Page 103 of Cartel Devil

“Then promise before you hear what I want.”

“As though that doesn’t convince me I shouldn’t promise anything.”

I smile, trying to make a joke out of something that’s clearly very serious to her. Not because I don’t take her seriously but because I’m worried she’ll get even more upset.

“Joaco.”

“Fine. I promise, chiquita.”

“I’m not the one bleeding this time. You get seen before I do.”

“No.”

“Joaco—”

“No.”

“There are no signs that anything’s wrong with me. I didn’t even scrape an elbow or knee. You⁠—”

“No.”

I’m not snapping at her. I just won’t budge. She crosses her arms and turns to look out the window. I cup her chin and press lightly to get her to face me. She resists, so I unfasten my seat belt. She gasps as I lean across her and kiss her. It’s a full-frontal attack. I don’t care that there are guards in the backseat and the front seats. I don’t stop until I feel her tears on my cheeks, then my lips as I pull away.

“Chica.”

“Please, just let them treat you. I’m not refusing to be seen. I just refuse to go first. If I thought there was even a moment’s chance the baby’s at risk, I wouldn’t suggest it. I didn’t fall this time. You were incredibly careful when you put me on the ground.”

I look into her pleading eyes, and I know I can’t refuse her. It’s a reasonable request. Not only that, I don’t know how I’m going to refuse her most things when she’s begging for something for my sake. It seems callous to reject her concern for me, especially when I force mine on her.

“Okay, chiquita. You can tell the doctors they must cure me or else.”

“Or else is right.”

She catches me by surprise when she dives in for a kiss I didn’t think she’d ever want people to see. I feel like I need to adjust my dick, but I can’t stand it when I see guys do that in public. We keep it short but calling it passionate doesn’t do it justice.

We arrive at the emergency room doors, leaving us no choice but to get out here. I’ll be having words with the driver since I’m certain he knows this was not the way I wanted to come in. The driver is a Vizzini, but it was only Diaz men who got in the vehicle. They didn’t muscle their way in, but the Vizzini men didn’t stand a chance. I want men I personally know are trustworthy.

Even though my wounds are visible through my shredded suit coat and shirt, I’d wanted to be a little less conspicuous when we arrived.

So much for that plan.

I help Tre out of the SUV, and she wraps both arms around mine as though she could steer me where she wants. We both know if I don’t want to go in that direction, she can’t make me. At least not by brute strength. I know she could coerce me with her words.

I glance down at her, and her expression tells me I shouldn’t even bother arguing since she won’t relent. We make our way to the check-in desk, and I have to scramble for an excuse to explain how I got injured. I can’t exactly say my vehicle blew up.

“Name and birth date.”

“Tómas Rodriguez, with a z.”

I offer her a date that doesn’t even nearly match my real one. Fortunately, I carry a fake ID and insurance card for that name. It’s my default alias if need be. I shift my gaze to Tre without turning my head. She doesn’t react to the false name. I’m fairly certain she expected it, and it’s hardly the first time she’s heard a man give a fake name in this situation.

“What brings you in today, Mr. Rodriguez?”

“I’m the owner of a construction demolition company. I was at a job site today that had a misfire, and I caught some shrapnel.”

The woman at the desk furrows her brow since the front of me looks fine. I turn toward Tre, and the woman can now see my back.

“Good golly, Miss Molly. All right, we will get you seen right away. How have you not passed out?”