Page 21 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

My little butterfly is a goddamnMonarch. Her power was unveiled during the transformations she was forced to endure. Good luck to anyone who mistakes her delicate beauty for weakness.

Because under those beautiful wings is poison.

A poison so strong, that as it makes its way through your bloodstream, your heart will pick a fight with your ribcage. Eventually, the incessant beating will slow down. And as it starts to skip a beat you will feel like you’re dying.You will lay there as it consumes you, admiring the beautiful creature before you. The one you selfishly took down with you because you had to have a taste of her.

I let out a shaky breath. I’m such a fucking selfish bastard for putting her through this. I could let her go right now. Leave her here where she belongs and sort out my uncle on my own. Now that I’ve held her in my hands and felt the power beneath her skin, it’s damn near impossible to do that.

She is sacrificing everything to help others. Her happiness, her safety…herrelationship.

I can’t let her.

“Change of plans,Mariposita. You’re staying here.”

Her head snaps up as she narrows her eyes at me. “No. I agreed to help you, and I will. Everyone I love is safe now. We can finish this.”

“It’s not up for negotiation,” I stand, slapping my palms to the table and leaning over it.

She stands, mirroring me. “You’ll end up getting yourself killed. And all of this would have been for nothing.”

Liam slams his chair back and looms over the table. His eyes darting back and forth between the two of us. “For the love of God, doessomeonewant to explain what the fuck is going on?”

With a frustrated sigh, I sit back down. Madison does the same, followed by Liam.

“As you all know, my father was a ruthless, sadistic son of a bitch. He killed my mother with his bare hands and would beat my sister and me every chance he got. I protected them as often as I could, but my father always found a way to conveniently keep me away when he was in the mood for a fix.” There are a few gasps and some quiet curses released around the room. Sel’s face falls with the horrific memories being dredged up.

“Killian and I made an agreement last year. He would kill my father if I got Selena and him to reunite, ultimately keeping her safe and happy. This was before Killian had met Madison. A week later Killian had called me to let me know he met someone and that he would still kill my father—but Selena was no longer part of the agreement.”

Killian looks at Selena with remorse, reaching out for her hand across the table. She places her hand in his and gives it a gentle squeeze.

“It’s okay, Kil.”

“When my father was shot and killed last year, I knew it was Killian who had been responsible. I was ecstatic, knowing that I would now be able to take over and lead the Cuban-Miami Syndicate in a new direction. My asshole of an uncle,Geraldo, had other plans. Ultimately, deciding he would be the one to take over. His equally disgusting followers all agreed. I couldn’t let that man continue in my father’s footsteps.” Everyone at the table looks relaxed at this point which is … promising.

I look to my sister, who nods, encouraging me to continue. “After Selena had…met up…with Killian the night of Madison and Liam’s accident, she came to see me at my hotel. I was on assignment in New York, paying a visit to a client. She told me everything about Chase and Alan. The bastard had called me to tell me about the accident. He wanted Madison’s blood for the death of his son. Because of his association with Geraldo, I knew Icould work this to my advantage. I told him to break into your home and wait there until Selena arrived. Then andonly then, would he be allowed to take Madison and bring her to me.” Madison inhales sharply, looking royally pissed I didn’t tell her this part.

“Selena was under my instructions to head back to your house with the story that she didn’t feel safe in New York now that Alan was still out there. Which in her defense wasn’t a fucking lie. That bastard is just as bad as my uncle when it comes to women. I knew he wouldn’t hurt her in your home, because too much was at stake in retrieving Madison. Alan was under strict instructions. If he so much as touched even a hair on Madison’s head, he would meetEl Rompe Huesosand then get a one-way ticket to see his son.”

“So Alan was in my fucking home because of you? After everything I did to rid this world of your father?” Killian’s voice bellows around the room.Ahh. Spoke too soon.

“Let him continue, Kil. I want to hear the rest,” Madison glares at me. Killian relaxes a fraction, sits back in his chair, and nods his head.

“As you know, Alan was successful at breaking in. He met Selena in the guest room. By that time you had arrived. He was caught off guard, using Selena as a bargaining chip to get out alive. And from what I understand, you shot him dead. Which changed my plans. I needed to get Madison some other way. I left Selena out of the rest of my plans. Lying to her and telling her that we would find another way to get you to help us kill Geraldo. I didn’t tell Selena my new plan until we were on the jet home with Madison.”

“And I was fucking livid, Maddy. You have to believe me. My brother wanted to kill Geraldo and his followers himself. And he would have, but he was protecting me. He knew that if anyone found out the truth, not only would he not be trustworthy as the next leader, but we would both find ourselves dead.”

“So you took Madison so that we could do it for you?” Liam interjects.

“Everything became easier when Killian placed everyone on lockdown. He and Selena reconnected and she befriended Madison. None of that was fake.” I glance up at everyone and they all seem to accept that Selena is mostly innocent in all this.Good.

“I would catch up with her like any brother would, checking in on her here and there. Everything she unknowingly told me, gave me hope that this plan would be successful. The original plan was to grab my sister and Madison and stage it as retaliation. I knew you and Liam would do everything and anything to get them back. The goal was to keep Madison and Selena together—an extended sleepover, if you will. She was never meant to see that filthy dungeon.”

Liam huffs angrily, clenching his fist and slamming it against the table.See what I’m saying about hot and cold?Madison’s plate of food leaps half an inch off the wood surface.

“Then whythe fuckwas she there?”

“Because Geraldo caught wind of it and made an appearance. He was never supposed to be involved. I just needed you tothinkGeraldo had her so you would come down and kill any motherfucker who took part in this.”

“And we will. Now that you forced our fucking hand. Have no doubt about that. But why shouldn’t we killyou?” Killian hisses.

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