Page 123 of Hostile Love
“Of course. I’ll be honored to introduce you to my wife,” Tomás says. “Now, if you’ll excuse us. Our helicopter is waiting. Don’t worry though, I still have my eyes and ears in every city, in every country. No rest for the wicked, right?”
Tomás offers a tight smile and adds, “My bride deserves better than a ceremony at my father’s plantation. This is the home of nightmares, not dreams.”
He glances at the dead and then looks directly at Dani as if he’s reliving a familiar memory.
When he speaks, his eyes darken. “These men weren’t innocent. Not one bit. They wanted our blood––our empire. And we’ll do whatever it takes to protect them both.”
She nods at his comment, fully understanding why we did what we did. And why she was involved.
Dani had earned my brothers’ respect and her place by my side. Despite all that, I was the guy who had to prove myself worthy of the spot next to her. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Our mission today had been clear, and she was given a choice. Either take part or sit with Mama and watch.
Dani had listened to the countless cruel things those men had participated in and decided justice was a bullet that she’d happily dish out.
When André heads for the exit and clicks his fingers, one of our guys unlocks the doors for him.
Strobes of sunlight burst inside, settling over the dead.
Plucking a blunt from his tin and fishing out a lighter, he shouts over his shoulder, “Feed the fuckers’ bodies to the tigers! We’re out of here.”
35
CARINA
“You must know something?” I ask the girls sitting opposite me in ivory leather aircraft seats.
Sinéad shakes her head and gently pats baby Cruz’s back. His tiny head rests on her neck and a huge, plush teddy bear blanket covers them both.
I nuzzle his sister Cora’s fluffy black hair as she sleeps in my arms, knocked out in a milk coma after guzzling a bottle of baby formula.
“We've been flying for hours.” I sigh. “I bet Dré gave you a hint. Gio would have said?—”
India removes an AirPod and stretches her arms above her head.
“I promise, I’ve no idea.” She laughs at my persistence. “Anyway, I prefer not knowing. It’s an adventure. And we all need a little excitement, right?”
The longer we’re in the air, the more impatient I’m becoming.
“All Gio told me was we wouldn’t have to worry about security.” India’s brows pull together, and her ocean blue eyes turn navy as a thought passes behind them. “We’re probablyheading back to Sin Island. I’d like to spend some time at Reno’s memorial site.”
India stares off into space, gazing beyond a napping Lola at the rear of the plane. With Daenis sprawled out on her lap, India strokes the dog in long sweeps and subconsciously fiddles with the gold locket around her neck, lost in her memories.
She never takes the necklace off. I don’t blame her when it keeps her brother close.
I miss hugging my own big brother too. We haven’t seen each other in person for months. We speak on the phone most weeks.
However, Salvador works in the Amazon jungle and puts his everything into his job.
“I’m so excited.” Leo sets his iPad on the table and clambers onto his knees, swiping a curl away from his thick lashes. “Uncle Dré made me promise not to tell thewomen.”
He sits forward, tucks his feet up under his butt, and stabs his elbows on top of the fixed table, grinning at me.
“He told you?” Sinéad smirks, shaking her head lightly. “Why am I not surprised?”
“He told Cruz and Cora too,” he admits. “You’re going to be so happy, Auntie Rina.”
His toothless smile brightens his gorgeous little face.
