Page 285 of Hate Mates

"The girl is innocent in this, and we don't kill defenseless women."

Even as Gustavo speaks, my father's gaze remains on me. "What do you think?"

"It's a bad idea. You can't kill one of the Patriarcas' daughters and get away with it. Ludovico will come for vengeance, andLa Alianzawill be on his side."

La Alianzais just that, the alliance of six organizations that coexist free of outwardly declared conflict — the Reyes, the Martes, Los Caballeros, La Sombra, La Muerte, and us, Los Cordero. We protect each other and enforce respect for each other with outsiders. The arrival of Soledad Marte in that box creates a problem and the possibility of a war we can't win.

So I continue. "It would be five against one. As ready for everything as we are, we don't stand a chance against their numbers. We are way smaller than the Martes as it is."

My father's smile is sudden and warm, like it never was when I played basketball and was told I could go pro. Or when I graduated from college at the top of my class.

The hairs prick at the back of my neck.This is not a good thing.

"Eres brillante y astuto, Dario. I knew you would see that killing the girl only complicates things." His smile widens.

"Thank you. What's the other choice?"

My father takes a sip of his coffee and hums, savoring it. "Ta bueno el cafécito. Luisa outdid herself with this one."

Not even the mention of the woman who has been my second mother can quell the burning starting in my chest. "Are you going to tell us?"

He nods. "It's really simple. If we want to avoid a war, the girl must tell her father she came to you freely."

I laugh. "You only say that because you don't know her. That woman is the most annoying creature. She thinks I'm beneath her. Haven't you heard how she's been breaking everything in the room upstairs? What makes you think she'll lie to her father for us?"

He looks to the side like he can see Soledad through the walls. "Because Ludovico and everyone understand that sometimes young people do irrational things in the name of love."

"Love? What are you talking about?"The old man finally lost it.

"You're going to marry the girl, Dario."

My stomach flops, and I can only blink at him. What he just said is so ridiculous that I start laughing. "Are you crazy? Me? Marry Straight-laced Sole? Don't bet your life on it."

"Dario, she's beautiful with a great body and so feisty. The way she fought you, without her clothes on... Admit you enjoyed it. Take it as a preview."

Heat surges up my face, and my hands clench into fists.There's no fucking way I'm marrying that holier-than-thou brat.I need to choose my words carefully and keep my voice down. "Father, you don't know what you're asking. Soledad and I have never seen eye to eye. We would kill each other."

He pffts. "You will not. Lots of marriages fight. Look at me and your mother. God rest her soul."

He made my mother's life hell, cheating on her with everycuerohe came across.

"No, thank you. Let's find another way."

The smile finally evaporates from his face. "There's no other way. I'm ordering you to do this. You want to be head of this family, right?" He doesn't give a chance to answer. "Heads of families don't get everything their way. We make sacrifices and from where I stand, this looks like a good one. You avoid a war, get a beautiful wife from a powerful family."

My hopes sink along with my stomach. I want to tell him to fuck off and shove our organization up his ass. He won't be my bossif I leave. I look at Gustavo whose face is as somber as mine. He looks down and then up. It's always been our signal for do what you need to. I got your back.

But there are too many lives at stake. I can't abandon our men and people to him.

"She hates me," I say.And I hate every inch of her.

Father chuckles, standing up from his chair. "Dario, you're handsome, thanks to your mother's genes. I'm sure you'll sweet talk her in no time. If not, plenty of women can help you cope. Who wouldn't want to fuck aPatriarcaand keep him happy."

And in that moment, I hate him more than I hate her. Unfortunately, he'sJefe—the boss— and I'm not. At least not yet.

Then the meaning of his words hit me.

He nods and smiles. "You'll get your wish, my son. I'll step aside and let you be thePatriarca de Los Cordero. "

---