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

We both laugh, but the conversation lags as Regina slips deep into her thoughts and stares at the view outside the window. I stare at my menu again, not wanting to think about her heartache.My mind leads me back to Alfredo again as my gaze lands on a pair of young parents in a booth diagonal from ours. The father has dark hair like Alfredo, and the mother is a honey blonde. The father holds their adorable baby dressed in yellow as the little girl fusses and reaches for her mom.They look so happy and normal, and I don’t want to think about my decisions.There was a time I wanted a different life from the one I had. I wanted money so I wouldn’t have to grind away just to keep my family barely getting by.And now that I have money, all my heart wants is to return to my normal life and all its burdens.The bell on the door rings, and my stepmom cousin steps into the diner. He stands motionless for a moment. I’m uncertain if he’s checking the place out or letting the diners check him out

He glances over. “You could get out and wave it around in the air like the other idiots.”I shove the phone back into my pocket and glare at the traffic instead. “Charlene let Regina go off with t Keff,” I continue. “I don’t like it, but she told me a Rover would follow them.”“She’s finally learning,” replies Sean.I understand why she took Regina out. The girl hated me for a solid day, but now she and Atkins keeping a distance. I’m glad she has accepted my decision. Definitely quicker than Charlene would have.The girl is smart, brave, and willing to take a risk. And she is willing to be like us. I also want the best for Regina, but Charlene and I have different ideas on how to obtain it.“So,” After a pause, Sean asks. “Wwhy don’t you like Keff?”“She is not supposed to trust someone from her stepmom and he is a cop, I’ve learned to look under the surface. He’s too proud to help others without expecting something in return. I see it in his face. Those eyes are like that of a rat—wa

Alfredo.After so much thought, I thought Guillermo or Lance are the people my wife step cousin must be working for,I picked my gun and drove out of the house,I drove to Guillermo’s house, I hid my gun and ask that I want to see Guillermo, they asked why and I said I want to discuss business that it is urgent. I was let into the compound. I was going to ask of Regina when my mom stepped out.I got so mad that I didn’t know when I pull the trigger and shot both my mom and Guillermo, I was shocked to see my wife drove in, she must have trail me down here. I stood holding my gun, I hated the monster I had become. My wife rushes to the body, GUillermo men came to me then Sean and my men arrived. Both my men and my men only help to check both lifeless bodies to the hospital , the doctor said”there were dead on arrival”I was never myself when I was told both people were dead on arrival, I shiver and I didn't know when I fainted.Alfredo hasn’t left my side since I was admitted to the hosp

PaigeI race to the kitchen window, and Sonya runs out the back door, heading into the neighbor’s yard. Alfredo’s gun is pointed at her back, but he won’t do it.Please don’t do it. I watch her run away until she’s out of sight.Alfredo comes back into the house and refuses to look at me. He walks out into the living room.“Atkins!” he shouts.“No!” Regina yells asAtkins drags her off her bed.Regina fights hard, trying to kick him in the stomach. Atkins blocks each blow, his face impassive to her abuse. She turns on him savagely. “You’re a bunch of murderers! A gang of shitty murderers!” She has to stop fighting when Atkins catches her wrists in his hands. Regina stares at me with pleading eyes. “Charlene, help me.”I look down at the floor. “We can’t stay here, Regina,” I whisper.She wails as she’s led to the Rover by Atkins. He tries to help her into the back seat, but she knocks his hands away before getting in. Atkins broke her heart, but somehow, I think this is worse.Alfredo dr