Page 82 of Brutal Mercy

I turn, extending my arm as Diego goes for his gun on the ground. And I pull the trigger. The bullet hits him in the eye and blows out the back of his skull.

He topples to the ground. Dead.

We won.

But this is just the first battle. Diego’s father won’t like that his beloved son lies dead on my floor.

War is here. The cartel gambled and lost tonight. We will strike back at the heart of them. And we will be successful.

Shoving the gun in the back of my pants, I pull her into my arms. She’s openly sobbing. And fuck, but I hope like hell Diego was just talking smack about his men raping her sister. If not, fuck, it makes me want to kill him all over again. And beg forgiveness for not sending Ares in sooner.

“Hush now. It’s over.” I run my hands up and down her back.

“I thought he killed you. He said he did.”

“Kill me? Not today. Or ever. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” I look at my men. “I’m taking her upstairs. Wrap that up.” I jerk my chin toward Diego’s dead body. “We’re going to send Daddy a little present. Clear the rest, take them into the shed, and burn them. They don’t deserve a fucking burial.”

I scoop Luna into my arms and carry her up to our bedroom and into the bathroom. I need to see for myself she’s all right. I help her undress and get us both into the shower. Gently, I wash her face and catalog all her bruises.

“I’m so sorry he touched you when I swore he never would again. I should have known after the stunt at the ballet that he was up to something. Forgive me for not seeing this coming. Forgive me for not getting your sister sooner. I’m so sorry, love.”

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

We stand beneath the hot water, holding each other. I murmur, “Why don’t we get you into bed? I need to check on my men and check in with Ares.”

“What do we do if his men raped her? How do I handle this?” She lifts her stricken face. And my heart breaks all over again.

Lowering my forehead until ours touch, I tell her, “One day at a time. If we need to get her therapy, we will. It might take a while, but I’m sure with your love, she’ll recover.”

I get her out of the shower and dried off, then into one of my shirts—at her request. Once she’s snuggled beneath the covers, I dress and head back down to help my men clean up the rest of the mess and assess the damage.

Two hours later, Luna comes down in fresh slacks and a top, looking every bit the queen. I put my arm around her as Orlov arrives.

Roman looks as exhausted as I feel. “Sorry we couldn’t get here sooner. They hit our compound too. Your sister is fine, by the way. She helped. Took out a few of the cartel. She would have come, but my brother got shot, and she’s with him.”

I shake his hand. “Thanks for coming. We’ve got a present for Marco that maybe you’ll want in on.”

Roman grins. “You’re speaking my language now. I think I’m going to enjoy this alliance of ours.”

I don’t let Luna go as Roman and I talk strategy for delivering Diego to his daddy. I keep her at my side. Because she’s my queen, and that’s where she belongs.

And then I spy Ares’s van. He texted me a short while ago that they ran into some problems, but he’s got her sister.

“Love, look at the van.” I nod toward where the gate used to be.

“Is that?” She puts her hand on my arm and squeezes, excitement and fear on her face.

“Ares with your sister,” I answer for her.

She glances up at me with such love it’s a wonder I’m still standing and not on my knees, thanking my lucky stars for bringing this woman into my life.

The van stops, and both front doors open. I let Luna go. She’s already running toward the van, yelling Lyla’s name.

And her sister steps out, looking ragged and beat up. But she’s alive, wrapped in my brother’s coat. The moment she sees Luna, she breaks down into tears. And then both women are hugging and crying.

Everyone smiles at the sisters’ tearful reunion, myself included. We got lucky.

Lyla’s too weak to stand for long, but Ares helps carry her inside and up to the bedroom for her. Luna follows them in.

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