Page 119 of Jagger's Remorse
"What do you mean?"
I send the video to Eduardo, then look up at Jagger. "He keeps calling memija, treating me like I'm his only family"
"So?"
"So heirs inherit. And Eduardo has a lot to leave behind."
Understanding dawns in his eyes. "You want to take over Sinaloa."
"I want to transform it. Through the Iron Veins. Through us." I touch his face. "Think about it. No more tribute. No more tests. No more choosing between family and survival. With me leading Sinaloa, the club can be in a better position than ever, and it will prove that I’m on the club’s side once and for all."
"That's... ambitious."
"It’s what needs to be done."
I pull up Eduardo's response.
A simple:
Well done, mija.
"He's grooming me," I continue. "Has been all along. Not just as an enforcer, but as his replacement. He has no wife, no children. Just me."
"And when he figures out you're playing him?"
"He won't. Because I'm not playing. I'm becoming exactly what he wants—cold, calculating, willing to do whatever it takes." I smile, sharp and dangerous. "He'll never see the knife coming because he'll be too proud of how well he sharpened it."
Jagger pulls me closer. "This is insane, dangerous, and fucking crazy."
"Everything we do is dangerous, Jagger."
"This is different. You're talking about killing?—"
"A man who ordered my father's death. Who's tortured and killed hundreds. Who uses people like chess pieces." My voice hardens. "Yes, I'm going to kill him. But first, I'm going to become him. And then I'm going to be better."
"How long?"
"Six months. Maybe a year. Long enough to cement my position, to make sure the transition is clean." I meet his eyes. "Can you wait that long?"
"I've waited five years. What's one more?"
I kiss him, tasting promise and patience.
"When I take over," I whisper against his mouth, "The Iron Veins will control the largest cartel operation in North America. We'll be untouchable."
"And until then?"
"Until then, we play our parts. You, the loyal VP. Me, the devoted goddaughter." I pull back. "Think the club can handle that?"
"For that payoff? They'll handle anything."
"Good. Because tomorrow, we will hit that Sombra warehouse. Show them Iron Veins protects its interests."
"With your injuries?—"
"I'll manage. I always do."
He helps me back to our room, tends my reopened wound with gentle hands. "You know what the scariest part is?" he says, taping fresh bandages in place.
