Page 131 of Cartel King

My toes wiggle in my shoes, and I haven’t felt this uncomfortable in a long time.

“Chiquita, what’s wrong?”

I glance out of the kitchen again and can see Jorge on the patio. The French doors are closed, so he won’t hear us.

“Daddy, I don’t know what to do. I want to help Jorge because it helps you, but I still have family in theCosa Nostra. Fucking over Tommaso fucks them over too.”

“If it doesn’t feel right, then Jorge will understand.”

“It feels disloyal either way.”

“You aren’t disloyal to me if honor tells you not to share certain things with us.”

“But I’ve sworn up and down I’ve sworn off the Vizzinis. That I’m not one of them anymore.”

“Do you fear Tommaso will punish Will?”

“That’s definitely part of it. But my father still works for Tommaso. My cousins do, too. I’m friends with Tori and Stella, even if I don’t get along with Tommaso anymore. If I tell you or Jorge what I already figured out, then it’ll be ammunition for you to use against them. It feels like I’m waiting to give myself a self-inflicted wound. But if I don’t, then you’re the one who might get hurt.”

“I’ll support whatever you decide.”

“I know. That’s not the problem. It’s the decision that is.”

“If you help Jorge, will it be obvious you’re the one who did?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Could Tommaso find out it’s you?”

“He might suspect, but unless your family confirmed it, he wouldn’t be certain.”

“Would revealing this information have far-reaching effects?”

“Probably.”

“Would it have long-term effects?”

“It could.”

“Would it endanger your sons?”

“No. If it would, I’d have said no without a second thought. But it would make life significantly harder if Tommaso found out.”

“Would they feel betrayed?”

“They wouldn’t like it, but they would probably understand. Daddy, I truly don’t know what to do. I knew a situation like this was inevitable, and I knew it wouldn’t easy. But this is harder than I expected.”

“Is it something you can take time to think about?”

“Probably, but not a lot.”

I sigh and wrap my arms around my waist. I wish I could melt away.

“Enrique! Put me down.”

I’m unprepared for him to scoop me into his arms and march to his office. He uses the biometric pad, then locks the door behind us. He carries me to a loveseat and puts me down.

“Take your dress off.”

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