Page 2 of Raphael

“Not a fan of heels?” I asked.

“Fuck no.”

I chuckled softly. I never expected a member of the McHale family to have such a foul mouth. Sailor McHale came from one of the oldest families in the States, with a long history of being prominent in American politics.

Straightening up, she glanced my way and our eyes met. Her blue eyes slammed into me, and for a moment, I drowned in them. They reminded me of the waters along the shores of Miami… a beautiful, clear blue along the edges that became darker the closer it drew to the pupil.

She was breathtaking.

Though I didn’t think Miss McHale felt the same attraction because her eyes widened in horror. It reminded me of the terror on her face when I caught one of my men touching her. Needless to say, he no longer walked this Earth.

She quickly schooled her expression.

“Thank you,” she murmured, glancing away from me.

“Is everything alright, Miss McHale?” If these damn agents took this long to get here, they were incompetent. She could have been dead already.

“Yes,” she answered before I even acknowledged the two incompetent morons.

Sailor took a step away from me, and to my surprise, she went back in the opposite direction. Towards the exit of the building. I watched as she hurried down the hallway, and I took a step to follow her when a massive explosion ripped through the building. Glass shattered everywhere and debris flew through the air. I watched as Sailor fell onto her knees. I had just enough time to run to her and cover her body with mine before another explosion rocked the building.

This attack was because of this woman. Because of what she had seen. I needed to get her the fuck out of here. Out of this city.

Her and my little brother.

“What’s happening?” she yelled above the sirens and alarms blaring through the courthouse, the fear clear in her voice. Her body tried to move beneath me, as she pushed away chunks of debris. "I have to get to my son." Fear taking a back seat to the urgency now in her voice.

"I can protect you and Gabriel," I gritted out, trying to keep her safe beneath me. I wasn't sure what to expect... another explosion, a round of gunfire, all fucking hell to break loose. Whatever was coming, I didn't want her harmed... I needed to protect her.

Transferring my weight to one side, I reached in my pocket and yanked free my cell phone. It was time to move.

The Tijuana Cartel had come for them.

ChapterOne

RAPHAEL

Eight Years Ago

The dance floor was crowded while gamblers swarmed the upper floors, ready to lose their money. It was the opening night of my newest club.

La Reina.

And so far, it had superseded openings of any of my other clubs, tenfold. Unfortunately, my day was ruined by thepinchecabrónfacing me. My piece of shit casino manager who thought it was a good idea to steal a shipment from me.

Never steal from any Santos.

The entire state of Florida knew better. Our reputation spoke volumes. My own reputation spoke for me. The Florida underground bowed to me. I owned all the cocaine distribution and over ninety percent of the casinos.Gambling.The only business I would never touch was human trafficking. Unlike my old man.

“Diablo…” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “It was a mistake.”

Fucking idiot. There was a reason everyone called me Diablo.

“Damn straight,” I told him calmly. “And I don’t give second chances. Fool me once and all that.”

A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. Pedro Morreno. He used to be dependable. Now he walked around with white powder on his nose.

“I’ll never do it again,” he pleaded.