savage organization in Europe. They were brutal, true monsters in every sense of the word. No one went up against heir enforcers. But my grandfather wasn’t just any man and he had a mission. Pablo took his time, picking off the bastards responsible one by one. From what I heard, he was cunning in his methods; feared by so many, others calling him a savior.”
“And the mafia never suspected who was behind the murders?”
“Oh, they were suspicious, but Pablo changed his tactics and there was never a single scrap of evidence left at any of the scenes. My father learned the importance of never trusting anyone as well as how to stay alive. He also made certain that he carried on in my father’s footsteps after Pablo’s death. Within four years, he’d worked his way up within the Galicia organization from nothing more than an errand boy to one of the Don’s most trusted enforcers.”
She remained quiet, the rise and fall of her chest rapid.
“On a dark and stormy night the day before Christmas, my father finished the final act of revenge, taking what had been taken from him as a small boy, the leader’s entire family. From that day on, he’s led the Galicia mafia.” Using rapid movements, I wrapped my fingers around the back of her neck, jerking her even closer. “As you can now see, this profession is in my blood.”
“But you could do anything you want to do in your life. As you said yourself, things are different now,” she whispered, her body rippling from tension.
“You’re right that I could make difference choices, perhaps becoming an attorney or even a doctor, but you see, my sweet, I’m very happy with my life. I was born and bred to be the next leader and I intend on making my father very proud.” I yanked her closer, our lips now centimeters apart.
“And what about your children? Is that you would want for them? Always worried about living or dying, the safety of anyone they give a damn about? Do you really want them to enter into a life of crime?”
A slight chuckle slipped from my mouth. “I have no plans to have children, Savannah, although I will protect the family I do have that are left.” I could almost taste her sweet lips, my longing to devour her once again spinning almost out of control.
“Does that mean some are gone?”
“I’m finished with the soul searching, Savannah. I promised to protect you. Nothing more. However, I will tell you this. Yes, I’ve lost several people close to me including my own brother, who was gunned down by soldiers working for the very man I had the pleasure of killing. If you wonder why it was such a pleasure, the bastards did so at a family picnic, slaughtering my brother in front of his own wife and children. That’s why. He died in my arms and there was nothing I could do about it. Nothing. The bastard has eluded our family for over a year, always hiding and playing games. It’s past time I even the score.”
The slight sigh she emitted was scattered, her eyes darting back and forth. “I’m so very sorry. What a terrible life to live.”
“My life is certainly better than some and family means everything. I wonder if that’s the same for you.”
She struggled to get out of my hold, hissing when I refused to let her go. “I am very sorry about your brother and I do understand your need for vengeance. Trust me, I’ve wanted to do the very same thing for a specific reason. However, you have no right to judge me.”
I relaxed my grip, every part of me struggling to make sense of the continued closeness I felt to her. “You’re right. I do not.”
“You’re afraid that these soldiers are going to track you down, hurt another member of your family. Right? More brothers? A sister?”
Just her scent alone was dragging me back into the moments we’d shared before. “Retaliation is the way of our world, Savannah. However, this time I will crush the remainder of the Los Charlines crime family. Then my beautiful Spain will be peaceful again. Yes, I have a younger brother. My mother and father are also alive. There is no one else.”
“What about love?” she struggled as he pressed her hand against my chest. “Don’t you want to fall in love with someone special?”
I rubbed my thumb across her lips, each swipe using more pressure. “There isn’t