While she didn’t, her breathing had yet to return to normal and she was still shaking like a leaf.

  “Talk to me. Can you hear what I’m saying?”

  She nodded. A small comfort.

  “Okay. We’re going to sit down. Alright?” I didn’t give her time to object, pulling us both down on the couch. She didn’t react to the blood or anything else. I was fearful she was catatonic. Fuck. This was the worst thing that could happen.

  Fortunately, the chair blocked a portion of the horrific view. As she started gasping for air, I knew she was moving from panic to shock. While it was a step in the right direction, I feared what would happen next.

  She dragged her tongue across her lip and that only angered me even more.

  “Let me see, baby.” I tilted her head, rubbing my thumb through the blood. My bride watched as I pushed my thumb into my mouth, sucking it clean.

  Finally, she sputtered, blinking furiously as she clung to me. “He’s… dead. Right?”

  “Yes. He’s dead. He hurt you. I’m so sorry. No one will ever hurt you again.”

  “Don’t… Don’t do that. You can’t… You can’t promise that won’t happen.” She was rubbing her hands on me and suddenly her eyes opened wide. “You’re bleeding. Oh, no!”

  “I’m fine. It’s just a scratch.”

  “No. You’re hurt. I need to fix it.” She tried to stand, but I stopped her.

  “You’re not going anywhere just yet. Take a breath.”

  “I can’t. I can’t breathe. I can’t…” Sobs spilled from her throat and she pressed her head against my chest.

  I cradled her head, swearing to whatever God that I would hunt down every person responsible. “Shush. Everything is okay.”

  “No, it’s not. It will never be.”

  To Genevieve’s credit, she hadn’t asked me any questions, nor had she attempted to stop my method of cleaning. I’d rolled the bastard in a blanket, tossing him into one of the closets. I’d made contact to a cleaning crew I’d used on rare occasions located in Madrid. They’d handle getting rid of the body and cleaning the room so even a forensics team would have difficulty finding a single speck of blood.

  I’d held her in the shower and allowed her to provide first aid. Thankfully, the cut on my forearm wasn’t that deep, but it ached like a son of a bitch. I was furious with my lack of planning, including not insisting I have soldiers with me.

  Having them trail along like lapdogs had seemed far too intrusive. Now I remained furious, so angry on the short flight home I hadn’t been able to remain in the seat.

  All the while, she’d stared out the window, not saying a goddamn word.

  What the hell was she supposed to say?

  What was I supposed to tell her?

  Admit that she was right and for an extended period of her life there would be no such thing as normalcy? That going out, even to dinner, would be risky? That she had to worry about Bella and that bringing Marco on as a soldier, no matter how confined I’d make his assignments, could get him killed?

  That wasn’t the news I wanted to deliver under any circumstances.

  Now on the way back to the goddamn castle, I sensed she was completely aware of everything that was going on.

  When she turned her head toward me, I braced for what was coming.

  “Who did you lose?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know what I mean, Jago. You lost someone special to you.”

  My hesitation only fueled the fury in her eyes.

  “A woman I thought I cared about. She betrayed me. I told you that.”

  “Yes, but there’s also someone else, someone much closer to you. A family member.”

  She wasn’t asking a question. It was as if she’d sensed my pain when I’d held her on the couch.

  The memories had become insufferable.

  My grip on the steering wheel was suddenly tighter. “What does it matter?”

  “Because that’s what shaped you. That’s what made you believe you’re not worthy of anything other than acts of violence and the anger you keep clasped around your heart.”

  My exhale was as tight as my chest felt. “My older brother.”

  “What happened?”

  “He was killed because of me.”

  She continued staring at me and I’d never felt as comfortable as I did at that moment.

  “He was to be married, but he wasn’t in love with the girl. I was.”

  “An arranged marriage.”

  “Yes. My father had insisted. It would bring two powerful families together in an alliance that would expand our power into two countries.”

  “What happened?”

  I shifted in the seat, glancing from the rearview mirror to both side mirrors. Kruz and five other soldiers had met us at the airport. So far, there hadn’t been any trouble on the drive, but I sensed it was only a matter of time. There was a price on Genevieve’s head. Fassi had determined her death was more important than taking her as a prisoner.

  To unravel me.

  She placed her hand on my thigh. “Trust me.”

  Gritting my teeth, I shook my head as the memories returned to the forefront of my mind. “After the betrayal years before, I’d shut down. I’d immersed myself in becoming the best soldier possible, always knowing my older brother would take the helm. I’d been happy feeling nothing but an insatiable desire to kill. Then Isabel appeared and everything changed, but I still wasn’t considered the right man to take over when my father retired or was killed.”

  “She cared about you.”

  “Yes. We fell in love. We tried to honor our family’s wishes, but she was so distraught. We talked. We spent time together. I finally convinced her to run away with me. I was barely nineteen years old and believed I could provide for her. She agreed. We planned the day. I was there waiting for her, excited and nervous.”

  “Did she show?” Genevieve asked, tremendous compassion in her voice.

