Salvador made a sound of annoyance. “I’ll discover him. Within the meantime, it’s best to go to your room and keep in there. Don’t let anyone in.”

I simply stared at him. “You suppose somebody right here wished to harm me?”

“Somebody right here did attempt to damage you,” he stated oppressively. “They needed to come from someplace. Do as I say.”

Ah, Spanish males and their lordly methods! Although his bossiness was cheap, given the state of affairs. “Inform Ian to come back speak to me once you discover him,” I stated in reply. “If he doesn’t, I’ll come searching for him.”

Salvador regarded disapproving however he stated nothing, and for a second, it was a stand-off within the hallway by the steps, as he waited for me to obey his orders. With a low, decidedly American curse beneath my breath, I climbed the steps, nonetheless with that uncanny feeling of a goal on my again.

Dutifully, I locked the door to my bed room, then kicked off my sneakers and lay down on the mattress. Siestas had by no means been my factor, and after the occasions of the day I used to be even much less more likely to sleep, however I’d misjudged simply how exhausting a near-death expertise may very well be. I used to be asleep inside minutes.

The pounding on my door woke me up within the early nightfall, and I stumbled off the bed, woozy and disoriented. A minimum of Ian and I’d lastly speak, however with out considering, I opened the door. It was Marcus standing there, filling the body, an unsuitably cheerful expression on his face. “There you might be, sleepy-head. The cousins and I are going out to the Constanzas for dinner, and I knew you’d need to come.”

“Is Ian coming?” I temporized.

“Ian?” he echoed. “I doubt it. Nobody’s seen him all day, and in addition to, he hates the Constanzas.”

If he hated them, it was adequate for me. “I feel I’ll skip it.” I hesitated, contemplating it, earlier than I stated, “I had a little bit of an journey immediately.”

His placidly cheerful face didn’t change. “You probably did?”

“Somebody took a shot at me as I used to be climbing towards Pinnacle Level,” I stated flatly.

He frowned. “You could have imagined it. Why would anybody need to shoot you? All people loves you!”

Now that was an entire lie, however Marcus may be blinded by no matter it was he known as love. “The bullet went right into a tree, nevertheless it was undoubtedly an in depth name.”

“If it occurred, and I’m saying if, then it should have been an accident. Folks shoot rabbits throughout that space—you have to have run afoul of a poacher. Did you name out? Warn individuals you had been there?”

I wasn’t about to inform him about Salvador or Ian’s concern. Concern that didn’t assist a lot if the damned man was going to vanish for days on finish, I added to myself.

“I didn’t,” I answered him. “I used to be too shaken.”

“Effectively, there you go! You bought in the way in which of a hunter, and also you’re simply fortunate you weren’t damage. You’ve received to pay higher consideration, Bella. We don’t need something to occur to you!” He sounded so honest.

“Possibly,” I stated. “Are you aware the place Ian is?”

“You don’t need to hassle him with this,” Marcus stated. “He’s received sufficient on his plate proper now, looking for Podge.”

“I want to speak to him.”

“Why?” Was Marcus being notably dense, or was he in some way jealous? He had no motive to be, as Ian had made abundantly clear.

“I simply do.” I replied stubbornly. “The place is he?”

Marcus shrugged his large shoulders. “Beats me. I haven’t seen him all day.”

So it wasn’t simply me he was ghosting. What in God’s title was he doing?

“I feel it’s best to include us tonight. You understand the Constanzas would like to see you.”

“No.” My voice grated a bit, and I managed to summon a faint smile. “However give them my finest.”

Marcus beamed. “That’s my lady. Let me know when you change your thoughts.”

That wasn’t taking place. I wasn’t going wherever till I noticed Ian and confessed my sins. He wanted to know that Mariposa, the olive groves, and the vineyards had been nonetheless his. I didn’t need them.

However why did he suppose I used to be in peril, sufficient that he had somebody watch over me? I hadn’t instructed him the small print of my encounter on the dance flooring, that the person had threatened to kill me. Was he the one who had shot at me? He’d frightened me, however I hadn’t for one second thought he was severe. Until…hadn’t Granda talked about Bella’s drug-dealing ex-lover? Certainly she wouldn’t have set me up as a patsy if a prison was after her. Would she?

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