Page 193 of Forbidden Fate

Voices. Plates. Cutlery. The air smells of roasted meat, corn tortillas, chiles, chocolate, cilantro, lime. A home-cooked meal rich enough to make my empty stomach twist.

Then Robin turns the corner, and the room goes silent.

Every face turns toward us.

An icy sea of frowns.

I recognize some of them from files. From surveillance.

Falcon Bellamy stands near the far side of the room, tall and controlled, his eyes going flat the moment they land on me. He doesn’t move. He doesn’t need to. Every inch of him says he knows how to become violence without warning.

Hawk is closer, of course. He must have circled back from the entryway, because he’s already there with his arms crossed, body angled toward Robin, gaze fixed on me like he’s reconsidering his earlier decision not to break my jaw.

Daniela stands beside him. She’s clearly who kept him from barreling back to the front door and smashing me into tomorrow.

Does the rest of the family know about me yet? Doubtful.

Daniela must have told Hawk to let Robin deal with me.

A woman who can only be Robin’s twin, Raven, stands next to Vincent Gallo, Jr.

Him I know from Vega’s files as well. He’s already assessing me with dark eyes. Different from Hawk. Hawk wants to punch me. Vinnie? He’s calculating how to rid the world of me without getting his hands dirty.

Savannah Gallo, who’s engaged to Falcon. She’s Vinnie’s sister. And of course Daniela, and little Belinda, Declan McAllister’s daughter.

I know them all.

Star Bellamy stands near the table with a serving spoon in one hand, her face going from curiosity to alarm to something polished yet brittle.

I’ve wronged all of them by taking Robin from them. And by hurting Eagle.

“Everyone,” Robin says, “this is Cruz Moreno.”

Vinnie’s gaze sharpens.

Falcon’s eyes narrow.

Raven inhales softly.

Star blinks. “Who?”

“The man responsible for what happened to Robbie,” Hawk says through clenched teeth. “And it’s only because of my beautiful bride-to-be that he’s even breathing right now.”

“Hawk,” Daniela says quietly.

“I’m being generous.”

Robin steps forward, pulling me with her. “Cruz saved my life. He’s the only reason I’m breathing right now.”

Star’s hand tightens around the serving spoon.

Falcon’s gaze cuts to Vinnie.

Vinnie doesn’t look away from me. “He’s why you were taken in the first place.”

“But he got me out,” Robin continues. “He risked everything to do it. He turned against Vega. He brought me to people who helped me get to the embassy.”

“And what does he want?” Falcon asks.