Page 5 of Cartel Cobra

I’ve never been into the idea of arranged marriages despite how my parents have hinted way too many times. I don’t want to marry a woman because she’s merely convenient for my family or me.

I think that’s part of what bothers me so much about Luciana’s situation. Her father adores her, and he’s practically over the top protective—still shocks me she went to the restroom alone—but he’ll use her for the greater good. I want to say that doesn’t sit well with me, but I’m about to do the same thing.

I sit back with my eyes closed, forcing my mind away from Luciana until the car stops and shifts into park. I’m alone, so I don’t stifle my aggrieved sigh.

Fucking hell. Here we go again.

I climb out of the backseat and head into the mansion. The man’s taste is gaudier than Liberace. My grandmother loved him. It’s the only reason I know who the dead singer was. It certainly wasn’t for a fashion sense I’d want to copy. Talk about over the top and gauche. I glance at Humberto’s gold-plated banister and want to laugh. You can see where the veneer’s chipping if you look in the right spot. The oldpedazo de mierdaloves his furs and jewelry as if he were a washed-up Vegas stripper.

“Esteban?”

“Sí, capitan.”

He wishes he could go byjefe, but he knows that’d push people too far. But if he has his way, he’ll have that title before the summer’s over.

“What did you learn?”

Demanding fucker.

“She met with her fiancé then her sister. It didn’t look like love in paradise between Domingo and her.”

That fucker. Fuck him.

Caremonda. Penis face.

I’ve never liked Domingo Aguilar. The man was born with a silver spoon up his ass. Our families arenotfriends.

“What were they talking about?”

“They kept their voices down. Short of sitting at the table with them, there was no way to hear them. But I suspect it was about their wedding. She kept touching her engagement ring, twisting it like she wanted to take it off.”

I would’ve loved nothing more than to see her throw it in his face. He’s so far beneath her, he’s on the other side of theworld. I don’t know her, but I know enough about him that I wouldn’t wish him on anyone. He has a temper, and he’s already unfaithful. He’ll treat her like shit the moment the honeymoon is over. Probably before that since they’ll be away from her family.

“Did you speak to her?”

“No. There wasn’t a chance.”

“How the fuck are you supposed to seduce her if you don’t talk to her?”

“I never agreed to that.”

“You don’t have to agree. You do what the fuck you’re paid for.”

I straighten my shoulders and lift my chin. Unlike Lucy—where the hell did that come from—I can look down my nose at theviejo. I mean that insult far more than she did. I’m way bigger than he was even in his prime. I don’t need to take a menacing step toward him to make it clear I could snap his neck in half. Killing him won’t serve my purpose.

“You know I’m not here for the money.”

“No. You hate my brother more than I do. Seducing his daughter should be the icing on the cake.”

I shrug. “I may hate Josue because he shoved his daughter into bed with the heir to a family I loathe, but I’m not harming any Diaz woman. You may not have limits, but I do.”

That’s about the only one I have. No women and no children. I don’t wage war against them, and I don’t take them prisoner.

“Sure.” Humberto laughs and turns away, expecting me to follow him into his office alone.

“I’m serious,capitan. I’ll follow her and watch her, even scare her, but I won’t harm her. I still have to look my mother in the eye.”

She’d flay me alive. Any person who doesn’t fear their mother more than anyone else is anidiota. Anyone who can survive the pains of giving birth is someone who understands how toinflict it. They may never do it, but they know what the body can endure. How far it can be pushed. And no one is more protective than a mother defending her kids. If my mother thinks Humberto’s corrupted me enough to harm a woman or child, the man will die watching her slit his throat.

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