  Exhaling, all I wanted to do was to block out the memory, but just by marrying Genevieve, the horrible act had returned fresh, as if it had just occurred. “Yes. So did my brother.”

  “Oh, shit.”

  “Yeah. We got into a fight, which was why we didn’t see two SUVs that appeared out of nowhere. Suddenly, there were gunshots. I had a choice. Save my brother or save Isabel.”

  “You chose Isabel.”

  I nodded. What more was there to say?

  “Your brother was killed.”

  “Yes.”

  “Your father blamed you.”

  A dark chuckle rose from my throat. “Yes.”

  “That’s why you have scars on your back. Not from the other woman. He wasn’t teaching you a lesson. He was punishing you for the loss of his firstborn son. Your brother.”

  As we neared the castle, two of the three SUVs keeping us secure rolled to the side of the entrance where they would remain until further notice. Only Kruz and another soldier trailed behind us as I drove up the hill.

  She lifted her head, staring at the castle briefly before unfastening her seatbelt and sliding closer.

  “Yes, Genevieve. I was punished in front of every soldier, chained inside a barn for thirty days. Thirty days of penance with little food or water, left in the dark to wallow in my sorrow. Thirty days when my brother had lost over thirty years of his life. Because of me.”

  “Not because of you, but because of monsters. They do exist.”

  “You’re right. And you’re looking at one.” I finally gazed into her eyes as I pulled close to the entrance.

  “No, I’m looking a man who’s endured far too much suffering for something he couldn’t control. What happened to Isabel?”

  “She was told I’d been killed. Ten days after the ordeal, she ate a bullet.”

  Genevieve’s eyes opened wide. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I wasn’t allowed to attend either Tadeo’s or Isabel’s funeral. And to this day, I’ve never been to either gravesite and I never will. Too much loss. Too many memories.”

  With the car in park, I killed the engine where I sat still staring at the cinderblock walls of the very prison I’d once believed would protect someone I might care about.

  Nothing would protect her. Not me. Not my army.

  And certainly not God.

  “Jago. You need to listen to me. You’re a good man. And I’m not going anywhere. I’m not Isabel.” She reached for the door handle, her head turned away. “I want you to know, I remember what I said last night and I meant every word.”

  CHAPTER 33

  Jago

  Treachery was the most dangerous weapon of all.

  At least that’s what I’d believed for years.

  I’d experienced it and used it, both ending tragically.

  Yet I’d learned a valuable lesson that was more painful that the thirty lashes that had scarred me for life.

  Love was even more dangerous.

  I stood off to the side, staring up at the sky as if doing so would provide the necessary answers. Not from God as he’d forsaken me long before. Perhaps from some hopeful other deity who might intervene. Maybe the same one who’d created the most incredible goddess in Spain.

  A smile almost formed on my lips. Genevieve was as startling today as she’d been the first time I’d… kissed her. Perhaps even more so. I felt a presence and bristled.

  “How is Genevieve?” Emiliano asked. I’d called a meeting of the men, which we held outside the castle. The last thing I wanted was for her to overhear someone else responsible for her father’s death had been captured. There was no understanding of how she’d react.

  Her calmness didn’t fool me. She was a lioness and would strike if given the opportunity.

  “She’s resting. As you might imagine, unnerved,” I told him. “Stay with her, Emiliano. Keep her protected. She’s… willful.”

  “You mean hardheaded,” he corrected. “You’re right. She cares about you.”

  “Which bothers you.”

  “Not my place to say and I know that. I only want her happy, Mr. Torres. She’s very special to me.”

  He was old enough to be her father, but I still felt a twinge of jealousy. Why? Because he’d managed to get close to her, when I had no skills to do so in a way that would satisfy her needs.

  “Whatever happens, make certain she and her family stay safe.”

  I could feel his eyes on me, but he remained silent.

  “She’s special to me as well. Go to her. You’re in charge of her protection.”

  “Yes, sir.” He walked away, but I could tell he had more to say. Now wasn’t the time. He’d called me sir, as if he believed I deserved the respect.

  Sir. I wasn’t certain I was owed the nod of respect at this point. I’d almost gotten her killed.

  As Navarro walked closer, I could tell he was eyeing Emiliano entirely differently than he’d done before. He waited until Genevieve’s bodyguard was out of range before finishing his approach.

  “What is it?” I asked and headed for one of the specially designed utility trucks used for off-road situations.

  “We have a mole.”

  “That much I’ve concluded. I need a list of everyone who knew the name of the hotel in Madrid.”

  “I’ll get that for you and shouldn’t take long. Emiliano is on it.”

  I took a deep breath before tossing the duffle bags I’d stuffed earlier into the backseat. “What are you insinuating, that Emiliano is our leak?”

  “Think about it. You know Genevieve told him every detail. She trusts him.”

  “Perhaps, but why bother waiting to destroy her until she arrived back home?” I threw Emiliano a look before he walked inside, finding it interesting he’d done the same thing to me. He’d stopped just before opening the door.

  “What good would it have done killing her in New York? I’m not saying he’s working alone, but he has more knowledge about the family operations than almost anyone since she’s placed her trust in him. There’s something about him that’s off. I don’t like it.”

