Page 66 of Brutal Monster
I oblige, lifting her from my shoulders and holding her horizontally in the water, letting her kick and splash while I keep a firm grip on her small body. Dario immediately demands the same from Digeo, not to be outdone.
As the children play, Inez returns to the water, moving closer to me, her body warm against mine. "Happy?" she asks quietly.
I look at our daughter, her face alight with joy, then at Inez—the woman who has been my partner in both blood and love for more than three years now. The woman who trusted me with her empire, her body, her heart.
"Yes," I answer simply, because with her, I don't need more words.
Her smile is quick and fierce, like everything about her. "Good. Because Camila just told me about a potential problem with our Vancouver route."
Of course. Even in paradise, business follows us. "How serious?"
"Nothing we can't handle," she says, her eyes tracking Natalia's movements in the water. "We'll discuss it later. For now?—"
"For now, we're on vacation," I finish, pulling her closer with my free arm.
She relaxes against me, a rare public display of affection. Three years ago, I would never have imagined this moment—standing in a pool in Mexico with our child, the leaders of three powerful families gathered peacefully around us, the weight of empire balanced perfectly between us.
"Mamá! Look!" Natalia has discovered that she can blow bubbles in the water, demonstrating her skill with enthusiastic splashing.
Inez claps, genuine delight on her face. "Wonderful,mija! Show Papá too!"
I turn my full attention to my daughter, pushing aside thoughts of Vancouver and business threats. Tonight, after the children are asleep, Inez and I will strategize, plan, and protect what we've built. We'll call in favors, deploy our forces, and ensure our empire remains secure.
But now, in this moment, I am simply a father watching his daughter learn to swim, with his wife by his side and allies—friends—around them. A different kind of power. A different kind of peace.
"Again, Papá! Again!" Natalia demands, and I spin her through the water, her laughter the sweetest sound I've ever known.
Diego raises his glass from the deck, catching my eye with a knowing smile. We've both traveled long roads to reach this place—roads paved with blood and betrayal and hard choices. Neither of us is a good man, not by any traditional measure. But perhaps we've built something good, something that might outlast us.
As the Caribbean sun begins its slow descent toward the horizon, casting golden light across the water, I hold my daughter close and watch my wife laugh with Camila. I think of the empires we've built, the alliances we've forged, the enemies we've vanquished.
And for now, just for this moment, it is enough.
THE END