Page 10 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

“Pretend to be knocked out. Go slack in my arms as I carry you upstairs,” I whisper.

Her eyebrow raises in a form of dramatic defiance. Then she throws a hand over her head, sighs theatrically, and flops backward. Raven-colored waves of hair cascade over my arm as her eyes flutter closed. My pulse spikes seeing that bruise on her neck. Instinctively, I pull her body closer to mine, shielding her with it.

Fucking Geraldo. He deserves every ounce of pain coming for him.

I make my way through the first floor and up the next set of stairs to the bedrooms. Bringing her to my room, I kick the door shut behind us and place her down on the bed.

“You are aterribleactress,” I chuckle.

Madison sits up on her elbows and looks around. “Who’s room is this?”

“Mine. This whole island is my private residence. ItwasBasilio’s. I inherited it when he was killed.”

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ears, she looks around, taking in the room. A slight blush stains her cheeks as she realizes she’s on my bed. I close the space between us and take a seat next to her. I expect her to flinch or at least back away. Instead, she lays down, laces her hands behind her head, and closes her eyes.

Such a brave little butterfly.She trusts me.

“Tell meeverything.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Her lips go up in the tiniest of smiles.

“When Killian executed the hit out on my sper—father, there was outrage amongst my syndicate. They couldn’t believe their perfect, sadistic leader was dead. They called for immediate retaliation. My uncle included. I suggested they wait to attack until the Tri-State Syndicate least expected it. They agreed—which held them off for a while, buying us some time. Selena and I met in secret after she and Killian got back together. We had to figure out a way to take out every last one of the men like my father. There are a handful of them. All perfectly content torturing innocents, women, and children.” I take a calming breath before continuing. Madison’s eyes are open now and laser-focused on me.

“My sister was one of them.” I clench my jaw at the cruel memories resurfacing.

“She suffered at the hands of that asshole one too many times. My sperm donor would send me out on assignments on the nights he needed to let off steam. BeingTheBone Breakerand all, I needed to uphold our reputation. Either follow orders or wake up to the barrel of a gun pressed to my head and a bullet in my skull. I couldn’t let that happen. I had to protect my mamá and sister. Mamá would take the beatings he dished out on thenights I wasn’t home to intervene. One night I arrived home from an assignment to Selena waiting for me on the front steps. Tears streamed down her face. My sorry excuse of a father had become belligerent drunk and was too rough on my mamá. He took it too far and killed her.”

Madison gasps and her eyes go wide. “Diego…”

I pat her bare leg before resting my hand there.She doesn’t seem to mind.

“It was that day I swore to my sister that I wouldneverbe anything like my father and that I would find a way to end his reign of terror. That’s when I contacted Killian. Telling him if he killed my father, I would find a way to get Selena back to him. They could reconnect. And he could once again take her as his bride. It would keep Selena safe and happy in New York—and away from the rest of my father’s men. My sister is so fucking in love with him, I knew she would easily agree to this. I could only hope to experience that kind of love one day.” I chance a quick look at Madison before continuing.

“The plan has always been for me to take over after his death. This syndicate was going to get a much-needed deep cleaning. I was going to rid it of all the darkness and turn over a new leaf. Geraldo wasn’t having it. Neither were the rest of his followers. They felt he deserved to continue my father’s legacy.”

Madison sits up and places her delicate hand over mine. “Why didn’t you just kill them yourself?”

I look down, basking in the softness of her touch. “I couldn’t risk it. If anyone found out that it was me, I’d be killed. And so would Selena for collaborating against our syndicate.”

“So…you waged a war with the Tri-State Syndicate so they will carry it out for you.”

“Does that make me the biggest pussy of all time? Not being the one to end their pathetic lives myself. Having other men do my dirty work.”

“No, it doesn’t. It makes sense. Killian and Liamwillkill themen involved because Geraldo took me. That will rid your syndicate of the vermin and leave an opening for you to take over. Then you can lead the rest in a new direction, all while protecting your sister.” I nod, hoping that she understands now.

“So, Selena was just acting before?” Her teeth clamp over her bottom lip and her brows come together.

A deep laugh escapes me. “She’s a better actress than you.”

She slaps me across my bicep, her eyes lingering on the scars that cover my body. Most are from Basilio. The rest are from my encounters asEl Rompe Huesos. I may be the best at my job, but that doesn’t mean I don’t receive resistance.

“Why wouldn’t you just ask Killian to help you again? Why risk so many lives, including your own? You know Killian and Liam won’t hesitate to kill you for your involvement.”

“Because he swore if he killed my father, it would be a one-time deal. A week after our arrangement, he called me back. Told me that the plans had changed. He agreed to still end Basilio, but he had met someone and couldn’t honor the Selena part of the deal.”

The beautiful little butterfly on my bed is processing everything I just said.

“So…you had Selena participate the night your men took me. You knew that I still meant something to Killian. That he would go to the ends of the world to get both Selena and me back.”

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