Chapter 41
Zane begins the long trek up my driveway just after ten p.m. The entire ordeal took longer than I’d planned.
Hopefully, Darcy isn’t asleep. But what’s most important is she’s safe and she’ll remain so.
With the help of Killian, Xander located and eliminated Gabriel before he made it back to Serena’s.
And he collected Gabriel’s camera and cellphone so that Darcy’s identity can remain protected and her honor intact.
As for my meeting with Santiago Garcia, well, I don’t like him, and I don’t trust him.
It turns my stomach to do business with him knowing he’s targeting and using vulnerable women.
I didn’t ask for specifics. Perhaps, I don’t want to know so long as he doesn’t try it again in the states. That was the agreement.
I gave him the details of Serena’s estate and had Killian override her security system.
In exchange for hers and her detail’s death before the stroke of midnight and a promise that he’ll keep his ass in Mexico, I have made him a king and pledged to honor the alliance formerly held by Serena and my organization.
He wasn’t exactly thrilled. He’s an arrogant, ambitious bull and doesn’t take kindly to being told what to do.
But he’s just smart enough to know this is his best opportunity to rule the cartels in Mexico.
I expect confirmation of Serena’s death within the next two hours.
And, if something falls through, Milo still has eyes on Serafina.
The threat of her death will be enough to get me, Darcy, and the guys out of Mexico alive before Serena tries to retaliate.
As the villa comes into view, I take a deep breath.
Honestly, I don’t know how I feel at this moment.
When Alister abolished the Mafia and handed things over to Josephine Cullen and Aidan Cross, all of this was supposed to end.
Well, eventually. I was tasked with several things upon his departure.
Perhaps I’m still cleaning up the mess after all, seeing as Santiago wouldn’t have dared cross into our territory if Alister was still in charge.
And it’s not necessarily because of a lack of confidence in Aidan.
The world just doesn’t know him yet. They don’t know if he is to be feared or challenged. But they’ll learn and so will he.
Before Ana’s abduction, her brother, Aidan, was much like Santiago, blinded by pride and power and unwilling to see the bigger picture.
Ana’s abduction and rape was a direct retaliation for his actions.
It was a terrible way to learn a lesson, but it had a lasting impression.
He’s doing better. Well enough to manage Santiago Garcia?
I’m not sure yet. But I know I don’t want to do it.
I want out. I may not know exactly what that looks like right now, but I can see my bigger picture.
And, if I don’t make a change, it isn’t good.
Though what I told Damon earlier this year is still true.
It’s important to maintain our connections, to keep our ear to the ground, and to honor our alliances.
But do I have to be the one to do it? Honestly, I don’t think so.
Damon is ready to step up. That is, if he wants to.
With Ana in his life, he may choose to withdraw his services as well.
I know Darcy and Delilah are big reasons for me to walk away.
Though, surprisingly, not the biggest reasons.
I don’t like who this world, this business, forces me to be.
I don’t like threatening innocent girls, however necessary.
I don’t like negotiating with heartless men who prey on women.
I don’t enjoy having people killed or killing.
And I don’t enjoy having the ones I love threatened.
All these things force me to tap into a dark side of myself that I don’t want to.
I want to be the Gio who wakes up to Darcy every morning, who enjoys the simple things like a glass of bourbon, a workout that doesn’t feel like I’m training for battle, and reading romance novels in bed with the woman I love.
I want to be the Gio who helps Delilah with her math and makes Lemon Blueberry muffins on the weekends.
Some would call it soft, but I call it simple.
Perhaps that’s what love does to you. It makes you crave the simple life and the happiest version of yourself.
As Zane parks the car, the two of us sit in silence.
It’s as if he can sense my restless thoughts.
He’s young and far too like Damon to take over my duties.
But he and his brother as a team—one with a calm enough manner to negotiate, the other with enough skill, mischievousness, and muscle to make their enemies crumble—now, that could work.
And, with Killian and Milo at their flank, there would be enough brains and manpower to assist Aidan’s rule over the former Amato territories and allow both Damon and I our freedom, the same freedom Alister has already sought for himself.
Still, it seems like such a foreign concept.
Our origins come not from a desire to conduct illegal activity, to be feared, or even powerful.
The origins of the Mafia and, specifically, the Amato family organization, come from a need to protect ourselves, our blood.
The Blood Oath we take is a lifetime commitment.
But just because I would remove myself from the front-lines doesn’t mean I neglect or abandon my oath, my blood, my family.
I think there’s a way forward for all of us, a new path to freedom for those who want it and a path to power for those willing to take on the burden.
Perhaps I’ve been the chess master long enough. One last game and I’m out.
“You okay, boss?” Zane asks then. I nod and reach for my phone.
“Making moves, as always.” I text the unlisted, untraceable number at the top of my contact’s list. It’s been nearly a year, and I’ve only used it twice.
Once to make sure he got settled. The other to inform him of his sister Sophia’s wedding.
Now it’s time to tell Alister to come home. We need to figure this out together.
Once the text is sent, I feel an unusual sense of relief that comes with clarity.
“Keep in touch with Milo and Xander and relay the details of the evening to Damon. He’ll want to know.
Other than that, please remain scarce for the rest of the trip.
I don’t know when I’ll be back here, and I have much to show Darcy. ”
“Yes, sir. Besides, your chef will keep me occupied. She made quite the impression earlier.”
I shake my head. “There’s a strictly enforced no edible surfaces rule. I don’t want to taste your sweat or anything else in my breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Zane laughs. “Who knew you were funny? I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“I’m not joking.”