Chapter 29
N avarro
They say life comes in cycles. For every death there is a birth. Perhaps in my case a rebirth.
I’d spent so much of my life being angry that I’d forgotten the kind of joy true happiness could bring.
As I stood in the background, watching a meeting taking place, I felt the tickle of a warm breeze, which reminded me I had something special waiting for me only a few miles away. The woman I’d fallen in love with.
If a man like me could be allowed to love after the brutality and violence that had been such a significant portion of my life. As of today, that wouldn’t change. I was battle ready, watching the proceedings as if this was a state of the union address.
But tomorrow was a different day.
Jago’s soldiers were hiding in plain sight, protection for the monumental meeting between powerful cartel leaders.
Farid Fassi and Rafael Torres.
This was nothing but a masterful game of chess, the final moves being made. We had something Fassi was willing to burn down Spain to get.
The formula.
The very compound that would turn rocks into gems.
Salvatore had that formula in his possession.
Or did he? Along for the exchange was the once brutal second in command of the Aldero Empire, Salvatore himself.
Offered up like a cheap doll in exchange for a cease in the fighting and a promise for a new alliance.
I leaned against the tree, scanning the perimeter to ensure Fassi hadn’t betrayed the meeting itself.
I’d wanted to laugh more than once, except two decades and hundreds of deaths had led to this moment.
While it wasn’t my place to condemn Rafael as he’d been led down a dangerous and false path years before, I was furious that lives at been placed at risk, including that of two beautiful, strong women.
I was also angry with Salvatore for the danger he’d placed his own daughters in.
He’d have his day in hell, penance for his actions. Plus, his actions could have cost him the love and respect of his two daughters.
Only time would tell, but I only imagine the kind of mental and emotional prison that would be.
The meeting location had been chosen for a reason, not only because it was away from prying eyes and innocent bystanders, but also because it was symbolic. How ironic a cemetery had been chosen.
This wasn’t my fight today. The honor belonged to Jago.
Not that I didn’t long to put a bullet in Fassi’s head.
I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t enjoy cutting his heart out with the knife my lovely bride to be never allowed to leave her possession.
It would be appropriate after everything the bastard had put her sister through.
However, there was such a thing as protocol and since I was still commander of the Torres regime, it was my job to maintain loyalty and respect to the man I worked for.
And someone I considered a close friend.
I stood stoically watching as Fassi and his men entered the cemetery, taking all the typical precautions. The lure had been brilliant in my opinion.
Salvatore stood with two guards holding him prisoner while Rafael waited, dressed in a new Armani suit, standing with six of his most trusted men.
It was impossible not to scowl as I watched the story unfold.
Yes, the anger remained, but at least for today, I was able to control it.
The two men talked, almost as if they were old friends.
Jago gave me a quick nod out of sight of anyone else.
I unbuttoned my jacket, unfastening the holster, prepared for round two.
Only when Fassi turned as if directing his men to kill Salvatore did Jago appear, firing off the first shot. Fassi went down immediately, the bullet hole visible in the middle of his forehead. It was easier than he deserved, but the end had begun.
I raced forward the moment the gunfire littered the quiet beautiful morning. As planned, the two soldiers holding Salvatore protected his body with theirs as I rushed toward them, grabbing Salvatore’s arm and immediately pulling him away from the melee. My goal was to keep the man alive.
“Keep your head down,” I told him, firing off a single shot as one of Fassi’s men realized what had happened and turned his weapon in our direction. Kruz flanked our side and together, we rushed Salvatore toward an awaiting SUV.
“Get him inside!” Kruz called.
As soon as Silvio and Benito had Salvatore inside, we spun around. The two of us worked in tandem, each snagging one of Fassi’s soldiers.
The attack was over within three minutes.
Then once again, the cemetery was quiet, only the sound of birds rushing away from the scene heard. Seconds later, I glanced up at the sky, marveling in the sight of a rainbow.
Maybe another sign I’d made the right decision.
“That was fast,” Kruz said from beside me.
“Exactly as planned and about goddamn time. I’m sick of this shit.”
“Well, you won’t need to deal with it for much longer. How are you going to stand not being involved?” Kruz looked at me with a grin on his face.
I’d decided to retire from the business. There was no joy in killing any longer, no need for unnecessary violence since the Torres family had all but gone legit. Jago had put into motion a full separation from Eduardo and his world.
As well as cutting all formal ties with his father.
“I’ll still be involved with the board of directors for the Morales-Torres Corporation.”
He chuckled. “And you’ll be eaten alive by Genevieve and Christine. I’m curious. Now that you’re going to marry, has Fallon been offered a position within the company?”
I took a deep breath. In the last three days, we’d talked about the future in moments of anger and pain, sadness and revelation. “I think she wants to concentrate on her art.”
“That’s why you’re purchasing that building in downtown Barcelona.”
I shot him a look and placed my finger across my lips. “Not a word. It’s a surprise.”
“You are head over heels in love with that woman. Aren’t you?”
“Let’s just say she somehow managed to rock my world.”
“I get it. I really do.”
