Page 42 of Victorious Vice

I don’t answer.

She can probably see it written all over my face anyway. Because I do know what real love is. I know what it feels like to love a person so much that it hurts, to love a person so much that you’ll leave her to keep her safe.

To love a person so much that you’ll kill for her.

I sigh.

Fuck.

Am I actually considering this? A marriage in name only, just to get her out of here. Away from her father. Away from the men he forces her to service.

I don’t know what the marriage laws are in Colombia, but with her father’s permission, we could probably tie the knot here. I could take her home, get the marriage annulled, and once she’s eighteen, she can apply for legal status.

I don’t want to marry her. There’s only one woman I want to marry, and I can’t have her.

But if we can strike a deal with Agudelo, get Mario involved, break my engagement to Belinda…

Will Raven understand?

Then I nearly laugh at the absurdity of the thought.

I left Raven. I left her for her own good. I can’t be with her, so it really doesn’t matter who I marry.

All that matters is that I take down my family. Put an end to this legacy built on blood and money.

If I can help Daniela in the process, I should do so.

Just as I’ll help Belinda if I can. Get her removed from her father’s home.

But would that be a disservice? That little girl has everything. What if she got stuck in some foster home where she’s mistreated, perhaps hurt in a more horrific way? Or worse, stuck in a group home where she gets no attention at all?

She needs to study music. Pursue her gift.

I draw in a breath. I make a choice. Because really, what other choice is there? I’m not some knight in shining armor. Far from it. Hell, I’ve taken two lives, and I’ll take more before I’m done.

The voice of the old Tibetan monk haunts me.

Go now, with the strength of your spirit. Embrace the unknown. Continue your journey, and live your life to its fullest potential.

What good am I if I don’t help those who need helping? How could I live with myself? This must be part of my journey. Part of why I’m here in Colombia.

The deal with Agudelo is not the main reason. I can get that wrapped up in the next couple weeks, and Mario, Agudelo, and Vega will all be content.

I’ve learned that Vega—or at least someone claiming to be him—is not dead and buried, and I’ve learned that Austin Bellamy is involved in some dirty dealings. I’ve learned that the old woman in that photo factors into all of this somehow.

And I’ve learned that I can’t resist a damsel in distress.

All part of the journey. All part of living up to my potential.

I’ll save Daniela.

I’ll save Belinda.

And somehow I’m going to get back to Raven and save her too.

15

RAVEN

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