Page 14 of Savage Hero

My legs feel rusted in place, but I force myself to move. Because as much as I’d like to put a bullet in this man’s fucking skull—I can’t. I have a duty to the cartel—to my father—and seizing control goes against everything I’ve been taught.

Sergio may never dare hit me again, but he grabs me by the balls every chance he gets andsqueezes.

“Ciro and Rafael are on a jet. They’ll be here in an hour. You two get Bryan ready to receive them.”

“He just said he needs to rest,” I growl.

“I won’t wear him out,” Sergio snaps. “But he’s well enough to make decisions, and until he isn’t, everything goes past him.”

I lift my chin, and Sergio gives me a cold smile. As much as I hate my uncle, he’s bound by the same honor as I am. Neither of us could bear the shame of dishonoring the cartel by getting ideas above our station.

“Is Liana coming?” Vito asks, already chipper even as he works his jaw.

Sergio’s gaze falls on him, and there’s a second where I’m sure he’ll storm across the room and beat his son again. But instead he lets out a rough chuckle and shakes his head. “Does that dick of yours still have any skin on it?”

With that, he leaves. Vito stands there for a second before turning to me. We’re past the point of being embarrassed for each other. He’s my cousin, and my best friend. Five years younger than me, and third in line for Capo, should anything happen to my father.

“Will you let me know when they arrive?” I ask Vito. “There’s shit I got to do.”

He nods, touches his face again. “That shit involve a girl with a fake mustache and the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen?” he murmurs, his eyes flickering to the door as if to make sure Sergio isn’t in earshot.

Of course he saw through Nyx’s disguise. He’s one of the smartest people I know. But for now, Vito’s the only one who knows she’s pretending to be something she’s not. All I have to do is show her to my father, he’ll say his thanks, and then I’ll get rid of her. And the baby.

Fuck…I forgot about the baby.

She can take it with her. Sort it out herself. It’s the least she can do if I’m going to let her walk.Although I’m not quite sure when I decided I wasn’t going to feed her to my dogs.

“Keep your mouth shut.”

“Keep your dick in your pants,” he shoots back.

I laugh. “That’s rich, coming from you.”

“Hey, I don’t sleep with the enemy. Ever.” He shakes his head, his dark eyes serious for once. “Nothing good can come of this, Savage. Nothing good.”

I don’t dignify that with a reply. I turn on my heel and I walk the fuck away. Else I might be tempted to add another mark on his other cheek—this time withmyfist.

Chapter Seven

Nyx

Thank God Princess is dozing. A maid is standing right outside the kitchen’s walk-in pantry where I’m currently nestled between two bags of potatoes and onions. All it’ll take is a single hiccup or murmur to out me.

The maid starts chatting to someone in Spanish, and I can only make out a word here or there. They could be discussing a soap opera or lunch plans or overthrowing the government—I have no idea.

They talk for a few minutes before moving off, whatever they came to fetch clinking and clanking in their direction as their voices fade away.

When I’m sure they’ve left, I slip out of the pantry and creep toward the double glass front doors. I hesitate when I see shadowy figures moving around outside and bite the inside of my lip as I start backing up.

Shit. Of course there’d be guards out there. I need to find another—

Hands close around my arms the same instant I walk into the warm, hard body standing behind me.

“Why do you smell like onions?” Caesar asks grumpily.

I don’t even bother struggling. With Princess in my arms, I can’t do much without risking hurting her. Why the hell didn’t I leave her behind?

Oh, right. Caesar was going to turn her into kibble.

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