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“I don’t have to tell you what the Muñoz Cartel has done to our family in the past. Another cartel war not only weakens our hold on our ports and distribution channels, it causes unnecessary bloodshed I don’t need. Whoever is restructuring your former soldiers is good, I’ll give him that. I’ve had my best men and associates pulling intel and they’ve come up with nothing.”
“And they won’t.”
“How can you be so sure?”
I considered a straightforward answer, but having the upper hand felt too good. Plus, I wanted to push his buttons a little just to see how he’d react. “Because I know how these men think. Muñoz soldiers care nothing about order and protocol. Your wife murdered their leader, and your lieutenant exposed their queen as a fraud. They’re blind ants in a constant state of anarchy who’d follow the great and powerful Oz if he promised to avenge what they lost.” Emboldened, I poked a finger against his chest. “Let me be clear. His name is Ignacio, but it could be Francois for all they care.”
Val’s face darkened. “You need to back up and remember who you’re talking to.”
“There he is.” I smirked. “The real Valentin Carrera. The one who hates me. Nice to finally meet you, sir.”
“Dios mío, would you stop being so fucking dramatic,” he growled, batting my hand off his chest. “I don’t understand some of the things you’ve done, but you’re my sister, Adriana. I don’t hate you.”
“Your wife hates me.”
“Eden is protective, that’s all.” He stared at me as if those five words wiped the slate clean.
They didn’t.
“We had quite the chat earlier. Did she tell you that? The one where she barged into Brody’s room to accuse me of murdering her family.”
“Didn’t you?” It wasn’t a question.
“Sure, take her side.”
Val chuckled on his way back to the bar. “You two are more alike than either of you will admit. Both of you were deceived by the one person who was supposed to always protect you. You both lost your brothers to a war that should’ve never escalated to the point it did. You’re both headstrong, stubborn women with too much pride and not enough tolerance. But mostly, you’re both survivors.”
“I’m assuming there will be a point made eventually in this rousing speech?”
He poured his drink, and I held my breath as he sauntered toward me. Taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger, he tilted it up, forcing me to look up at him. “Tell yourself you’re here to prove your worth and stake your claim in this family. Make up whatever excuse you need to in order to justify why you’re really here.”
“And why am I here?”
“To face your fear of isolation.”
I jerked my chin out of his hold, my fingers curling around the back of the couch. “That’s bullshit.”
“It goes against everything you know to hand over control to me, Adriana, yet here you are. You and I, we live in a world of lies. Narcos don’t trust easily, but when we give it, it’s unwavering. To be honest, the real power begins the moment you and my wife stand on the same side of the battle line.” Raising his drink, he winked before downing the whole thing. Without another word, he turned, and I stared openmouthed at his back as it rounded the corner and disappeared.
“Don’t hold your breath.”
Chapter Eighteen
Adriana
I’d never sat on a throne before.
It wasn’t comfortable, but then again, we were criminals. Comfort led to complacency which opened the door to weakness. But this one suited me, and the moment I leaned against the black velvet, I felt at home here.
Wherever here was.
The room held nothing but silence. Stagnant, metallic-scented smoke clouded around me, close enough to lick my skin while maintaining a thin level of restraint. I should’ve feared it. I was always taught where there was smoke, there was fire, but this was my throne.
I was invincible.
Besides, if there were a fire, I would’ve already been consumed by flames.
“You craved the blood of the innocent.”
