26

26

I’m relieved as fuck when I see the caller ID.

“Jaguar.”

“Falcon.”

“Thanks for calling back.”

“Of course.”

I hear the distance in his voice and shake my head. It seems I’m on the outs with everyone in the world at the moment; my wife, my mistresses, and now my best friend. But I don’t want that; he’s family in every sense of the word, more brother to me than my own blood. I have enough enemies, and I won’t lose my best friend over a human woman.

“Jag, I know you’re pissed…”

“I need to see her.”

“Pardon?”

“I need to see Angelina. There are a couple of things I need clarity on before I can come up with a plausible explanation for Caroline’s demise.”

“Clarity? I’ve told you what happened — Angelina poisoned her.”

“Yes, so you say,” he murmurs.

“You don’t believe me? Since when have you mistrusted my word?”

There’s silence on the other end of the line for a long minute before he sighs heavily.

“I won’t let on any of your diabolical plans, if that’s what you’re worried about. I simply need to question her.”

“Alone?”

“Yes.”

I run my hands through my hair in agitation and pace the room. It’s not that I mistrust him with my woman. I’d trust him with my life. It’s the subtext of his request.

“Am I to understand you’re telling me this because you want to see her, but you don’t want to see me?”

“Yes.”

I grit my teeth.

“Mi casa es su casa, brother,” I snarl before hanging up.