All Chapters of To Have and To Hold: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

EmilianoMy cousin nodded. “I’ll round up everyone and head south toward the warehouse.”“I need to get Papá, José, and Horace. We’ll meet you as soon as we can with the reinforcements. Don’t mention the famiglia until you’re all contained.”There was a rumble of discontent that el Patrόn hadn’t addressed them.“He will at the warehouse,” Nick reassured.After gathering my papá, José, and Horace, I took one last look at Jano’s house. The noise level had lessened as more and more soldiers made their way out of the inside gate. I turned to Horace. “Should you make one last check on Isabella?”“Everyone within those walls is safe. It’s those who are outside those walls that concern me.”With each of us driving our own vehicle, we set off for the private airport while the others made their way to the warehouse. Our caravan arrived at the exclusive small airport minutes before their plane was scheduled to land. This was the airport the Lucianos frequented when they came out west. Getting o

EmilianoBy the time my occupants and I made it to the stairs, jefe was inside. More of the famiglia soldiers followed. Once the last man entered the large room at the top, the guard closed the door, proceeded by the clicks as a series of locks engaged. The room was filled with picnic tables. There was enough space for over a hundred men. While not all the seats were filled, when I added the dozens of soldiers standing around the perimeter of the room, the count was close to one hundred, if not over.The soldiers’ expressions were unreadable as Jano stood to speak. The prelude of his speech was in Spanish, a reassuring gesture to the cartel members that he was responsible for each man here as well as families they have at home. He expounded upon his praises for the Roríguez cartel, our accomplishments, our alliance with the famiglia, and our future. As if a switch was turned, his volume rose, his expression darkened, and his words came faster.“What happened between the bratvas, what

IsabellaI took three deep breaths in Mia’s office before venturing out into the unknown. The first hall we went down led to double doors that opened to a library filled with books. There was an English and a Spanish section. Both contained everything from how-to books to fantasy and romance. Besides the shelves and books, the furnishings included multiple tall tables with chairs as well as couches and comfy chairs. As we stepped out to leave, a woman nearly ran into us.She was pretty in a nondescript way. Wearing blue jeans and a white tank top, she was easily ten years my senior, which didn’t make her old.“Liliana,” she said, surprised.“Isla,” Liliana replied. “Are you working in here today?”“Sí. I’m a little late. Tell Mia I’m sorry. After what happened at the club, it was hard to fall asleep.”Club.Is she one of the whores? No. She looks too normal.Liliana smiled. “I don’t know what happened, but you’re fine. I think other than us, you’re the first to arrive.” She turned to

EmilianoTwo of the residents came up to the front office after all the women went into the conference room with their lunches. Both residents had appointments out of the building that they’d scheduled. A look at Mia’s program confirmed the appointments were scheduled, but they would have to be missed. Other than here or the club, anyone connected with the Roríguez cartel was on lockdown. The news didn’t go over well. Nevertheless, they’re still safe within these walls.When we were alone again, José asked, “What’s the word on Kozlov’s men?”“They’re alive,” I replied. “For now.”Horace took a bite of his lunch. When his gaze met mine, he lowered his volume. “Fucking shame they weren’t telling the truth. El Patrόn could use them to get to Volkov.”That was the plan. It was better not to have that plan widely known. At this point, el Patrόn, Rei, Nick, Dante, Adrian, and I were the only people who would know that the two men ultimately survived Rei’s interrogation. The capo’s connectio

IsabellaJosé dropped Horace and me off at Mia’s. As soon as Viviana answered the door, Mia was there with Jorge in her arms.“You never called. How did your day go?”“Other than a minor issue of going into shock, it improved.” I grinned. “I should have your program up-to-date by the end of the day tomorrow.”“Tomorrow? Wow, you’re fantastic.”We walked together past el Patrόn’s closed office door, past the kitchen where Viviana was creating magical aromas, and finally out onto the pool deck. Mia placed Jorge in a colorful small fenced-in area with soft rubber flooring and enough toys for a toy store. Once he was content, she stood straight. “I’m worried about Liliana. What did you think?”“I think she’s amazing,” I answered honestly.Mia’s eyes opened wide. “Tell me more.”“She knows every woman’s name. They talk to her, confide in her, and go to her for help. And when she’s there, she’s a different person. She knows so much.” I lay back against the lounge chair, stretching out my le