Chapter 19
Ajori
When I got back to the meeting spot in town, Marcos was already there, leaning against his SUV like he had nowhere better to be. I stepped out, every muscle in my body still humming from the adrenaline of the past twenty-four hours.
As I approached him, he handed me the familiar gold-wrapped package containing my payment. The weight felt reassuring in my palm. “Count it,” he said simply, his tone bordering on businesslike.
“I will later,” I replied, dismissing his suggestion with a wave of my hand. “I trust you.”
It was true; our history dictated a certain level of faith.
He nodded once, then I took a breath and faced him fully.
“Look, Marcos… about yesterday…”
His eyebrows lifted in anticipation, signaling that he was ready to listen.
“I meant what I said, but I didn’t mean for it to come out as harsh as it did,” I continued, my voice steadying with each word. “I really do appreciate you for giving me the opportunity, the extra cash, and for looking out the way you did… but I’m done.It’s just too risky now. My brother needs me in one piece, not sitting in a cell somewhere.”
My throat tightened with emotion, but I pressed on, steeling myself for the implications of my choice.
“I’m bowing out while my record’s clean. All of this—what I’ve done—wasalwaysfor Kyrin… and now I finally have enough money for his surgery.”
Marcos exhaled slowly, the tension dissipating slightly from his posture. “Fair enough. And I get it. You did what you had to do. Believe it or not, your leave was accepted.”
My head whipped up in disbelief. “It was?”
A smirk broke across his face. "Yeah. No threats… no strings attached.”
“Wow.” I couldn’t help but feel a surge of relief mixed with surprise. “Honestly, I thought y’all were gonna give me hell. Like…jump-me-in, jump-me-outtype hell.”
He laughed softly, shaking his head. “Nah. You did your job... and you did it damn well. But… before you vanish back into your safe little world, the big boss wants to meet you. He wants to thank you personally.”
The words didn’t even sound real.
“Really?” I asked, a mixture of excitement and dread churning within me.
“Yes.”
“So will I be meeting him here?”
“No. You’ll go to him… in Mexico.”
“Mexico?” I retorted.
“Yeah. That’s where he’s stationed.”
Well, duh, Ajori.He’s the fuckin’ cartel boss. Where else would he be located?
“Dom will be there too,” he included.
Panic flared within me, and I shook my head immediately. “I can’t be away from Kyrin for long. He needs me here.”
“I’ll talk to him about the arrangement. But you seeing him? That’s non-negotiable. And trust me… you don’t want to make him feel unappreciated.”
Marcos slid his hands in his pockets, the gesture too casual for the weight of his words.
“He doesn’t ask to meet many people,” he continued. “But when he does, it’s either because they did something exceptional…” He paused, letting the second half speak for itself. “…or something so stupid they don’t survive the conversation.”