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“What’s going on?”

July tried to get up before Tuff answered, pulling Fletch’s attention to him.

“No, baby. You’re in pain. I’ve got you.” He lifted July into his arms like a newborn baby. God knew July was as light as one. The guy never ate. That was another thing he needed to fix.

With July in his arms, Fletch focused on Tuff again. “What’s up?”

“The Kharti are here.”

July squirmed as if trying to escape. “No. I’m not going. She’s probably here to kill me, and Beau will let her. I’m no one. He won’t damage his relationship with another crime lord for me. I need to get out of here.”

“No one will hurt you,” Fletch and Tuff vowed at the same time. They sounded equally dead set on that.

Fletch tossed Tuff a smile before focusing on July again. “Stop struggling before you hurt yourself.”

July immediately stilled.

He made Fletch proud. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes.” July hadn’t even hesitated.

Damn, Fletch loved him. “No one will hurt you without going through the two of us. I know Beau. If you trust me, then trust him. He always has a plan.” Fletch hoped that plan wasn’t throwing July to the wolves. Fletch meant what he said. They would have to kill him if they wanted July.

July nodded.

Fletch headed for the door. “Let’s do this.”

Tuff fell into step behind him, watching his back as ordered. Fletch felt pretty certain Beau wouldn’t have told Tuff to guard them if he intended to let the Kharti take them.

As they reached Beau’s office, Fletch took a steadying breath. He hoped they didn’t die today. When they crossed the threshold, the room fell silent. July started shaking in his arms the second Rex came into view. Fletch had to stop himself from jumping the guy.

Three Latin men wearing business suits surrounded the most beautiful woman Fletch had ever seen. While he wasn’t into women, he knew one of God’s favorites when he saw one.

Beau wore a cold expression and motioned toward a nearby couch that had obviously been moved close to Beau’s desk to accommodate them. “Have a seat.”

Fletch sat, still holding July.

Tuff took up sentry next to them, angling his body in a way that would quickly put him between them and any attacker before anyone reached them.

Beau didn’t waste time. “Everyone is here. I leave the floor to Catalina.”

She dipped her chin in acknowledgment. Her gaze stayed locked on July. In fact, she hadn’t stopped looking at him since they came into the room. She wore an unreadable expression.

“You are July, correct?”

July nodded, seeming equally fixated on her.

“Did he do this to you?”

July nodded again.

Catalina didn’t bat an eye. “You are very beautiful. I’ll give you that. Unmarked by this pendejo, I imagine you take people’s breath.”

July’s shaking lessened. “You’re the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen. I’m sorry about everything. Even though I know it doesn’t matter, by the time he told me he was married, it was too late for me. He used his connections, money, and fists to trap me. I didn’t know what to do. I knew he would kill me if I left or tried to contact you. Unfortunately, I didn’t have to leave for him to still try to kill me.”

Catalina sighed. “None of this surprises me. Don’t bother with guilt. I knew there was someone else. My life is in Peru. I needed him here so I could do business in both countries. The moment he bought you a house, I knew everything.” She made a dismissive gesture. “He needed the distraction. As long as I knew nothing about you, I could pretend you didn’t exist. What I didn’t know is that he’s a closeted, self-hating gay. I had no inkling of your sex. Not that I care, other than him laying hands on you. My father was an abusive man.”

All three guards surrounding her nodded.