To Have & to Hurt by Morgan Bridges
Tristano
Iam used to carrying an abhorrent amount of stress on my shoulders. Not only because I’m the eldest and the head of the family, which comes with a lot of responsibility, but also because I want to see wrong things made right and justice served.
In my personal life, this became a hell of a lot more prevalent.
My mother disappeared almost twenty-five years ago, and now there’s a woman here who could very well be her twin or much younger sister.
When Octavia Cortez first appeared at the top of the plane’s staircase I thought she was my mother. Logically, I knew that wasn’t the case. The woman was too young and her hair color was a couple shades darker. But her face and the way she carried herself?
An exact replica.
Upon closer inspection I noticed the minor differences between Octavia and my mother, but that didn’t remove the chill from my skin. Their resemblance to one another is uncanny and that, in and of itself, makes me wary and highly suspicious.
My last memory of my mother was from the viewpoint of a ten year old, so I could be mistaken in my evaluation. However, I looked at photos of her all the time, until every curve of her smile and every smooth plane of her face was tattooed in my memory.
While Octavia is not my mother, I’d bet my life they are related in some way. Their similarities, plus the text I received, were enough proof to enable me to make a decision. I’m going with Octavia because I can’t dismiss the opportunity to find out more concerning my mother and her mysterious disappearance all those years ago.
I wouldn’t be able to stand not knowing or trying to obtain more information than I’ve had, which is practically nothing. My mother became a ghost. It’s most likely why I looked at Octavia as though she were a spectre of sorts. I’m still not over the shock of things, but I can internalize all of it while traveling.
After I retrieve Violetta from my car.
She nods in response to me informing her how I intend to keep her alive. I might’ve come on too strongly or harshly, but I don’t have time to coddle her. I won’t allow Violetta’s age or lack of maturity to hinder me in any way, which extends to her hesitation.
Or could it be rebellion?
In the end it doesn’t matter. She will do as I tell her or suffer the consequences of her actions.
I take a step back from the vehicle, giving Violetta the chance to obey me. She does. Only it’s with her gaze fastened to mine, her blue-green eyes sparkling with temper. They’re a beautiful fusion of oceanic hues and framed by a dark blue ring, making the colors more stark against the surrounding white, as well as the long ink-black lashes she has. In short, they’re lovely.
And a distraction.
As soon as she’s on her feet, after ignoring my offer of assistance, I turn toward my men who are standing right behind me.
“Benito, you’re coming with me. Enrico you’ll stay here and assist Arturo in managing my operations and keeping me abreast of everything during my absence. Maximus will need your council until Rafael’s well-being is secured, and you’ll do whatever they require.”
Enrico nods, but from the way he works his jaw he’s not pleased with my decision. It doesn’t matter as long as he follows my orders.
“I hope they have a Wal-Greens wherever we’re going because I’m going to need a toothbrush and some condoms,” Beni says.
Then he grins at Violetta. Though this type of behavior from him isn’t unusual, it’s irritating on occasion. Like right now.
“Keep your focus, Benito, or I’ll remove your cock so you don’t have to worry about it.”
The smirk falls from his face at my threat, as it should. There’s no time to be fucking around.
I head toward the aircraft with the assumption Violetta is following. Octavia watches me from the base of the stairs and doesn’t try to hide her curiosity concerning Nardone’s daughter.
“Who is she?”
I halt and a muscle in my jaw ticks from me clenching my teeth in irritation. “Let me be clear about a few things before we go any further, señorita. I am not here for any other reason than to obtain the information you’ve promised to give. Anything outside of that is my personal business and I won’t explain myself to you, or anyone else for that matter. If that’s going to be a fucking problem, I suggest you say so before we find ourselves tens of thousands of feet in the air while in close proximity.”
Octavia’s mouth tilts up, making her bottom lip fuller-looking. “Not a problem. Just make sure your friend behaves and knows how to keep her mouth shut. Then there won’t be an issue.”
“You needn’t worry about my affairs.” I hold out my arm and gesture toward the aircraft. “Shall we?”
She gives me a curt nod and ascends the slim staircase with her two men right behind her. Only once they disappear from view do I place my foot onto the first stair. As I make my way up I listen for the sounds of Violetta’s heels striking the metal platform and they’re easily heard.
At least I don’t have to make good on my promise to haul her into the plane.
It would’ve been easy because the top of her head barely reaches my shoulder. That makes her tall for a woman, but not compared to me. Sometimes a person’s silence can make them shrink in appearance because they’re seen as weak for not speaking up, yet Violetta holds her own while remaining quiet.
That’s something Benito could learn to do better.
He makes up the tail end and has decided to hold his tongue for once. A wise choice because I’m not in the frame of mind to deal with anyone’s bullshit.
The flight attendant onboard guides the three of us to our seats, leaving me to sit across from Octavia. She eyes me with an air of shrewdness, watching me closely. Benito and Violetta share the length of a miniature couch and the young woman runs her gaze over him. Twice.
Is Violetta doing that because she’s alert…or is it out of attraction?
The notion she could be interested in Benito sexually heightens my level of aggravation. The last thing I need is for this already volatile situation to become even more so due to my security fucking the woman under my care. Not only would that cause problems for me with Carina, and by extension Rafael, but it’d steer Benito’s mind away from his job where it fucking belongs.
