The room hums with rigidity, the air thickening as I assess the gravity of the betrayal earlier than me. Sustaining respect and obedience is a fragile dance, and these males have stumbled and tripped over their very own deceit. I step ahead, my gaze mounted on the traitor earlier than me.

“I warned you what the results can be for stealing from me,” I declare, the load of my phrases settling like a shroud. “Betrayal calls for cost.”

“No, please,” he begs, his eyes broad with panic because the sweat drips down his forehead now, staining his shirt because it falls.

I give a nod, and my males, a silent refrain of enforcers, shut in on the responsible man.

“Everybody exterior,” I order because the Valencia member is dragged by way of the again door and towards the timber surrounding the small cottage.

I step exterior behind him, my males corralling the remainder of the gathering crew by way of the door after me so everybody can see what turns into of people that betray me. Evidently phrases alone will not be sufficient.

“Put him on his knees,” I command, pulling my gun from its holster beneath my go well with jacket and cocking it.

The person struggles, attempting to face and flee regardless of the 2 males who grasp his arms forcefully, shoving his shoulders down till his knees hit the bottom.

“Please,” the person begs, tears spilling now as he shuffles towards me. “Please have mercy. I’ve a household. I gained’t—I’ll get you the cash immediately. All of it. Simply give me one other probability.”

“So, you don’t want one other week to get the cash you owe me?” I prod, him haughtily. “Fascinating.”

“I could make it occur. Simply please, please spare me.”

“Did the 2 males who died earlier than you not function a powerful sufficient instance?” I demand. “I’d hoped we’d come to a fast, clear understanding. However it appears that evidently a one-handed messenger was not convincing sufficient. So that you’ll have to assist me drive the purpose residence, I assume. It’s nothing private. However I would like the lads you got here with immediately to see what I do to traitors. I guarantee you I don’t give them second probabilities.”

“Oh god, no. Please!” he howls as I decrease my gun, aiming it proper between his eyes.

Then I pull the set off.

The punishment is swift and brutal—a reminder to all who witness what are the results of treachery. The shot echoes by way of the small clearing, sending the person’s head snapping again. As his head lolls, a small gap dots the area between his eyebrows, a stream of crimson liquid trailing down his nostril. The person’s lifeless physique slumps ahead a second later as my males launch his arms.

Within the deafening silence that follows, I hear a delicate gasp. One which originates from the timber past the cabin. My eyes snap in that path as I understand we’d have a witness. Although who can be this far past the home, I don’t know. We’re on the sting of wilderness, miles from civilization in any path.

Whoever it’s will need to have adopted us to finish up on the outskirts of my land, proper the place I don’t need them to be. My abdomen drops as I understand they might simply have incriminating proof that might destroy me.

And as I scan the timber looking for them, a flash of motion catches my eye. The hidden observer jumps up, turning to flee into the woods. And I don’t get take a look at them earlier than they vanish past my line of sight.

“Fuck,” I hiss. “End the collections, and eliminate the physique!” I snarl over my shoulder towards my males.

Then I am going tearing after the witness earlier than they will escape.

22

TIA

Late-morning solar filters previous the heavy drapes that cascade down from the two-story home windows lining one total wall of the library. It casts a heat glow on the books and mahogany furnishings. I sit, curled up on an overstuffed leather-based sofa, studying. Or attempting to, a minimum of.

However my ideas preserve turning to Leo and the way I discovered myself nonetheless wrapped in his arms once I woke this morning. The echo of our passionate night time collectively lingers in my thoughts, making my pulse race by way of my veins.

And it raises a storm of troubling feelings inside me.

Leo might be brutal, virtually savage, in the best way he behaves. However final night time, he unveiled a aspect I hadn’t anticipated—a stage of tender concern that caught me off guard. Like how he got here to test on me once I was throwing up and held my hair again after he realized how sick I used to be. Or the best way he touched me in mattress, his sole focus seeming to be on my pleasure. Even his readiness to grant me entry to a automobile and limitless time with my sisters.

I’m much less sure immediately of my plans for revenge, much less positive that Leo is solely the monster I made him out to be in my head. Perhaps, simply possibly, I want time to know him higher.

For the primary time, I discover I’m not dreading what the longer term holds for me and the infant rising inside me. Maybe we may discover happiness in Leo’s care. The night time has left me in a state of confusion, questioning my assumptions and opening up the chance that the alliance with my household is likely to be a viable choice.

As my father appeared to hope.

Sighing, I shut my e book. I have to be going loopy.

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