Page 1 of Redemption

Prologue

Roque

Is a broken king lucky enough to take both a queen and a princess?

In our fucked-up fable where the villain is also a hero and the fair maiden injects poison into her own apples is happily ever after even a possibility?

Where are you Red? Do you hate me because I loved Blue more? It’s true. I miss my Baby Blue. Maybe I’ll tie you up in chains and dye your hair for you. We’ll hate fuck in the dark until we purge ourselves of this sick madness. Even if it takes forever.

Rain falls softly from the sky. Like the Earth’s soul is weeping. My curled fist rests against the glass as I look down. I have everything a man could want and yet it feels as if I have nothing at all. Is this how my father felt? How every Don had felt as they reach the pinnacle of their reign? Alone? Weary? Soul-sucked?

Chloe is the only light in the tunnel of darkness where I’ve made my home. But she doesn’t deserve to live in darkness. Sighing, I raise the amber liquid to my lips. I can’t sleep. Not after what went down in the private island in the Bahamas. I had gone because I knew I should. After witnessing the pain Chloe suffered, I knew I had to go and check if there were any girls underage. Any that went against their will. I was told they all went for the money. I had to see for myself. So, I posed as a perspective client looking for a toy. None were their willingly. All were drugged up and used, until they couldn’t be used anymore.

Disgusted, I had left. Saying there was nothing worth my time. But the dog, Romanov promised he’d get more. A fresh supply was due in in a few weeks’ time. I have a short time to put together a plan that includes my best men and an exit strategy. But more importantly, how in the hell do I return dozens of lost girls home without damage to my rep as the villainous Roque Salvatore, head of his own syndicate?

With a wry smile, I finish my drink. Chloe has changed me. I’m doing this for her, so she can love a father who is no longer the monster. For her, I want to be the dark protector. I’ll always run the mob, but I won’t traffic people or make money off sex slaves. I run just about everything else though. A tiger can’t change all his stripes, or he’d no longer be a tiger.

My cell dings from its spot on the table. Frowning, I check my wristwatch. It’s past three in the morning. Crossing the floor, I pick it up.

Hans:Code red.

Me:Where?

Hans:Miami. South Beach.

“What areyou up to now, Red?” Unlike the past, I don’t demand more. I don’t call my pilot. Every time, I just lose my head and chase her. This time, I have other things on my plate. Besides, I want to know what she’s up to before I go after her. I won’t risk getting any more cars blown up. Then again, I haven’t been photographed with a woman in months…maybe her tempers cooled off. Walking into my bedroom, I glance at the two pictures sitting in frames. The first is of me and Blue. She was eighteen and I was twenty-two. It’s a selfie the night I took her to prom. The second photo is my dirty secret. The selfie Red took of her and Chloe. I had it printed and safely tucked behind glass in a 24karat gold frame. My two girls. The loves of my life. For them, I’ll be a better man. Step one if saving those girls on that island. I had one of my men snap a few pics discreetly of the layout of the place. I’ll send or Johnny in the morning and together we’ll draft a plan.

“Sleep well my two beauties. I’ll see you both in my dreams…”

1

Romina

Two weeks earlier…

The girl’s words twisted me up. The hope I had tried to extinguish for so long flares back to life. I tap my phone against my thigh. There’s only one thing to do.

Me: He kept journals? Secret words on me? I need them. Crave them. I want them. Badly. I know what you are thinking. Why does she keep running? I’m so sick of her running. Well, so am I. Call me and I’ll tell you the rest of the story. The words I crossed out, deleted. Erased.

Chloe:You want his words? They come with a price.

Me:Name it.

Chloe:Stop being a chicken shit.

Me:You seriously did not just call me that.

Chloe:I need help. I’m being bullied and it sucks.

Me:I went to a new school and a new country once, too. Remember?

Chloe:That’s right. You beat up your bully in the cafeteria.

Me:No one ever fucked with me again.

Chloe:That won’t work here. I’ll get kicked out.

Me:I’ll be in touch… If you tell Roque… all bets are off.

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