Page 43 of Humility

“When do you need me to fly out?”

“The jet is set to leave in two days, that should give you enough time to sort who you want to take and pack. I need you on the ground before anyone realizes we are missing our El Chapo and decides to take advantage.”

How could I be filled with so much excitement to take the position and panic over leaving Jasmine behind at the same time?

“Alright, I’ll be ready. How long will I be gone?”

“As long as it takes for us to find a new replacement. I have a few people in mind,” my father said. “Be ready, and don’t screw this up.” He hung up, and I tapped the phone on my bottom lip.

“What’s going on,” Jasmine asked, her voice as airy as the breeze coming in the window.

“I have to leave in two days for the United States,” I said, and she pulled back, staring at me with a guarded expression only she could pull off.

“For how long?”

I lifted my shoulder and let it drop. “I’m not sure, but I don’t think it will be too long. It’s just until some business is sorted.” I smiled at her as she bit her bottom lip, which always made me want to ravish her. “Don’t worry, it shouldn’t be more than a few weeks. I thought you said you’d never miss an ass like me,” I teased.

“Who says I’m going to miss your arrogant ass?”

I looked over my shoulder. “It’s a nice arrogant ass.”

“Oh, shut it.” Jasmine swatted my arm and rolled her eyes at me.

“Oh, you did not just roll your eyes at me?” Grabbing her around the waist, she screamed as I tossed her over my shoulder and marched for the bed.

“What the hell is going on?” Dario sat up straight, his hand on his gun sitting on the bedside table until he saw it was just us.

“Someone is being sassy and needs to be taught a lesson.”

“Don’t you dare,” Jasmine said, squealing as I smacked her ass and tossed her on the bed.

I’d never forgotten her fiery look or how we laughed and rolled around in a ridiculous fight that ended with the three of us panting and once more satisfied. My eyes lifted to the sleeping woman who was in my blood. For two and a half years, I stayed in Chicago. It had been my greatest ambition, but turned into a jail cell.

Days stretched into weeks and then weeks into months with no end in sight, and each day, as hard as she tried, I heard the longing in her voice. When my father said I might never be coming home, I did what I thought was best and called Don Falcone. I asked for Jasmine’s hand in marriage, but he wouldn’t hear of his daughter moving that far away and declined the offer. I tried every day to convince him for weeks, and when he stopped taking my calls, I did the only thing I could and cut off all contact.

I didn’t think Dario would ever forgive me. Maybe he shouldn’t. I never forgave myself, but I couldn’t string her along for years, not knowing if I would ever get to come home. I couldn’t tell her that her father had refused my offer without turning her against her only living parent. So why was it that it didn’t seem noble? Why did it feel like I’d chopped off my arm?

Jasmine stirred, her soft whimper cutting my heart like a sharp knife. Her brow was tense as she tossed her head back and forth.

Drawn to her, I stood and stared, wanting so badly to touch her. “Shh, my Tiger. I’m here now, and I will never let you go.” I brushed some hair from her face and let my finger trail along her cheek.

“Angelo,” she said, her voice thick in her dream state. My name on her lips confirmed that her here in this town was no coincidence. She was here for me, and nothing and no one would take my second chance away.

“I’m not a good man, Tiger. I have done terrible things, and my soul has hardened into stone. To keep you, I will do my worst. I will kill whoever I need to. I will lock you up and throw away the key if necessary, but I need you. I hope that one day you’ll understand that whatever I choose to do next will be because I love you.”

Picking up her cell phone, I pried off the case and put a tiny dot tracker inside before putting it back where it was. Forcing myself to step away, I slipped through the door to the adjoining room, the beginning of a plan already formulating in my mind.

* * *

“Every room,” Enzo asked.

“Where the fuck is he?” Dario yelled in the background. I knew Dario was pissed. I snuck out of the house without him, but his following my every step got old a long time ago.

“Yes, of course, every room, including the bathrooms and closets. I don’t want a single space in or outside of the house that I can’t see her.” Dario growled something else in the background. “Tell Dario if he’s a good boy, I’ll bring him home a fresh plum pie.” Enzo relayed the message, and I smirked as I heard Dario yell, “Go fuck yourself.”

Driving him crazy was always a highlight of my day. Just then, the hotel door opened, and Jasmine stepped out. Or it had been a highlight until this moment.

“Make it happen. I have to go.”