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Fuck them.

The sadness was extreme, my chest aching from doing nothing more than trying to breathe normally. Any sign I’d fallen into despair would send a signal I would be unable to recover from. Sadly, I needed time to regroup and grieve. I also needed some time to develop a plan, but who the hell in my organization could I trust?

“Go. Leave me,” I demanded, both raising and deepening my voice. After the soldiers glanced from one to the other, they started filing out one at a time. When the room had mostly emptied, only Emiliano and Antonio remained.

As soon as the door was closed, I slowly lowered my head. The quiet was deafening, something I hadn’t understood until this moment. There were at least fifty people in and around the grounds, staff members keeping the inner workings on a typicalschedule while hitmen walked the exterior of the estate, yet I’d never felt so lonely in my life.

My legs were heavy as I walked toward the set of doors leading to the outside. My father had loved his view of the fountain just outside. In the warm weather, he’d open them, allowing both fresh air and the sound of rippling water to penetrate the room. It was his calming mechanism.

“My father used to lock himself inside his office after a difficult day. He told me more than once only the sound of the fountain managed to ease his rage.” I unlocked the doors, taking my time opening them. The light breeze was chilly, but the breath of fresh air ate away at the horrible stench of blood remaining in my nose. I honestly wondered if the odor would ever completely leave.

I sensed Emiliano’s presence behind me while Antonio remained standing near the office door like a statue. He’d been with my father since I could remember, a tough man on the exterior, his horrible scars an indication of the brutality he’d been a part of. But he’d always been kind to me. What now? What should I expect from him after all these years? I’d left Barcelona a girl eager to visit another country and explore new things.

I’d returned a woman and now one with an entirely new purpose forced on me.

When Emiliano was right behind me, I took comfort in his large frame. “What am I going to do?” I whispered, uncertain I wanted Antonio to hear anything.

“You’re going to be your father’s daughter.”

He didn’t need to explain the statement. I knew exactly what he was insinuating. I had to be tougher than any man, highlighting savagery without feeling remorse. I’d need to change my personality, finding my inner resolve.

If I didn’t, I would place my remaining family in harm’s way. Not just from enemies who were waiting in the shadows like bloodthirsty vultures, but also from within. The next forty-eight hours would be a good indication of what I was facing.

“Overtures will begin tomorrow,” Antonio said as he dared walk closer.

“Overtures?” I tipped my head over my shoulder.

He took a few steps closer. I sensed his tension. “Yes, ma’am. Your father had many enemies. The news about his death has already leaked.”

“And I assume the news about my advancement will leak as well.” I had bitterness in my tone.

“Likely, ma’am. You’re an unknown, so be prepared. There could be those who try and feel you out.”

“Meaning what I’m willing to do. They’ll attempt to coerce me into giving them what rightfully belongs to me.” I laughed, although there was nothing funny.

“Yes,” Emiliano answered for him. “After that, violence will begin.”

Violence.

“I’m a trained negotiator, gentlemen. We shall see what happens.”

“Remember, Genevieve, the men involved in these organizations are all animals.” Antonio used my first name. On this night, I’d let it slide. Only on this night.

At least his statement was a decent reminder.

They were all animals and I was the fresh prey in town.

Time to bring out my claws.

As I stared at the fountain, praying for answers and for strength, I wondered if the girl craving to be in her father’s arms could become a ruthless leader.

Sleep had been impossible. Every time I’d closed my eyes, a vision of my father’s bullet-ridden body invaded my mind. It felt as if my skin was stained by his blood even though I’d taken a long, hot shower, scrubbing every inch of my skin until it was almost raw. Even so, a second shower was necessary for me to feel clean.

If that was even possible.

“What are we going to do, sissy?” Bella asked. She remained nestled in my arms, both of us unable to sleep. I’d heard her intense sobs and they’d nearly broken me.

The wind had increased, tossing branches against the window outside her bedroom. She was far too young to understand. She’d also been too young to remember when our mother had been killed.