Page 66 of Resisting His Charm
“No news yet, Tío E. Still waiting for results. I want to know something,” Sammie says.
“What?”
“What business have you had in Kestral Valley?”
“Kestral Valley? Where is it?” Emmanuel asks.
“Texas.”
“Never been there.”
“Have you had shipments sent there? Had any packing houses set up in any of the cottages?”
“Why the fuck would I use a cottage in Texas to pack product? You think I’m a fucking amateur, Sammie J?”
“No, just curious. Oh, and when’s the last time you’ve had a cop killed?” I ask him.
“That’s a very specific question, Sammie J,” Emmanuel grunts. “I don’t make it a habit to kill off law-and-order personnel. It’s easier to pay them.”
“Right. If you did say… have my girlfriend’s mother killed… would you tell me?”
“Why the fuck would I have your girlfriend’s mother killed, Sammie J? I have no reason to lie to you.”
“Poppy’s mother was a cop in Kestral Valley. I read the report that claims she was shot by a member of the De La Sangre Cartel.”
“In Kestral Valley?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never sent anyone to that town, Sammie J. Whatever happened to her, it wasn’t us. But leave it with me. I’ll find out. If someone is using my name as a scapegoat, I want to know why,” Emmanuel says.
“Tell Elias to meet me in LA. I’m heading back to Texas to find out what the fuck happened,” Sammie replies.
My eyes widen. I don’t want him going back to Kestral Valley. “No,” I tell him. “Just leave it alone.”
“Poppy?” Emmanuel asks.
I stare at the phone. I do not want to speak to this person.
“I’m sorry about the loss of your mother, but I assure you my organization had nothing to do with it. And if I find out otherwise, someone will pay for going rogue,” he says.
“You really didn’t have my mother killed?” I don’t know why I’m asking. It’s not like he’s going to say:Oh, yeah. I did it.
“No, I didn’t.”
“Then who did? What happened to her? They said she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Maybe she was, but it wasn’t my organization. I’ll find out. And, Sammie J, call your mother. She’s not happy that our plan to snatch doctors isn’t going ahead,” Emmanuel says.
“I’ll call her.” Sammie presses the red button on the phone, pockets it, and looks directly at me. “Believe me yet?”
“No,” I tell him.
“It’s okay. I’ll find the proof you need.” He nods once, like it’s a done deal.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Usually, if a woman tells me to leave, I listen to her. Right now, the last thing I intend to do is leave Poppy. It goes against every rule I’ve always tried to live by. I never wanted to be the pushy, possessive asshole type of boyfriend. But here we are. I’m doing it. I might as well play right into the role.
