Page 7 of Sex & Cigarettes

She finishes her bite of salad. “Eat. It’s not poisoned. I give you my word.”

“Your word isn’t shit to me. I don’t know you.”

“We have a common enemy. My brother is Raul Hernández. He’s gotten too power hungry. Taken things too far.” Her hand moves to the necklace that dips between her breasts. Twisting the cap off the golden vial she uses the small spoon attached to the end to snort yayyo. “Want some?”

“No thanks.” I don’t want anything clouding my judgment. I had a run in with her brother when he was chasing after Ainsley. I don’t want to eat her food, but I’m fuckin’ hungry. I bite into the juicy cheeseburger and she smiles. She’s gorgeous, but she’s no Coralie. No one compares to her no matter how hard I’ve tried in the past to replace her. “What about the prick?”

“He ordered the hit on an innocent woman. Killed her in cold blood all so he could kidnap the mother of your son.”

“My son?” My brows draw inward. “Ainsley’s not pregnant with my son. She’s my brother’s wife.”

“But the baby in her womb is yours. She doesn’t know. Abel made sure of that, but the truth always has a way of coming out. No?”

“Doesn’t matter. Ainsley married my brother. I won’t get in the way of that.” I may have given my brother shit the last time we spoke, but I’ve had a lot of time to think. Time enough to change my mind about what I want.

“Hmm. You’re not what I expected. Most men are territorial over what they consider their property.”

I dip my steak fries in ketchup. “Told you. She is no concern of mine. My brother can handle it.”

“He has her. My brother. He intends to kill yours and your unborn son.”

“What do you need me for?”

“You’re my wild card. I was hoping you’d react to the news the child is yours differently. I confess some of my motive for bringing you to Texas was purely selfish.”

I snort. “Abel. You wasted the fuel for the flight or whatever favor you used up to get me out. I knew the first time I introduced them he was a goner. I could see it in his eyes. His soul came alive. I stepped aside. Whatever you think you feel, or he felt.” I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter. In her he found everything he ever wanted. To one up me. To have his own club. Money. Power. Love.”

“I thought if you knew the truth, you’d fight for her.”

“I don’t love her. I hate that she’s in trouble, but my brother can handle a snake like Raul.”

“I have other ways of getting what I want from you. Luis.” She snaps her fingers.

He leaves wordlessly and returns with Coralie. Fucking hell. All color drains from my face. She doesn’t belong in my fucked up world, but I’ve marked her. Painted a target on her back.

“Now that’s the reaction I wanted to see.”

“Axel.” My ex who helped get me into this Goddamned mess runs toward me and drops into my lap. Her arms circle my neck, and I hug her tight, breathing her in.

“Easy.” I palm the back of her head, and she curls further into me.

“Unlike my brother. I’m not a monster. I believe in happy endings even if I won’t get the one I pictured. I’m in love with your brother, and I want mine dead before he can do anymore harm. I’ll inherit his empire the moment his heart stops beating as he has no living children.”

“What makes you think his men will be loyal to you?”

“Ask yourself what all men want?”

“You want me to kill him so what? You step into his shoes in the hope that Abel will leave his wife for you?”

“Unlike Ainsley, I don’t mind sharing.” She leans over and caresses the back of my hand before strumming her fingers down Coralie’s back. Coralie stiffens. Her hot breath fans along the base of my throat.

“If Abel and I united our kingdoms we’d be unstoppable.” This bitch is crazy.

“I know my brother. He’ll never give you what you want.”

“Maybe not but I’m betting you would.”

“I have no interest in Texas.”

---