Page 87 of King of Hearts

I knew it was senseless. Hell, I even knew the odds were stacked against us. I also knew I was risking men who would follow me in. For that, I knew I had to say something, so I climbed up into one of the truck beds and yelled into the mass of men who had gathered.

“We’re likely outnumbered. They have the advantage, being at home, and this could very well be a suicide mission. If your heart isn’t in this, leave. No harm will come to you, no expectations of blood and bond. I am doing this for my own gain, my own reasons. I can’t ask you to sacrifice your life for my own goals.” I looked down, seeing several eyes stare back at me, unchanging in their demeanor. “But…as your leader…I’m asking that you help me bring home my queen. She walked in through those doors as a way of protecting me, and I won’t rest until I’ve pried her out of there and brought her back home. I may die trying. If I go down, I ask that you get her out. Get the baby out. Neither of them can stay there. If you’re with me, come with us…if you’re not, drive home.”

I leapt down, ending my speech and trying to push past the nerves rattling inside me. My entire life I had avoided this, avoided my father’s footsteps and the life he’d led…but for her, I’d gladly walk it out.

I didn’t watch to see if anyone followed as I entered the armored car I’d be driving in. Hector climbed in next to me.

“You inspire them, primo…we haven’t had that in a long time,” he declared, sounding somber.

The driver of our car started north, merging onto the freeway toward the Mariano compound.

Hector looked over at me, his gun resting in his lap. “Did you ever know our gramps?”

I peered over at him, crushing my brows in question. “My dad’s dad?”

My cousin nodded. “He was the leader back then. I obviously was too young to be in the regiment, but I remember him. I remember my pops talking about how Gramps was a good man. He cared about the things other men in the business didn’t…cared about the weak and helpless. He inspired the men to be great, to do good with their love and devotion to El Peligro. He used this family to keep the streets of his city safe, used his money to feed the widows and orphans. He cared for people, and because of it we had more pledges and people asking to sign on to this life than we ever had before.”

I was silent as the car carried us closer to my girls. My heart thundered rapidly as I heard about this man who shared blood with me…who didn’t sound like a monster. He sounded good, like the kind of man I would hope to be.

“All I’m saying is…it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have that kind of leadership again.”

I glanced away from him, looking back out the window as a knot formed in my throat. I had assumed the men would leave me and I would ruin this thing they had created, but stepping into a legacy my grandfather had originally created didn’t seem to feel like I would be losing a dream. I did love hockey…but I loved it like I loved football or any other sport. I liked playing it, but it wasn’t my dream.

Creating change felt like a dream worth chasing. Being someone who created safe streets and helped in ways other organizations couldn’t sounded like a dream. Knowing what was going on with the black market and human trafficking rings, being able to help…that felt like a noble dream. A small fire lit inside me as I considered what it would be like to help people with the power of El Peligro at my back. It would be worth it, all of it, regardless of the fact that I had already made my decision about staying. Hearing this only helped soothe my worry that I might end up like my dad someday.

I’d do anything for Taylor and Alex, but now I had a new goal in mind…something that felt fresh and new, a legacy of my own that would start an entirely new chapter for this gang.

“Once we get there, I want to take the lead,” I muttered, still looking out the window.

Hector didn’t respond, but I had a feeling I knew what he’d say if he did. He’d be right there with me regardless.

We sat in silence as the rain poured and we traveled toward the outskirts of the city.

Chapter Thirty-Three

The menaround the compound didn’t pay me much notice. In fact, no one besides Markos paid me any notice. I wasn’t complaining, but it felt odd…there was something I was missing.

It had been about an hour since I cried in my room, tucking Juan’s letter away and firming my resolve to put my love for him behind me. This life with Markos was my future now, and I needed to get it through my head. Never my heart…it would never follow, but my mind needed to get on board.

I sat in a velvet chair tucked into a long dining room table, with Alex resting in her carrier on the seat next to me. I was unwilling to leave her with any of Markos’ staff or maids, even if they were lovely women who seemed friendly enough. I wouldn’t leave Alex with anyone.

“So, there are a few details I’d like to cover before this weekend, and I thought to start out, we needed to clear the air.” Markos took a large bite of the egg whites in front of him.

I pushed my breakfast around my plate with a fork. A yawn overtook me as I looked longingly at my cup of tea. I hadn’t asked for tea, I had asked for coffee, but one of the maids told me tea would be better for my milk supply. She was probably right, but I hadn’t slept the night prior and was running on fumes.

“What do we need to clear?”

Markos shifted in his seat, facing me with one long arm braced along the table, the other on the back of my chair. I didn’t like how close it brought us.

“We need to clear up this issue with your father…so, I’ve invited him over to discuss terms.”

I scooted my chair back immediately. “No. He can’t come here—he won’t agree to any deal with you.”

Markos trailed my movement with a confused expression. His thick brows crowded his brown eyes, and his lips seemed to thin.

“I think you’re being a little dramatic…sit back down, Ari. We’ll speak to him together.”

Just as I was about to say something, the sound of muffled voices and movement sounded near the foyer, out through the dining room doors.

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