Page 39 of Unforgiving Queen

I grabbed Raul and positioned him on his knees, facing his subordinate. Then to drive my point home, I sliced his ear off in one move.

“This is just the beginning,” I drawled, blood spurting from his wound, staining his clothes and mine. It must’ve been exactly the incentive his man needed though.

“The big boss wanted us to get your product and the girl.” The coward breathed heavily.

I stilled, feeling Dante’s gaze on me, but I ignored him. The dark circles surrounding my eyes portrayed how little I’d been sleeping. Every inch of me revolted at the idea of being anywhere in this world whereshewasn’t. Even in my dreams. The thought of closing my eyes and drifting off to sleep terrified the fuck out of me. Neither scenario made me feel better—not dreaming about her or dreaming about her.

My brother’s eyes were shining like a madman’s, ready to play and torture. He wasn’t far off the edge, prepared to lose his own shit, although it remained to be seen why.

“What girl?” My jaw tightened, the words coiling up alongside my anger. The fucker actually pissed himself.

“Shut the fuck up,” Raul screamed, panting and jerking against the hold Ghost had on him. “Shut. Up.”

“I don’t know who she is.”

I retrieved my phone, scrolling to the only photo I had of Reina. I’d snapped it while she was staring at the floating lanterns, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

“This girl?” He stared at the picture and the flicker of recognition in his eyes was answer enough.

His eyes darted to Raul while trying to fight Dante’s grip. I needed him to verbally confirm even though I already knew the answer.

“Don’t fucking look at him.” I clutched his head and made him meet my eyes. “I’ll ask you one last time. Is that the girl?”

“Y-yes.”

I sliced his throat in one swift motion. Blood bathed the floor and my clothing, splattering my freshly polished shoes. Gurgling sounds filled the space but my rage was louder. Next I shoved a knife into Raul’s chest, right where his black heart resided, and twisted it.

“I’m going to send you back to Perez and your family all carved out.” I leaned down and stared at his beady black eyes. “You messed with the wrong girl. I’m going to wipe out every single one of you and ensure none of you ever roam the world again.”

The new year would bring bloodshed.

Reina Romero brought out the best in me. Now the world would see the worst.

14

REINA

Isat on the kitchen floor with my knees pulled up to my chest and blood pooling all around me for who knew how long.

My eyes drifted down my body, gulping when they reached my blood-stained hands. Who would’ve thought this was how the night would end. Me, drenched in the blood of our parents’ sins.

I knew I’d be okay physically, but the things I’d heard tonight were inked on my soul.

It broke my heart that I couldn’t protect Phoenix from this gruesome scene. Yet I was at a loss as to what to do. I couldn’t exactly send the body down the garbage disposal. Bile rose in my throat, but I shoved it down.

I clenched my teeth, my heart beating fast as I stared at the man whose blood was now on my hands.

Tonight, I’d killed. The realization hit me full force. Silent tears streamed down my face. Those dead eyes would haunt my nightmares for the foreseeable future. I couldn’t look away from his ashen face though. The blood-stained silver hair. Dull blue eyes.

Angelo Leone raped my mother. He deserved to be dead. He destroyed our family. What if Papà learned that Mamma had an affair with Angelo Leone and then broke it off, resulting in her rape? No, no, no. I had to keep this secret, to protect Papà and Phoenix.

Panic filled my lungs and I fought the urge to crawl into the bathroom. I wanted to turn the shower on and let water fall over me while I inflicted physical pain on myself.

Anything was better than this ache inside my chest. God, I was sick and tired of feeling so fucking broken. An invisible hand clawed its fingers around my throat and dug them in, mocking me.

The tremor started in my hands and spread until my entire body shook. Pressure built inside me and screamed at me to release it. Just one cut and it’d be all better.

I squeezed my eyes tight but the voice became louder, lashing at my skull. Hurting me with bruises that would never heal.