Page 63 of Cartel King

“Don’t say anything to Tommaso yet. I haven’t fully debriefed him, and he definitely knows nothing about this. At least, I don’t think so. Did you learn anything about the gate guard?”

“My friend did some digging first thing this morning. He doesn’t know who the guy is. He’s not one of ours.”

I know far more about Will than I want Ellie to realize. He knows way more about me than I wish he did. I’m lucky I’m breathing after he caught me kissing his mother. Most sons would’ve put a bullet through my skull.

“Are you going to tell Steve and Hunt, Mom?”

“Of course. I’d hoped to tell you all together.”

“When was that going to be?”

“I’d hoped to go a little longer, but—” She looks at me. “—it can’t wait. I was going to tell Enrique over breakfast. I planned to have Hunt bring Constantine back, and we’d video call you and Steve.”

“I think I better tell them. Tommaso will lose his mind. Dad’ll?—”

“Dad’ll do nothing.”

The steel in Ellie’s voice makes Will back down. I see it in his eyes even if nothing else changes about him. It’s not fear—at least not of her. He doesn’t want to hurt her.

“I should tell him, though.”

“No. You are not telling your father about your mother’s romantic life. Let Tommaso or Frank.”

The penny drops. Her ex-husband is Timothy Vizzini. He’s one of Tommaso’s most loyalcapos. It tempts me to pinch the bridge of my nose. Ellie has a shit ton of explaining to do.

“Do you want to stay for breakfast, Will?”

He doesn’t shift his gaze from Ellie when I ask.

“Not today. I came to check on you, but I’m headed out to golf. I have a one o’clock tee time. Next time.”

This time, his hug is much warmer. He glances at me, but he focuses on Ellie. She turns her head, and I can see her smile. Her entire expression is relaxed. There’s nothing better for her than hugging her boys. I can tell.

“I love you, honey bear.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

They kiss each other’s cheek, and Will looks at me. He steps around Ellie, and she wraps her hands around his arm. He walks to me and sticks out his right hand.

“Hurt my mother, and you’ll know how I earned my reputation. I’ll take it all from you, and I’ll make you watch. Then I’ll lock you away where even God can’t see you. I’ll throw away the key and leave you there. Much better than killing you. That ends it too fast.”

Our handshake is a test. We both squeeze. Ellie knows what we’re doing, and she finally gets scared. I release his hand immediately. He turns to look at her.

“Stop protecting your mom like that, and that’s when we’ll have problems. Whatever happens between Tommaso and me, your mom comes first.”

“Always. I’m glad we agree on that.”

“Always.”

Ellie gives him another quick hug before we both watch him leave the kitchen. She doesn’t turn around until the front door closes. It’s at least a minute before she faces me. I know I should be outraged, but I’m not. I move toward her. She doesn’t shy away. She braces herself. It’s just as bad. She expects me to yell at her. When I open my arms, she rushes into them.

“Ellie, what has Tommaso made you do?”

She could be a statue in my arms. Not a bit of her moves.

“Chiquita, you’re living under an assumed name, or at least your pen name. It explains why my nephews couldn’t find any records of yours.”

She pulls away. She lifts her chin, defiance radiating from her.

---