*Adrik*
I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I still had my arms around Sephie, with my chin resting on her shoulder while I texted him, instead of calling. She craned her neck to look at me, questioning why I didn’t call him. “He needs to be alone, where no one can overhear him. He’ll call me from a burner phone. He knows what to do when I text him that,” I said. She reached up, placing her palm against my cheek, her other arm on top of mine.
Ever since she’d told me that she was terrified of being apart from me, we’d somehow gotten even closer. I’d been addicted to her for months now, but it was to a new level now. And I could tell that she couldn’t get enough of me now, too. When she said that she tended to get seriously injured when she was apart from me, it hit me like a ton of bricks. She was completely right. Both times, at the ball and when she was taken, I had sent her away in an effort to keep her safe. Both times ended horribly for her and almost cost her life. I was trying to keep her safe, thinking she would be safe when she was away from me. I felt like I had brought danger into her life and wanted to protect her from it. But it was clear to me now that I was the only thing that could protect her. She would continue to get hurt if I kept sending her away, regardless of my intention. She belonged at my side. No matter what.
I had to admit that I felt better about keeping her with me now that I knew she loved my demon as much as she did me. Part of the reason I sent her away both times was out of worry that she’d see that side of me and not be able to handle it. She inevitably saw it both times, just not for the reason I expected. Her love for me never wavered. Even from the beginning when I basically kidnapped her to try and keep her safe from Anthony. I wanted her close to me even then and I barely knew her. The stronger my love for her grew, the more worried I became that I would do something to cause her to leave. It was my fear of losing her that caused me to almost lose her. Twice. It was painfully obvious to me now that I always needed her by my side. She made it clear every single day that she was perfect for that spot.
It only took Trino a few minutes before he called me back. I put it on speaker, as the guys moved closer so they could hear easier. I still had my arms around Sephie as I answered his call. “Trino, you’re not going to like this.”
He sighed heavily. “Just once, Jefe. Just once I want you to make me call you like this and you give me good news. Then my life will be complete. What do you have for me? How bad is it?”
“It’s worse than we thought, Trino,” I said.
“Trino, can you get out of Colombia on your own? Or do we need to come get you? You can’t trust anyone. That’s how bad it is,” Sephie said.
“Miha, are you serious?”
“It’s bad, Trino. Martin is actively plotting against you with Sal. We don’t know the exact details of his plan with Sal, yet. He’s also made a move against me up here, as he has guys operating in the city without my permission. We do know they’re not your guys, so that’s your one consolation. He’s been promised Giana as payment for helping Sal overthrow you. Then there’s the matter of your security guys. I wouldn’t trust any of them if I were you. I don’t know if you have other guards you can trust, but I think it’s best if you leave immediately until we can get security figured out for you. Is there somewhere safe you can get to until we can get to you? Can you get out of Colombia on your own?” I asked.
We had to wait on Trino to stop cursing before he could respond. He started to speak, then ended up cursing again. He finally regained composure and said tensely, “I have a place in the country, close to Panama. No one knows about it, so they won’t know how to find me there.”
“You’re sure no one knows about it?” I asked.
“I bought it for my parents. Everyone thinks they’re dead, but they’ve been quietly living out their days up there. No one knows about it. You’re the first person I’ve told. I’ll send you the information. I can get there and I’ll be safe. I can make it to Panama, but any farther will be difficult without them finding me,” Trino said. I could hear the worry in his voice as the gravity of the situation settled in.
“I have old friends in Panama. Get to your parents’ place and they’ll come for you. You’ll be safe with them. You have my word, Trino.”
He was silent for a moment, like he didn’t know what to say. “You’re sure about this, Jefe?” he asked. He was having trouble believing that everyone had turned against him as well.
“I’m sure about this. We have messages between Giana and Martin. He’s planning on getting her away from the building so he can grab her. He’s already had his guys take everything from Armando’s house. Literally everything. He’s promised Giana that he’ll take her somewhere in South America to keep her safe. We thought he was just pussy whipped at first, but then we found out he’s talking to Sal and that Giana is payment for his help in moving against you. We still don’t know the plans of Sal and Ricardo, but they clearly involve you as well. Given that the Mexicans have already made one attempt on your life, I think you’re safer out of Colombia. We can get you a security team that will remain loyal to you no matter what. They might have to learn Spanish, but that can be arranged.” I paused, inhaling deeply. “Trino, you’re the only one that’s remained loyal to me through all of this. I know that’s why they’re moving against you now and I apologize for that, but I promise I will end this and make everything right once again.”
“Jefe, no apologies needed. You’re apparently the only one that’s remained loyal to me, so it turns out we’re in the same boat,” he said. We heard him cursing again, like he was losing control of his temper as he thought about the ramifications of everything I’d just told him.
“Trino, I know you know, but I need to say this again. You cannot trust anyone you have around you right now. Martin is gleefully betraying you for some crazy ass pussy and your guys are looking for an excuse to turn against you. I know you’re pissed right now and I’m pissed for you, but I need you to control your temper long enough that you get to safety. Once you hang up with us, I need you to get in the nearest vehicle and get the fuck out of there. Not a word to anybody. Understand?” Sephie said. Her tone was halfway between threatening and pleading. We heard him exhale once more, but he was still silent. “Trino, I’ll kick your motherfucking ass from here to next week if you don’t do what I just said,” Sephie said. This time, her tone was dripping with anger. I tensed, instinctively. We all knew that tone.
Trino did too, apparently. He chuckled. “Okay, okay, Miha. I promise. Dios mio, I don’t think I’ve met anyone that has a bigger temper than I do.”
“You’re goddamn right. Now stop wasting fucking time,” she said, still angry.
Trino cursed in Spanish, but agreed with her. He ended the call and promptly sent the location of his parents’ place. I told him to let me know when he made it there or if he got into trouble on the way.
I looked to Misha. “Is he going to make it out in time?” Sephie walked to Misha, grabbing his hand as Misha searched for Trino. Andrei walked to Sephie’s side, taking her other hand in his. We saw Misha’s eyes go wide, which meant he was watching Trino. He squeezed Sephie’s hand. They watched for a few moments, then the movie ended and they were back to the present moment.
“And?” Ivan asked, anxiously.
“Unless he changes his mind at the last minute, he’s going to make it out,” Sephie said, wiping her eyes. Even Andrei and Misha looked troubled with what they’d just seen.
“He’s going to make it just in time to say goodbye to his mother,” Andrei said, having to turn away from us to get a handle on his own emotions.
“Apparently, she’s been sick and she wouldn’t let his father contact Trino because she didn’t want to worry him. She took a turn this morning. His father thought she would pull through like she’d done before, but she’s not going to make it. Trino will get there in time to spend the last couple of hours with her,” Misha said as tears fell down his face.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Sephie said quietly, still wiping tears from her cheeks. We all stood in shocked silence for a few minutes.
“What do we do with Giana?” Viktor asked. “Do we know when she’s going to fake an illness? What do I tell my guys to do? Leave her here or take her to the hospital?”
Surprisingly, it was Andrei that answered. “I think I can find out if she knows she’s being used if I talk to her. If she’s aware she’s being passed around by Sal and she’s willingly going along with the plan, that’s one thing. But if she thinks that Martin is saving her when he’s really claiming his prize, that’s an entirely different situation. It doesn’t make sense that she would throw herself at him when we were on the island. Either she knew he was the next target or she was hoping he could save her and she didn’t have a better option.”
Sephie studied him for a moment. “You want to try talking to her by yourself, Bubba? You’re sure about that?” she asked.