Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 170747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 683(@250wpm)___ 569(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 683(@250wpm)___ 569(@300wpm)
“That doesn’t help us with the army of Elite he will no doubt bring with him,” Carlos says, pushing away from the bookcase. “Do we have the men to handle this? We’ll need three of ours to every one of theirs. They’re like damn terminators.”
“I can sort men, but I’m asking you,” he looks at each of us, “as my family, if you want to get into this. I won’t drag you into a war, but I also have to remind you of the fact that this is the rock, and Nicholai having our port and causing a cartel war is the hard place.”
Samuel drags in a heavy breath, and he looks suddenly worn, tired, his usually put together self, fraying. The war with the Sinaloa, the Russians, the issues with Ricardo…it’s taken its toll on everyone, but Samuel is Rafael’s right hand. He’s the guy that has to shoulder the consequences of the decisions Rafael makes, and in Rafael’s absence, that’s surely been a heavy burden to bear. I’m all too aware of the fact that Rafe has probably made some unfavorable decisions for me. I’m scared that just as Nicholai may walk into a trap because he is blinded by Una, Rafael has led his cartel to destruction for me.
“Okay. I’m in,” Carlos says.
“We don’t have much choice, do we?” Samuel adds.
Rafael snaps his gaze to me. “Anna?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“It means working with Una.”
There’s that little pang of hurt in my chest again. I take it and force it down, reaching for the cool indifference that I’m so used to wearing. “Like I said, its just business, Rafe.”
His gaze holds mine for a beat longer. “Fine. Dismissed.” Samuel and Carlos leave the room, but just as I reach the door, Rafael’s hand wraps around my wrist, stopping me. “Not you.”
“If you want to talk about Una, I don’t want to talk about it.”
He kisses the back of my head. “Fine.”
I walk out of the room. It seems we’re about to dive into a fight with the Russians, and I honestly don’t know whether my own sister will be instrumental in our victory or our destruction.
50
Rafael
After calling Nero and going over his insane plan, I leave the office and make my way upstairs. The house is quiet aside from the guards silently standing at every exterior doorway. Ever since the Sinaloa upped their levels of violence, we’ve been on high alert with doubled guard rotations.
The bedroom is dark when I step inside, with only a slice of moonlight cutting through the room. Anna always sleeps with the balcony doors open. I think she likes the fresh air after so many years without it. I love when she wakes up in the morning, the sun dancing over her skin and that small smile on her lips. I go to the balcony doorway and take out a cigar, lighting it. The smoke sinks deep into my lungs, emitting that sweet, toxic burn. There I stand, smoking as I watch my little warrior sleep—my favorite pastime.
The sheets are tossed to the side, revealing her long, toned legs and the white lace underwear she wears. The moonlight plays through the golden strands of her hair, turning them silver, and for a second, she could be her sister. Except she’s not. On a sigh, I pinch the bridge of my nose. I need to get her away from here before Una brings the Russian down on my head. Literally. Nero’s plan is insane and if it goes wrong, we could all die. But not her. I can’t let her die. The thought of being separated from her has an icy cold fear settling into my gut, eating away at any sense of selflessness. It terrifies me. Losing her terrifies me. If I send her away, I might lose her. If I keep her here, I’m every bit as likely to seal her fate.
I flick my cigar over the edge of the balcony and move closer to the bed, stripping my pants and shirt as I go. As soon as I slide beneath the sheets, she’s rolling toward me like gravity, even in sleep. I wrap an arm around her, pulling her to my chest and inhaling her scent.
“Rafael?” she whispers.
“Yeah, baby?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I trail my fingers over her side.
“You’re a bad liar.” She kisses my chest. Fuck, she’s so sweet, so pure and innocent. I can’t allow her to be dragged into this shit. She’s suffered enough.
“Let’s not talk about it.” I roll on top of her, and she blinks up at me with eyes so utterly trusting. I brush my lips over hers, and a small sigh escapes her.
“Did you talk to Nero?”
“Uh huh.” I kiss her harder until all she can think of, all she can feel, is me. Her fingers rake through my hair, her body bowing beneath me. She’s so supple, so pliant under my hold. But only for me. She’s mine, and she’ll never belong to anyone else.