Page 36 of New Year with the Cartel

"But Rodriguez—" Jake started.

"Will be dealt with," I cut him off. "The necklace, the territory disputes, all of it. But on my terms, in my way."

"And what way is that?" Another voice challenged.

"With minimal bloodshed," I replied, surprising them. "With strategy rather than force. And I'll be handling it personally."

Gustall tensed beside me, but didn't protest. The trust in his eyes when I glanced at him made something warm unfurl in my chest. His presence was comforting. I couldn't be doing this without him.

"You're all free to go," I continued. "Take whatever severance you need to start over. Those who want to stay can help rebuild something legitimate. Something better."

"Better?" Jake scoffed. "What's better than our cartel? This is like a family to me."

"Being alive," Gustall spoke up, his voice clear and strong. "Being free to love, to have families, to walk in the sun without looking over your shoulders."

I watched their faces as his words sank in. Some looked thoughtful, others resistant. Change was never easy, especially for men who'd known nothing but this life.

"The boss I knew wouldn't talk like this," someone said. "Wouldn't give up everything we've built."

"The boss you knew was wrong," I replied right away. "About many things, in fact." I looked at each of them in turn. "I'm not asking you to understand. I'm giving you a choice—something I haven't been very good at doing before."

"And Rodriguez?" Jake pressed. "You really think you can handle him alone?"

"I know I can do it," I answered, looking at Gustall. "With my mate, I know I can. The necklace's power comes from trust and partnership, not control. It's time I proved I understand that."

The room fell silent again, but this time it was different. Contemplative rather than hostile.

"You're really doing this," Jake said finally. "Throwing everything away for... what? Love?"

"For my family," I corrected. "For a future that doesn't end in a lonely death. For the chance to be something more than just another crime lord who died for his pride. Even if you don't understand now, you will soon."

Gustall stood then, his pregnancy making the movement graceful rather than awkward. "Anyone who stays will be part of building something new. Something their own children can be proud of."

I watched as his words hit home, especially with the men who had families of their own. The ones who understood what I was finally beginning to learn.

"Take twenty-four hours," I told them. "Think about what you want your future to look like. Those who choose to leave will be taken care of. Those who stay..." I smiled slightly. "Well, we have work to do."

As they filed out, discussing among themselves, Gustall turned to me. "You're really going after Rodriguez alone?"

"It's the only way," I murmured. "To prove to myself, to everyone, that I can handle things differently. That I can be different."

"I trust you," he said, and the words meant more than any declaration of love. "Just... come back to us."

I pulled him close, feeling our child move between us. "I'm not my uncle," I promised. "I choose family. I choose you. Both of you. So, you can be damn sure I'm going to come back."

"I look at you and see you're telling me the truth. I know you're going to be back," he whispered.

Holding him with my eyes, feeling our child kick against my hand, I knew I'd made the right choice. The cartel, the power, the control—none of it meant anything compared to this. Compared to them.

Rodriguez and the necklace could wait until tomorrow. Tonight was for holding my mate, for feeling our child move, for knowing that, unlike my uncle, I wouldn't die alone.

I'd chosen differently. Chosen better.

And for the first time in my life, I wasn't afraid of the future.

Chapter 19

Gustall

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