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As well as Genevieve.

She was constantly pushing me, hoping to gain more control. That would need to stop. My father would remind me there was no place for compassion or anyone daring to defy my commands. He’d provided brutal lessons so I’d never forget.

But he was right. Fassi wanted me to lash out as my reputation suggested. I couldn’t allow that to happen.

“Benito. Gather the top men. We leave in thirty minutes.”

“Yes, sir.”

After giving me another quick glance that highlighted his concern, Kruz headed toward the door, motioning the othermen to follow him. He knew when I needed silence and time to reflect. He also realized when I was at the point of losing my temper in a way that mistakes and poor decisions could be made. I couldn’t allow that to happen.

Even after all these years, the men feared me and they had every right. I was dangerous, reckless, and considered a threat to anyone who crossed me.

Genevieve said nothing else, but I could tell by the way she and Emiliano were studying each other that they had a perfected method of silent communication. It shouldn’t make me jealous, but it did.

Fuck this.

“Kruz. Wait.”

Kruz waited at the entrance while I approached. Genevieve watched me intently. “We could have a mole in our ranks. I don’t want anyone knowing about the location of the wedding or the reception who shouldn’t.”

“We’ll need expansive security.”

“Then choose wisely. They want what doesn’t belong to them.”

He thought about what I was saying. “Of course.” He knew how to check to ensure there wasn’t a traitor in our midst. “But how do you want to handle the situation?”

The situation. As if the answer was easy or a suitable recourse. I thought about everything both Genevieve and I had to lose. My typical tactics wouldn’t work in such a delicate situation. “We continue fighting but do so without unnecessary violence. We discover their resources. We crack an opening in their defenses and create uncertainty in their ranks. We disturb their flow, sothey question their methods of operation. In other words, we maintain patience.”

“Since when have you ever utilized patience,LordTorres?”

I gritted my teeth. “Since there’s more to lose. Don’t fail me, Kruz.”

My dictator eyed me cautiously. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Genevieve turned her head but said nothing.

After offering her a quiet nod, Kruz left the room, leaving me alone with Genevieve.

It was at that moment I realized with extreme clarity that my father had been right. There was no place in my world for relationships. Love was dangerous. And men like me didn’t deserve happy endings.

CHAPTER 25

Jago

Genevieve said nothing and I wasn’t used to her silence.

I hated it. I’d much prefer that she was berating me as she’d done so many times with a stark flair that I admired.

She did honor me by lifting her head, staring at me with the same hate-filled eyes I’d witnessed the first time we’d been together.

And the second.

And the third.

A smirk crossed my face as I thought about just how contentious our relationship truly was.

I yanked off my jacket. Suddenly, I felt suffocated even inside my own house. Thick walls. Tight security. Twenty soldiers surrounding the castle. Yet nothing seemed capable of keeping the enemy from creating destruction.