Page 105 of Tainted Blood

Frowning, I toss the quarter onto the desk beside him. “Which makes me wonder why it took decades of death and destruction to uncover such a simple truth. Why—”

“Why the sins of the fathers rested at the feet of the children to cleanse and rebuild,” he finishes, without hesitation.

Today is meant for love and celebration, not for exorcising demons, so instead of expanding on all the “what-ifs” clouding my head, I nod.

“Something like that.”

My father falls quiet again, the words hanging heavy between us. Removing his hands from his pockets, he clasps them at his chest and presses the pads of his thumbs together. “I’ve always taught you to never question what is, Santi—but to mold it into what you want. However, you and your sister aren’t just Carreras. You’re Lacheys, and Lacheys question everything.”

Now it’s my turn to slide my hands in my pockets, the subtle humor in his tone when speaking about my mother curving my lips.

“Lacheys challenge what is, in order to create ‘what can be’. Hate fights for dominance, but only love can share it.” Rising to his feet, he claps a hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t teach you that, Santi. You’ve taught me.”

It’s a concession I never expected to hear. Valentin Carrera doesn’t graciously accept defeat, and he rarely admits fault.

My chest swells with honor. “Gracias, pápa.”

“They’re about to start,” he says, nodding toward the closed door. “Take a moment, reflect, and then get your ass to the altar. You have a bride to remarry.”

Where he’ll be standing beside me, this time around.

“You know, originally, a groom’s best man was tasked with kidnapping the bride from her home.” A devilish smile spreads across his face. “A mission you accomplished all on your own. You don’t need my help doing anything, Santi. You’ve built your own legacy.”

I smile to myself, counting his footsteps as they cross the room, only to stop at the door.

“Oh, and Santi?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I collide with that familiar, proud gaze.

“Thalia’s heart may bear the Carrera name, but her soul will always be a Santiago.” At the strain on my face, his perpetual stony expression softens. “A combination befitting a future queen. I look forward to getting to know both sides.”

As he closes the door behind him, I pick up the coin and toss it in the air.

Heads.

Five minutes later, I’m still thinking about the impact of his words.

Thalia walked into my casino looking for a way to cheat darkness, only to find me—a man firmly entrenched in his own, framed by a hate I held so sacred. We’ve overcome obstacles that not many could survive. But the night she was ripped from my arms, we turned the tide, forcing vows into sworn ones.

Eleven years ago, I sacrificed my loyalty for her innocence.

A year ago, she sacrificed her innocence for my loyalty.

Today, we sacrifice the past for the promise of our future.

* * *

The sanctuary of Sacred Heart Church is nowhere near capacity. After everything that’s happened in the last year, Thalia and I both wanted our second wedding to be intimate and more importantly, contained. Outside, the perimeter of the church is fortified by a double wall of armed Carrera and Santiago sicarios.

We’re starting a new chapter, not trying to flip back to the prologue.

The interior has changed since the last time I was here. Today, it’s bowing to a new era—pristine and unblemished by the violence inflicted on it by two warring families.

My father stands silent but proudly by my side at the altar, with RJ positioned on his left. As I wait for the back doors to open, I glance across to where Ella Santiago stands in her simple red silk maid of honor gown, with a soft smile and wise eyes. Just behind her stands my sister in a matching dress, but with a different kind of a smile. She’s also fucking telepathic, judging by the way she’s staring at me.

I don’t know what possesses me, but I hold her gaze and mouth, “Thank you.”

Lola’s smile brightens as she mouths back, “You’re welcome.”

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