Perhaps bringing Violetta along was a stupid decision on my part. However, it’s too late to rectify that.
With a wave, I decline the flight attendant when she offers refreshments. I have no desire to be anything except level-headed during this entire venture even if I would enjoy a stiff drink, considering what a cluster-fuck my night has turned into.
Benito asks for bottled water and then orders one for Violetta, although she didn’t request it. I inwardly frown at my lack of consideration toward her and then immediately dismiss it. She may be young, but that doesn’t mean she’s incompetent. If Violetta wants something, then she needs to speak up.
As soon the stewardess is out of earshot, I steeple my fingers and peer over them at Octavia. “Where are we going exactly?”
“To my birthplace, Guatemala.”
“Why?”
“Because someone there wishes to speak with you.”
I quirk a brow. “Who?”
She shakes her head and a wry grin twists her lips. “I was warned you’d be like this.”
Interesting tidbit of information…
I suspected Octavia wasn’t the person in charge, although she’s definitely leading this operation right now. Someone had to instruct her on how to handle me. It was very obvious when she whispered in my ear that “clarity of the past is worth your sanity in the present.” At that moment I knew Octavia was only a messenger, not a mastermind. She’s still a worthy opponent and worth keeping an eye on, but her personal objective stops after I arrive in Guatemala.
“I’d be like what exactly?” I ask.
“Direct. Formidable.” She stops for a moment as though to gather her next sentence or amend it in some way. “You’re the type of man who doesn’t like to be kept in the dark and wants to know everything all at once.”
Octavia’s not telling me something I don’t already know. When creating a strategy or plan of action it’s best for me to have as much information as possible. That way I’ll be able to avoid any pitfalls, and if necessary, counteract them.
I give her a curt nod. “If you know someone who is perfectly content with not knowing, that’s all well and good for them, but I prefer not to leave things to chance. Life is a gamble in and of itself, so why create more uncertainty?”
She taps the armrest of her seat. “This is true.”
“Are you going to answer my question? The one where you tell me who told you to send me that text message?”
“Señor Silvestri, do you ever stop to rest at night or is your mind always spinning?”
I don’t deign to answer.
“Gah!” Octavia purses her lips. “Some Americans never take the time to slow down and just enjoy life. They’re always so eager for the next thing or the next goal. I don’t envy this.” She must read the impatience on my face because she huffs and then says, “I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”
My impatience morphs into frustration laced with anger. However, the plane’s wheels begin to rotate across the tarmac and soon after we’re airborne. I glance at Violetta to check on her and find the young woman staring out the window in pure fascination.
Has she never flown before?
Based on her behavior, I’m going to assume not. Benito points to something and murmurs to her, but the plane’s engines are too loud during the ascent for me to overhear. Violetta brings her quizzical gaze to his and, although she doesn’t smile, her ocean-colored eyes are now more vibrant than the tropical waters surrounding the Caribbean.
What did he say to her?
“You took that news rather well,” Octavia says.
The sound of her voice diverts my attention from Violetta and I zip my gaze back to the woman in front of me. “How so?”
“I figured you wouldn’t find it as an acceptable response.”
“I don’t,” I say, my tone flat.
She laughs softly. “I thought as much.”
“Here’s a thought…Why don’t you tell me what you do know, instead of fucking with me?”
Whether it’s due to my tone of voice or the words I use, I detect movement from my peripheral vision. My hand is on my firearm and pulling it out of the holster before her security gets to his feet. He stills once my weapon is pointed at Octavia. Benito has shifted, his body shielding the majority of Violetta’s tiny frame, his barrel aimed at the other guard who is also halfway out of his seat. The stewardess has yet to emerge from her hiding place in the kitchenette, not that I blame her.
“I’m not going to kill her,” I say with a pointed look at the gunman closest to me. “However, if you take a step in the direction of me or my companions, I’ll assume it’s with the intent to cause someone harm. In which case, I’ll shoot Octavia and this flight will be a lot shorter than we all originally planned.”
Octavia rattles something off in Spanish and her guy reluctantly returns to his seated position. Then she brings her gaze to me and tilts her head. “Look, all I can tell you is my supervisor sent me to America with instructions for me to retrieve you and escort you back to Guatemala. That’s all I know and I’ll swear it on the Virgin Mary herself.” She makes the sign of the cross and ends the ritual by kissing her fingertips.
I lower my firearm and then jerk my chin at Benito in a silent order for him to do the same. He’s slow to move away from Violetta, but when he does I quickly scan her face. She appears no worse for wear, which is better than not because I need Benito vigilant, not busy consoling the young woman.
“I understand the need for discretion,” I say to Octavia, “as well as secrecy. What I don’t understand is how you, or someone else, knew to send me that specific phrasing in the text message. Would you care to explain?”
Octavia shrugs and I clench my jaw to keep from strangling her. “I just sent what I was instructed to. What do you Americans always say? ‘Don’t shoot the messenger.’” She holds up her hands in an act of supplication. “I’m not trying to fuck with you, only carry out my orders.”
“I can respect that.”
“I hope so because my gut tells me you’re going to find that you have more questions than answers, and when that happens I don’t want to be anywhere near you, señor.”
“Octavia, I’ll take that as a compliment.”