We stood silently together as Jago talked with his father.
“Do you think they’ll ever reconcile?” he asked.
Shrugging, I had no idea what to say. “That’s for Jago to decide. He’s a tough man, but Genevieve will work on him.”
“Yeah, she’ll want her babies to have a grandfather.”
I glanced at him and laughed. “You’re kidding me.”
“Don’t say a word. She’s telling him tonight.”
With a death, came a life.
Secrets. Lies. Truths. Family.
For once, everything had become crystal clear.
“Congrats on getting married,” he added.
“Any tips since you’re an expert?” I turned toward him and smiled.
“Ha! Just do whatever it takes to keep her happy. That will make for a much better marriage.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He threw out his hand for a shake. “You’re a good man, Navarro. An excellent soldier. You’ll make a great husband and father.”
“We’ll see.” I accepted the gesture. It felt good to bury the hatchet for one last time.
As he backed away, I took a deep breath and took a short walk, struggling with everything that had occurred.
When I found the gravestones, I took a deep breath and knelt on the cool, wet grass.
While I wasn’t a religious man by any means, I gave the sign of the cross.
My brother and parents deserved an afterlife.
I’d foregone coming to visit my family years before. It had been too painful. But on this day, doing so felt right. An ending and a beginning.
And perhaps forgiveness.
I ran my finger across Lucian’s carved name, feeling the indentations in the stone as I allowed memories to surface once again.
“You taught me so much, Luc. One thing you always told me was to stop while I was ahead. I’m going to take your advice.
” A single tear found its way into my eye.
Instead of wiping it away, I allowed it to fall.
For once, the memories weren’t painful.
When I rose to my feet, I glanced at the rainbow again. It was time to deliver Salvatore to his daughters.
As I walked toward the SUV, I finally felt a moment of peace. It was past time to live my life.
With the woman I loved.
Fallon
Life was a gift. That much I’d learned over the years.
“Do you forgive him?” Brooke said from behind me.
Turning slightly, I measured my words. She’d asked me the same thing three times and I’d yet to answer her.
Was I angry with Papa for placing us in danger?
Of course I was. Did I understand more about the politics of crime syndicates?
I’d had a crash course in learning the ugly nuances, Navarro answering my dozens of questions.
Papa had felt he’d had no choice, his precious secret that we were alive discovered by a monster.
It had been obvious he’d done his best to try to keep us safe, protecting us from the past. “He’s our father, Brooke.
I’m sad and angry, hurt and unsure of the future for our relationship, but he will always be our father. I love him.”
She squeezed my shoulders. “As you told me so many times. Family is important. You deserve to be happy.”
“So do you.”
Her laugh brought tears to my eyes. To think she’d almost died because of greed had nearly destroyed me.
“I love it here, sis. I absolutely love it.”
I caught sight of Navarro out of the corner of my eye. Beside him was Silvio who was smiling and it wasn’t because of me. “You mean you adore the attention of one Spaniard named Silvio.”
“Well, he is very handsome. There’s just something about Spanish men.”
As Navarro motioned to three other soldiers to keep an eye on the park where we’d agreed to meet, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. “You’re absolutely right about that. Spanish men are to…”
“Die for?”
We both laughed while the crackle of electricity sweeping through me had nothing to do with the morning storm.
Navarro looked so handsome in his sport coat and dark shirt, the jacket unable to hide his gorgeous physique.
When he knew it was safe, he motioned for another soldier to guide my father down the grassy knoll toward us.
“You’re right,” I told her. “To die for.”
Navarro would die for me. Was the relationship perfect? Well, of course not, but we planned on taking our time. The fact he’d quit as commander of the powerful regime has startled me, but I’d sensed doing so had finally given him some peace.
Now it was time to find the joy in just existing.
Daddy had aged in the two weeks, the lines in his face deeper than before. He’d also lost at least fifteen pounds, but it was the haunted look in his eyes that troubled me the most.
When he was only a few feet away, he stopped, the uncertainty between the three of us tense.
Finally, sweet Brooke sighed, rushing toward our father. “Daddy. You’re safe.”
“Oh, baby girl,” he sobbed. “I’m so sorry. I am so very sorry.”
As the two of them hugged, I thought about Brooke’s question again. Could I forgive him? I wasn’t entirely certain, but I’d meant what I said. He was our father and had done his best to provide a normal life for his two children after a horrific tragedy.
Now it was time to create another life, one filled with hope and joy. I tipped my head, studying Navarro as he walked closer.
He only had eyes for me.
I loved him. There was no doubt in my mind. I’d made my peace with knowing that while I was born Gabriella Aldero, I’d been raised as Fallon Baldwin, daughter of Charles Baldwin. No amount of money or real estate could change who I’d become.
A mafia princess?
Maybe, but I’d use the title and the reference for the greater good of my family.
The most important lesson I’d learned was that the capacity to open my heart was limitless.
I loved Navarro. Some would say I was reacting to the caustic events or grabbing onto something to keep me tethered, but I knew better.
I’d finally managed to find the peace I’d been searching for my entire life.
In one man.
My soon to be husband.