Page 64 of Stolen Matrimony

“And how exactly do you do that? I mean, I know what you guys do, but I never understood how.”

I smirked. “It’s simple. My dear brother over there…” I pointed to Emmet. “…is a genius and created us a whole online portal where folks who know how submit requests, anonymously, and pay a shit load of money to have those requests fulfilled. Since neither parties identities are ever exposed, both remain protected.”

She leaned up, tapping her finger on the table. “So you guys just don’t take care of the shitty people, you take on kill requests too.”

I grinned. “Bingo, wifey.”

“And that particular information is sensitive and shouldn’t be given so carelessly,” Dad said.

“She’s my wife and?—”

“And I want in,” Cashlynn cut in. She stared at me.

“We don’t let women in the business,” Dad said.

“Nah, Pops, you got it wrong. Cashlynn isn’t a normal girl. Sis is as cutthroat as the rest of us,” Ezra interrupted.

“He’s not lying. I’ve seen it firsthand,” Lucas agreed.

“And regardless of if you don’t think women should be involved, you’re not in charge anymore. I’m just as much of an asset as your other sons.”

“Because you do the same thing as us.” Emmet spoke up, gaining our attention. “I’ve been wondering what it was about you that bothered me. I’ve dug into your life from the moment you were born. I read everything about your parents and the people they were wrapped up with. Which, by the way, they were into a lot of sick shit. Finding out everything I did, I realized that you were keeping who you really are hidden.”

“After what she did to Rhodes, I believe it,” Lucas said.

Cashlynn snorted and leaned back in her seat, staring at Emmet. He might not talk much but when he did he knew how to make an impact.

“You ever heard of The Queen of Hearts?” she asked with a raised brow.

Dad’s face pinched then his brows shot up to his hairline. “You’re not about to tell usyou’reThe Queen of Hearts,” River chimed in for the first time before Dad could.

Cashlynn smirked. “You said it, not me.”

“Well I be damned!” Ezra muttered. “I’ve heard about you, Wildfire. You’re very sought out.”

I cut my eyes toward my brother. “Cashlynn. Her name is Cashlynn.”

Ezra tossed his hands up and grinned.

“That’s because I’m great at what I do. I needed money and killing is what I was raised to do. The thing is, I know you guys make more than what I would make on my own, and I want in.”

“My money is now your money, so you don’t have to worry about that,” I noted.

“Your money isyourmoney. I’ve never been against making my own and I won’t start now.”

I chuckled at her stubbornness. My wife was prideful; that was clear. In time I planned to change that. Looking around the table I saw Dad still had a shocked expression on his face. I didn’t think I’d ever seen him speechless before.

“The Queen of Hearts is one of the most well-known assassins around. You’re telling me you’re her?”

“Thank you,” Cashlynn replied in Spanish instead of directly answering my dad’s question.

Dad pointed a glare at me. “And you knew this?”

I nodded. “I did and I’ve seen what she can do. I’m bringing her in.”

I could see it written all over his face. Dad wanted to protest, but instead he clenched his jaw and looked back at Cashlynn who had a satisfied expression on her face.

“Anyone got an objection?” I circled the table with my eyes.