After a few hours of forced sleep, Wulf hit the road again. Tito’s directions hadn’t been entirely specific. But driving inland and south was the gist of what Tito knew. Three hours later, tumbleweeds and sand had transitioned to a smog-filled city then finally opened to a beautiful lush green land. Tito had said once he passed the agricultural town of Juero, Mexico, he’d travel up a windy mountain further into the emerald green mountains. Through the thick of vibrant trees, Wulf first noticed the red clay tile roof that seemed to extend for ages.

The mansion popped into view. As he drove past, he noticed the dirt terrain showed signs of less traffic. At a rest stop about a hundred miles back, Wulf had grabbed a map of the area, since his iPhone might fail him for potential unused roads. There was a trail leading up into the windy mountain and he had a hunch, they might have to use it.

About a quarter of a mile north of the mansion, Wulf placed his right shoulder on the passenger seat headrest, then reversed into the thicket, preparing for a covert escape if necessary. He got out and shut the door.

Taking in the scenery, he moved toward the mansion and found the security lacking, but took a swift survey of the home before nearing a window. Just his luck, he looked into the kitchen. Mary Jane.

She didn’t look like an abductee, digging around the refrigerator and grabbing a bottle of soda. She looked like this was a leisure Saturday with Netflix.

He ducked down when he heard noises.

I’m going to talk to her.

What the fuck!

I’m risking my life for a chat with a woman who left me.

A war raged within his psyche. When he looked up, he saw a feminine frame in the upstairs window across the courtyard. Wulf zipped toward the cherubim water fountain in the middle of the courtyard, but the woman was gone. He knelt for a few moments until he noticed Mary Jane again in what appeared to be an office upstairs a few doors down. He was unable to get a close view of her face. Again, she moved around entirely too freely. Someone who had been abducted wouldn’t meander the kitchen and various places around the house, back to a room where they should no doubt be confined.

Someone abducted would run once they broke out of their room.

Peeking around the statue, he noticed a balcony and hurried out in the open toward it. At the base of the balcony, Wulf jumped. He gripped the ledge and grunted while pulling himself up onto the floorboard of the iron balcony. He leaned his leg over the railing one at a time. It was diagonal to the room he’d seen her in.

Wulf cursed himself for being on the balcony out in the open, for any of Hector’s goons to see. All he needed was one thug to unexpectedly step out of the house or drive up, and that’d be the end of his life.

He cursed the feelings he had for Mary Jane because being with her felt just closer to home. That was not a good response to have with regard to a woman who’d left him for this extravagant existence. A frigid feeling clinched at his heart as he watched Mary Jane kissing a man. Not just any man.

Canelo.

It had to be him.

I’m a fucking idiot.

After a minute, he peeked back up and couldn’t see anyone. Maybe they’d laid down on the bed. Wulf climbed over the side of the railing and jumped down. He ran toward the forested area.

Just in the safety of the trees, Wulf slammed his fist into a cypress tree. Searing pain shot down his forearm, but it didn’t compare to the tearing of his heart. The ripping in two. There’d be no dying for love today—a love that didn’t love him. He silently hurried back to his stolen car.

Void of all emotion, he got in and closed the door. He lay his forehead on the steering wheel for a few minutes as he took in the drastic change he called life. This person that he’d become was an old recycled version of his younger self. Foolish and dumb. A life of stealing and fighting was exactly how his father raised him.

Biting his bottom lip, Wulf put the key into the ignition. He determined that the private security job would do. At least he’d make a shitload of money, and there’d probably be enough beautiful women who would help him drown his sorrows.

“Shit, that’s why you fell so hard for Mary Jane.” He laughed bitterly at himself.

Blast!

An explosion drew his attention back to the house. After the loud blast, an eerie silence followed for a split second. And then he heard a woman scream.