Page 171 of The Devil's Heir

The rest of his conversation with Jarek turns my stomach as I realize just how sick Carlos truly is. Is that why Carmen did the things she did to Jarek? That doesn't change how I feel about what she did, but I at least understand why.

"He'll call back. He needs to calm down so he can think straight. He's a young hot head," Greco says to Rossi after Jarek apparently hung up on him. "I gave him a tough choice. He'll choose his heir, of course. Then," Greco says gripping my jaw before adding, "This whore is ours to do with as we choose before disposing of her."

I'm shoved to my knees beside Jackson's bloody form; my hair still being pulled back while Greco snaps a picture of me with his phone. He's smirking the entire time he types out a message. I'm guessing he's sending it to Jarek, which will only infuriate the devil further. Greco is digging himself a deeper hole and doesn't even know it.

"Get her the fuck up," Greco orders.

I glance down at Jackson and find his eyes fixed on me. He gives me an apologetic look just before I'm yanked away from him. I'm devastated by the events that have taken place today. Poor Seth—killed while trying to warn us, and how Jackson must have felt seeing Seth gunned down. I know it will be forever burned into my memory.

Fran jumps to her feet and places herself between me and Greco.

"You will not touch her, Carlos!" Fran growls in his face.

"This is none of your business,Francesca," he replies pointedly.

"I will not allow you to do anything to Lily. I may not have been able to stop you the last time, but I'll be damned if I stand by and let it happen again. Lily is a good woman and doesn't deserve any of this."

I'm confused about what Fran is talking about, but I'm fearful of the danger she's putting herself in. I try to interject, but my hair is yanked on once again.

"Miss Sumner should have thought about that when she decided to whore herself out to Falcon," Greco states.

"When is this going to be over? Haven't you caused enough damage? Is the Falcon Empire that important to you that you would sell your soul to Satan himself time and time again?" Fran's voice rises a few octaves as her words get heated.

"You know nothing, Francesca. None of this concerns you…"

"She concerns me!" Fran yells as she points to me.

Greco's amused demeanor hardens as he straightens his spine.

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" Greco asks Fran.

"Yes! If youevercared about me, you will stop this once and for all. Enough people have died over this."

Whoa—what in the hell is Fran talking about?

Were these two lovers at one time? That would make sense as to why Greco hasn't threatened to kill my friend yet.

"I stopped caring the moment you left, Francesca."

"And why did I leave, Carlos? Say it!"

"Back… Off!" Greco orders through clenched teeth.

"No! I want you to say it! Own up to what you did—let them hear what kind of monster you really are! Tell them how you sacrificedoursister to those lowlifes who took her life, all because she was going to tell Falcon that you had his brother and sister-in-law killed!"

Wait, what? They're related? Fran and Carlos are brother and sister? Wow, I did not see that coming.

"You! You killed my parents?"

We all swing our gazes toward the doorway, and my heart soars when I see Jarek standing there, gun in hand, and pointing directly at Greco.

SEVENTY-FIVE

Jarek

Just as we're approaching the entrance to the secret tunnel, my phone buzzes, and I open the message. I wish I hadn't because it's a picture of Lily, her top torn in half, while two motherfuckers hold her down on her knees beside an injured Jackson. At least, I hope he's only injured.

Greco fucked up. He's given us their location, so now we know where to go. As much as I don't want anyone to see my pauper in her bra, I show my capos the picture so they know who to go for as soon as we get inside. Greco is mine, and Rossi, well, I'll let Joey handle him.