  “Right now, I don’t want accusations made. However, finding the mole is as important as hunting and killing Fassi and Hamza Bata.”

  Navarro nodded several times. “Understood. I’m just suggesting you talk to your woman about keeping her mouth shut.”

  There was no real reason for his words to strike a negative chord, but they did. I was in his face in a flash, barely resisting wrapping my hand around his throat. “She is my wife, Navarro. I suggest you keep that in mind. As such, she deserves the same respect that I demand. Am I clear?” At least I’d managed to keep my voice down.

  He appeared both startled and angry but lowered his head. “I meant no disrespect, but she’s not used to our way of life any longer. You said so yourself.”

  “No, she is not, but she can hold her own and outsmarts most of our soldiers. I suggest you keep that in mind.”

  “Yes, sir.” His eyes flashed, which caused me to turn around. Genevieve was heading toward me with purpose in her step.

  Emiliano was following, but I waved him off. This wasn’t his battle to fight. At least not now.

  “Get the men ready to leave. I need answers and the fucker you caged will provide them one way or another.”

  “You got it, boss.”

  I took long strides toward her, my instincts unneeded for what her stubbornness had suggested she do.

  She was dressed as if ready for battle, wearing all black as she’d done before. Only this time she also wore a shoulder holster and her long hair had been braided, swinging back and forth as she stormed toward me. The look of conviction on her face was more amusing than annoying.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” I blurted out a little more aggressively than I’d intended.

  “Going with you. I heard about the asshole Navarro discovered.”

  “From whom?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “It does to me. We have a mole in our midst and if Emiliano told you⁠—”

  I wasn’t given a chance to finish explaining what I was getting at before she lifted her arm. The slight twitch from anger in the corner of her mouth had ticked first, which had barely allowed me to catch her wrist before she could crack her hand across my face.

  “Don’t you ever,” she hissed, “insinuate anything like that again about Emiliano. You have no idea how many times that man has saved me from assholes intending harm.”

  I expected her to add me to the list, but she didn’t.

  “I’m sorry. That’s not what I was saying. If you would have allowed me to finish, my lovely wife, you’d understand that yes, I’m concerned about the mole. He must be found. What really matters is that you and I are the same page. Whatever information is needed, we will tell each other.”

  “But you were planning on leaving without telling me.”

  “I was planning on doing so when I returned. I’m not trying to keep anything from you, Genevieve, but you went through several ordeals in a few days.”

  She pulled her hand away, shoring up her shoulders. “So have you and more in the past. I’ll tell you once again. I’m not fragile, Jago, at least not to the degree you think I am. I need to go with you. I must be seen as a full partner. I’m not gun shy and while I might not like the sight of blood, I won’t faint. You do what you need to do to the man your men have captured and I won’t be offended in the least. We need information.”

  I lifted my head, noticing we were being watched. Maybe scrutinized. She was my wife and half owner of a now extremely powerful organization, but I was still the drug lord. I should punish her, banish her from going with me.

  With anyone else, I would.

  Only things had changed.

  I’d changed.

  The jury was out whether it was for the better.

  “Fine, Genevieve. You can go, but you won’t like what you see and it will forever change you.”

  She closed the distance, placing her hand on my chest. Her heated breath could easily drive a man wild. “Don’t you think that’s already happened? I’ve heard everything you’ve said, and I am so thankful you want to protect me, but if we’re going to work together then that’s what we need to do. I’m no princess. I’m a warrior.”

  Genevieve

  Warrior.

  Maybe I’d overblown my abilities just a touch. Right now, I wasn’t certain I could be called anything but a disgusted, disturbed, angry, yet fearful woman.

  While my husband had obviously thought I was locked in a haze, I’d been trying to lay out the pieces of how the hell information about our hotel in Madrid had been leaked. Had I floated Emiliano’s name in my mind more than once?

  Yes.

  Had I hated myself for it every time?

  Oh, hell, yes.

  I’d gone through the ranks, including Antonio, Kruz, Navarro, and the other men I’d met. I’d also thought over a few more of my soldiers, but no one jumped to the top of the leader board. I kept repeating to myself that it didn’t matter because I wasn’t used to acts of betrayal and espionage or blackmail or whatever was going on.

  Whoever was betraying us had better be getting a shit load of money for his treacherous acts or there’d be nowhere he could hide where we wouldn’t find him.

  We.

  I’d all but insisted with the almost crack of my hand across Jago’s face that he take me with him.

  Now I wasn’t certain I wasn’t regretting my demand.

  But I held my own as the man Navarro and his soldiers had discovered was tossed on the concrete floor, immediately slumping over from the hard punch to the gut Jago had just issued.

  That had been round two or ten. I wasn’t certain. By the time we’d walked into the building, the Turk had been beaten more than once.

  But he still wasn’t talking.

  His eyes were swollen, one completely shut and the other barely allowing him to see what he was about to endure. At least four teeth had been punched from his mouth and his nose was misshapen.

  This certainly wasn’t anything like what I’d seen on satellite television and my father had never allowed me to watch a single interrogation.