Page 77 of Lethal Vengeance

The barrel slides across the tops of my breasts. “A piece of Julio and a piece of me, growing up together, just like we did. It’s more than that, though. Your loyalty to your sister is remarkable. The sheer determination and strength you’ve shown as you’ve hunted me is impressive. Your sister couldn’t hold a candle to you. Our child will be magnificent. A true heir to take over my empire.”

Shock renders me speechless. He’s certifiably insane. “Legacy.”

He nods. “Our legacy. You’ll have to give up your vengeance, but look at everything you gain in return. Family. A piece of your sister. Wealth. Your own child.” The gun glides down to my stomach.

I subtly slide my hand up to my chest, closer to my knife.

A soldier steps into the hallway. “Sir, we’ve detected movement in the garden.”

It hasn’t even been close to an hour. Something must have happened.

Armando puts the gun to my temple. “What have you done?”

I look at him in confusion. “Nothing, why?” When he doesn’t answer, I roll my eyes. “You know I work alone. I’m sure it’s just a cat or something.”

He snorts. “Lock her in Gabriel’s room. If anything happens, shoot them both.” His head dips, and he presses a kiss to my lips. “Think about my proposal. When I come back, I expect an answer.” He turns on his heel and strides down the hallway.

I scrub my hand across my lips to remove the feel of him.

The guard motions me into the room and locks the door.

Maria is fast asleep in the rocker. Gabriel’s sleeping in his bed.

I hurry over to him.

“Quinn.”

Whirling around, I see Cruz standing in the corner.

I quickly look at Maria.

“She’s sleeping. Temporarily,” he says, holding up a familiar silver box.

It’s the same one Zane had that day.

I leap forward and throw my arms around him. Holding on tightly, I desperately pull his quiet strength into me.

His hand cups the back of my head. “Do you want to leave?”

“No,” I whisper. “I just need a second.” Armando’s words are reverberating in my head.

“Take whatever you need,” he murmurs, pulling me in tighter.

“How is Raider? And Paulo? Did everything go okay?”

“We took out the men at the ranch. Paulo is supervising the removal of the horses. He’ll transport them to his ranch in Brazil. Raider’s here. Didn’t you see him earlier?”

It had been him. “I thought I was seeing things.”

“She’s going to be waking up soon. I can stay if you need me?” he offers.

I shake my head. “No, but can you ask Sterling to come up here as soon as possible?”

He taps his ear. “He can hear you. We’ve been speaking to you, but you haven’t responded. Where’s your earpiece?”

I dip my fingers into my cleavage. “I’d forgotten I had it.” Quickly slipping it in my ear, the murmurs of men getting into position reach me. “The attack is happening now, isn’t it?”

“A guard noticed one of the buses at the facility, so we had to move up the timeline,” he explains.