten myself out.
Mr. Russo smiles at me, but I know it’s forced. He then looks to Sammie. “Tío E just drove in. You should take Poppy home. There’s nothing you can do here right now.”
“Who called him?” Sammie asks.
“My guess? Your mother,” Mr. Russo says. “Poppy, it was nice to meet you.” With that, he turns and walks out.
“You ready to get out of here?” Sammie asks me.
“Sure, but who is Tío E and why do you not want me to meet him?”
“I don’t care if you meet him. But if my mom called him, it’s because she’s spiraling and wants to work. And, well, we don’t need to be here for that conversation. Come on.” Sammie takes my hand and drags me through the foyer.
Just before we reach the front door, it swings open. “Lai? Where are you?” A Mexican man in a really nice suit walks in like he owns the place. He’s followed by a beautiful blonde woman.
“Emmanuel, seriously, you can’t just barge in,” the woman hisses out.
“Sammie J, where’s your mother?”
“She’s around here somewhere. She call you?” Sammie asks.
“Yeah, what’s going on?” the man presses, and then his eyes land on me. “You must be Poppy.”
“I am.” I give him a polite smile.
“Emmanuel Lopez, Tio E to this one. Welcome to the family. Excuse me. I have a hitwoman to find before this city turns red.” The man walks past me.
Emmanuel Lopez.My entire body goes cold. It can’t be. There is no way Sammie is mixed up with the fucking cartel.
“Hey, you okay?” Sammie looks down at me.
“Yeah. Just tired,” I lie. Shit, I need to get out of this house. My hands are shaking. My heart is racing. I am not going to break down right now. I need to hold it together.
“Come on, let me get you home. Aunt Evie, sorry you got dragged over here.”
“It’s fine. Go home. I’ve got this,” the blonde woman says.
“And welcome to the family, Poppy. I do wish we had met under better circumstances.”
“You know…?” Sammie asks her.
“Yeah, your mother told E over the phone. I’m sorry, Sammie J.” The woman pulls Sammie in for a hug.
They are his aunt and uncle. The cartel is his family.
I let Sammie take me home and make an excuse about being tired and having a headache when we get into bed. I let him hold me as he falls asleep while pretending to do the same.
I knew this was too good to be true. Nothing good happens to me. I should never have come here with him.
