Like how you’re guiding my sister?” I ask, my voice a low challenge.Natasha’s eyes widen as she stares at me in brief shock. It’s a rare moment that I hope to remember forever. The moment fades, and she regains her composure.“Why would you think that?” she asks cautiously.I cut her off. “Stop, Natasha. There’s no other reason a person like you would spend time with a sixteen-year old girl. Regina is mesmerized by all the excitement and money. She thinks we’re playing gangster, and nothing can go wrong.”Natasha arches a brow. “You do me and your sister a disservice.”“So, I’m mistaken?” I ask, daring her to lie. “You’re not using Alvrado’s brotherhood naivety to the Alvrado’s brother advantage?”Natasha stares at me intently before finally responding. “You may not have been willing to come here,” she says sternly. “But now you’ve made a choice to stay as Alfredo’s wife. You’ve been given privileges for your loyalty. Your sister is also making the choices she needs to make to adapt
Everywhere I look, intoxicated people laugh and have a good time in the crush of bodies. I’m out of place in my own den of pleasure—this isn’t what I want anymore.Part of me wants to drive home at top speed to Charlene, but another part of me is determined to stay. Am I trying to prove something to myself? Or to her?I keep my gaze forward as Sean eyes a woman who touches my hand, trying to get my attention. Sean swiftly pulls her out of the way, and grinning, shakes his head no. She stumbles away, shrugging the rejection off, and searches for someone else who is willing. I ignore it all as I think about Charlene, but I won’t leave. Being seen out and enjoying life is the best way to show my enemies that I’m still invincible.The moment I knew I was in love with Charlene , she changed the rules. I’m dazed by the quickness with which her mind changed about me. She wanted to be with me until she took a closer look at my life and remembered the truth.I don’t fit her image of the perfec
CharleneI tap on Regina’s bedroom door before going in, but I know she’s home, and more importantly, alone. I saw Atkins go into the garage moments after Alfredo, and he must have left in one of the Rovers. I keep telling Regina to stay away from him while ignoring her over-the-top eye rolls. I can only hope she’ll listen to my repeated warnings before Alfredo catches them. But I doubt she’ll listen to me.Regina is sound asleep on her bed on top of a pile of wrinkled clothes, paperback thrillers, and the enormous purple tote bag beside her. There’s hardly any room for her on the queen-sized bed.Her laptop is open, and the bright light from the movie playing casts an angelic glow over her face. A fluffy pillow is tucked under her cheek, and I smile as I watch her sleep. I smile at how messed up her room was , Her thick lashes press against her pink cheeks, and her plump lips are slightly parted as she breathes.I never had a nice little sister like this and I am glad I had Regina, I
At first, I thought it was to make sure I hadn’t run away, but one night, he touched me. He didn’t know I was awake, and his fingers grazed my cheek, brushing my hair back. I waited for him to climb into our bed, but after a few seconds, the door clicked shut and he was gone.Tonight, everything is off. I feel it deep in my gut that something is wrong. Alfredo isn’t petty—he doesn’t have time for that passive-aggressive nonsense. He wouldn’t stay out all night to vex me.No. Something is wrong.I open the door of our suite and listen to the movement below me. It sounds as if the whole house is up and my first thought is panic, but I fight it back.I belong to the Alvrado’s brotherhood now, no matter how hard I try to fight this , I promised Alfredo I’d look after affairs at home and I have to fulfil the promises to make him know I am not a weakling. I hurry back into the bedroom and dress appropriately like most wives of the brotherhood would dress, although it’s my first time doing t
We’ll wait in the panic room.” Alero stands inside the suite by a door I’ve never entered, though I knew it existed. I move away from him as if he wants to lock me away.I lift my chin, but my voice shakes. “I’ll wait in the spare bedroom.”Natasha silences Alero when he tries again. She guides him out of the suite and shuts the door. I know they won’t go far. I told the guards not to move my father, not out of spite, but because he’s too frail. And Regina decides to sit with me by the window. Her body isn’t sprawled across the straight-back chair. She sits upright, leaning toward the glass until her nose almost touches it. She’s not waiting for Alfredo but watching for Atkins.I’m scared Sara wasn’t lying.“You saw me, didn’t you?” I ask her. As Sara and I left the office earlier, I saw movement from the corner of my eye on the staircase. I didn’t dare turn to look, but whoever it was, they hurried out of sight.Regina stares out the window, not daring to turn her head, not even a li
The monster peeks out at me from the darkness. Alfredo has been angry before, but this is an unspeakable rage. Natasha wraps her hand around my upper arm, warning me to stay back, and Alero bravely stands beside me.Fear makes us bond quickly. We find solidarity in this moment as we put a safe distance between ourselves and my husband.Alfredo staggers toward us, his eyes narrowing as I stand frozen. “What happened here tonight?”“I was worried about you, that’s all,” I reply, my voice squeaking as I lie. “I was waiting up until you came home.”Natasha and Alero stick to my lie by keeping their mouths shut. Now isn’t the time to tell Alfredo that Sara was here. Or to ask why he’s alone. Where are the others? Where are Sean and Atkins?Oh God, will we see them again?I hold my breath, hoping Alfredo won’t stay like this and turn into someone I will hate forever. He doesn’t, but I hold off asking about the others. I’m willing to ask about Atkins for Regina’s sake, but I keep my mouth sh
I squirm out of his grip, sprint toward the house, and fling myself at the garage door before he can catch me. I yank at it and hurry inside but can’t shut it. Alfredo is standing in the way. He grabs my arm a bit too roughly. A moment of rage slips past his mask, reminding me of who he really is. And what he did to bring me here. I’m not what he wants. I’m what he had to take.“What’s wrong with you?” he growls, his gaze blazing across me as if I’m crazy.“You have nerve asking me that.” I do my best to stare him down though he towers over me. “You’re a criminal, a thief, a murderer. I’m not the one who has done anything wrong.”“I explained it to you …”“I don’t accept it; I don’t want to accept it.”His jaw tics. “What do I have to do, Charlene? I can’t do it if you don’t tell me.”My bottom lip trembles. “Since when is it my choice?”He shrugs his shoulders defensively before pulling me back into his arms. “It is now. So, what do I need to do? You know I can’t give my world up, bu
Make it clean,” I tell him. “No theatrics.” I hand him a stainless silver case, which he opens, revealing a new gun—a Glock similar to the one I own. It’s an obvious sign of favoritism after he saved Sean’s life.His stoic face finally shows emotion as his lips curve into a grin. “Consider it done, boss.”The shouting starts as the glasses are lifted into the air in honor of Atkins. But Sean and I head upstairs to the main floor to discuss business in the dining room. The first floor is empty except for guards and a skeleton staff. A table is set for us, but I doubt we will eat much. Well, I won’t, but Sean orders a porterhouse steak. He pulls off his sling again to eat with both hands.I raise an eyebrow at him as he swallows a mouthful of wine.“I wear the sling to gain sympathy from Natasha.” He explains.“Are you getting any?” I ask.“Not a bit.” He shrugs. “I think she wants my other arm to match this one.”“What else have you found out about Charlene mom’s murder case?”“Charlen