Page 2 of Unhinged

“It’s impossible. No one has held Mexico City for years.”

“It’s not impossible, and the North American leader of the Estrada Cartel is ruthless in his pursuit of more.”

Adrik Volkov, who leads the Stateside operations of the Estrada Cartel, is Russian. When I heard the news, I was sure that Pablo Estrada had gone more insane than me. Adrik Volkov forced his hand and took out Pablo’s brother before forcing his niece into a marriage she didn’t want. The guy is almost as ruthless as Ileana herself, and I think it’s shaken her, something I’ve rarely seen.

“Perhaps,” I say, stalling as I consider my next words. “What do you want me do about it?”

“I need you to be my eyes and ears.” She stabs her fork into a tomato, the juices spraying everywhere. “As you know, I’m barred from entering the city.”

I know that, and for good fucking reason. “Oh, barred, you say? Barred like a cage or barred like a tune we forgot to play?” I tilt my head, grinning at her.

Ileana growls. “I don’t want any of your games or riddles this morning, Taren. Keep your mouth shut if you’ve got nothing constructive to say.”

I cut off my words abruptly, swallowing down the rising tide of resentment. Ileana may control my actions, but she could never control my thoughts. I feel the corners of my mouth twitch into a smirk. “Very well, Ileana.” My voice is a low purr, coated with feigned obedience I’ve mastered over the years. As she turns her attention to her food, my gaze hardens, and my smirk gives way to a grimace.

Her men call me the mad hatter, but there’s a method to my madness. You’ve got to be mad to put up with what I’ve endured. I can almost taste the bitter bile of hatred for the woman who stole my childhood.

My fingers tap an erratic rhythm on the table, mimicking an orchestra of chaotic thoughts playing in my head. The metallic clink of my rings against the wood echoes in the tense silence.

Ileana clears her throat, breaking the spell. “You’ll tell me everything that goes on in the city.” Her tone brooks no argument, but I can see the crackle of danger in her eyes. Something has rattled her, and she’s looking to regain control.

I nod once, a silent promise to carry out her orders. But as I get up from the table and approach the door, my mind is already churning with my plans. Plans to take back control of my life, no matter the cost.

2

ALICE

The waves crash against the shore as exotic birds chirping fill the air. I take a long sip of my margarita before reclining back on my sun bed and exhaling.

Paradise.

This vacation is exactly what I needed three weeks before the start of my senior year at Brown. It’ll be a lot of work to remain top of my class. For now, I can relax and unwind with my best friends.

"This is the life, isn't it?" Luna asks, flicking her ebony hair behind her.

I nod. "Yeah, where's Kali?"

She smirks and nods toward a small cove off the beach where she's wrapped in the arms of a hot Mexican guy.

I shake my head. "Typical Kali."

Blake is paddling on her surfboard but has complained that the waves aren't big enough since we arrived. They're perfect for me. I don't want to be swept under the ocean while trying to take a dip.

Luna chuckles, her green eyes twinkling in the midday sun. "Do you think Kali's new friend knows she can't speak Spanish?"

I laugh, "Probably not, but you know Kali, she'll communicate."

She nods, her gaze drifting back to the ocean. "We're going to miss these days. We'll be stuck in the library soon, buried under piles of books."

"Yeah, I know," I say, sighing, my eyes on the azure blue of the sea. "But for now, let's enjoy the sun, the sea, and the margaritas."

"Cheers to that." She clinks her glass against mine, and we both take a sip.

Blake comes out of the sea, her surfboard under her arm and beautiful golden hair in curls across her shoulders. It's hard to believe she's just been in the sea, as she looks like a fashion model. “Useless again."

Luna rolls her eyes. "Take a breath, will you? We're on vacation. It's about relaxation, not catching the biggest wave."

But Blake's always been a whirlwind of energy, her feet never quite touching the ground long enough to rest. It's part of her charm, but part of it is her ADHD – always needing to be on the move, always seeking the next rush of adrenaline. She shrugs, drops her board in the sand, and scans the horizon. "Fine. I'll go for a swim."

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