Page 107 of My Desire (Mi Deseo)

There’s nothing I can do right now, not with the situation we’re in, so I give him a nod and I look at Alvaro.

I’m about to ask him if he knew too, but his angry eyes are locked on Romero. When he looks down at me, he shakes his head.

“I didn’t know otherwise I would have gotten him out.”

I squeeze his hand in thanks because I know he’s telling me the truth. How Romero knew and he didn’t, I don’t know, but I believe him. My sweet Alvaro knows what it’s like to lose a parent, he wouldn’t lie to me about mine.

I pull my hand from Romero’s, wrapping my arm around my waist as I cling to Alvaro. I’m so disappointed in Romero. He’s repeating the same mistake he did with Alvaro and the letter his mother wrote him. Yeah, I practically hate my father, but I don’t wish for him to be harmed. Especially after hearing how he helped my mother and protected us with all he had.

Knowing what happened to Alma—the cartel and the execution of her family—Victor still took us as his own and gave us his name so we’d never be found.

The only reason there’s a bitter taste of hate in my heart for the man is because his greed to be the best of the best got us found by Marío and has led us to this situation here and now.

Darío clicks his tongue, a chuckle leaving him and bringing me back to the present.

“If I had been you, I would have chosen to take her mother. After all, she would make a better bargaining chip with the girl. If what you tell me is true, then I highly doubt Miss Guzmán will fall into line for the life of the man who is not only heradoptivefather but also the man whosoldher to you.”

Despite the fact that I can’t see him, it almost feels like Darío is speaking to me, trying to remind me that Victor is the motherfucker who sold me to Marío. Reminding me of the hate I felt for him until hearing my mother’s story. Don’t get me wrong, Victor is still a pussy ass bitch for selling me, but when I push back my hurt and pride, I can’t deny that he was put between a rock and a hard place when he was forced to choose between me and his entire family.

“How do you know he’s not her father?” Marío asks suspiciously.

I hear someone rising from their seat, the sound of wooden chair legs scraping on the floor loudly and echoing in the open dining hall.

I can hear the smile clear in Darío’s voice. “The same way I know you donotin fact have Vicenta—because I am the one who has her.”

Two quick shots ring out, making the guard lift his hand to us when my guys and brother react and reach for their own guns.

As Marío stutters and splutters in outrage, the guard steps away and gestures to us.

We enter the room, my eyes landing on two men lying prone on the floor with their eyes unseeing and a bullet hole between their eyes. I do my best to ignore the pool of blood beneath their heads as we walk past them.

Darío killed the Banderas’ guards so fast, they didn’t even have time to reach for their weapons. He could have killed my brother and me in seconds back at the cabin if he really wanted to. Hell, he could have killed Javier, but he didn’t. He’s not your typical cartel man but to me, that calculated mind of his makes him even more dangerous.

I focus back on a furious Marío. I want to grab a knife and stab him through the skull after demanding to know where my dad is, but I don’t. I won’t show this fucking shark my weakness.

His soulless eyes scan over us as we come to a stop, his lip curling at the fact that we are all together. Two long-time rivals standing shoulder-to-shoulder against him with the only woman to have ever stood with one foot in both territories between them.

Even with my anger at Romero for keeping secrets from me, I want to present a united front, especially with the deal Darío struck with us, so I reach out to my side and take his hand in mine, my heart squeezing at the contact. I can only imagine what is going through Marío’s head as he stares at us.

Romero on my left, his black suit gloved perfectly against his muscular body, his dress shirt open in its usual way while his nickel plated guns gleam at his hips. On my right is Alvaro, his son, his gray suit jacket open revealing the black dress shirt beneath. The rosary on his chest swings side-to-side as he adjusts his stance like the tail of a grandfather clock, ticking down the time that Marío has left in this world.

My brother moves to Romero’s side in his black suit, encasing the confident soldier he would have been raised to be had our biological father lived to do it. Of course, now he’s being taught bymymen and it shows in his vengeful eyes. His groomed facial hair makes him look older, harder, and a hell of a lot more intimidating than he ever has before.

Then there’s me.The curse, as Darío calls me.La Bruja, La Diabla sucia, my hands held tightly by ‘Mero and ‘Varo with a smirk on my face.

That’s right, puto, you chose the wrong woman to fuck with.I turned the son against his father, made rivals into allies and now I’m going to stand back and watch his empire be handed to us.

Despite the tremble in my heart, I stare at the bastard who dared to harm my family. Who dared to use me in his grab for power. Who dared to kill my friend and Alvaro’s mother.

I will remember his demise the rest of my days and I will never have a single regret for agreeing to end his life.

“Hola,Marío.” I smile at him sweetly.

“Pinche puta!”

I give him a wink as my smile widens, my teeth showing when adrenaline begins to pulse through my bloodstream relentlessly. When he steps forward as though he wants to hurt me, Romero, Alvaro and Vicente pull their guns out. I laugh when he abruptly stops, face red with outrage and a hurt ego.

Darío, who is standing on the other side of the table with his back to the wall and his eyes on the room, clears his throat.

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