Page 6 of Unforgiving Queen

“If Romero—or anyone else from the Omertà—learns that we kept her hidden, it will cause a war among the families. We cannot afford to be weak, Amon.” I remained still, knowing he was right but not giving the slightest shit. They could all go to war and die for all I cared. “Do you think it was a coincidence she was hit?”

I snapped my head up. He had my attention now. I hadn’t given it any thought, and honestly, I didn’t fucking know. Praying she stayed alive had been consuming me since we stepped foot in the hospital.

“What information do you have?” The comment couldn’t have come out of the blue. Illias was a smart man and conducted himself with precision. He didn’t blurt shit out.

“I know your cousin has kept an eye on Reina Romero for years.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That’s nothing new.”

“And he tried to use her to strengthen his relationship with the Brazilian cartel.”

“Again, old news. Get to the point because I know you have one.” My patience was running thin and my eyes kept darting to the girl in the hospital bed, listening to that soothing but too faint beeping from the heart monitor.

“The driver. Look into him.” There was my confirmation. “He and some of his family have worked on and off for the Cortes cartel in the past.”

He’d barely finished the statement and I was already sending a message to Ghost—namely, Kingston—and Dante. It would keep my brother busy, and Ghost would ensure the driver was found.

“Thanks for the tip.”

“It’s clear you care for the girl.” Fucker. I’d have to work on my poker face.After she’s awake, I thought. “It’s clear you want to protect her.”

“Well, you’re full of revelations,” I deadpanned.

He ignored my sarcasm. “Take over the Yakuza. Become so powerful that nobody can touch her. That’s how you protect her.”

“And what do you think I’m trying to do?” My tone was dry.

Illias smiled, like a cat that just ate the canary. “I suspected it, and I’m glad I was right.”

“What does any of it have to do with Reina?” None of my power would make any difference when it came to the cinnamon girl. She would still remain out of my reach. She was the sun and I was the ocean, basking in its glittery shine but never reaching it.

“Become the head of the Yakuza and Romero will jump at the opportunity to give her to you.”

I let out a bitter laugh, knowing the secret that ripped me in half. I almost wished I didn’t, but that was neither here nor there. I would let Illias believe it, because the secret of my blood relationship with Reina would die with my mother and me.

My eyes ventured back to her just in time to see her body start to twitch. Her breathing turned harsh. Her eyes opened to slits, but panic lingered in them.

“Call the doctor,” I ordered, then strode to the hospital bed, leaning over her. I took her small hand in mine. “Hey, you’re alright.”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she gasped for air, her blue eyes unfocused. It was as if a haze covered them, stealing their brightness.

“Reina,” I called. As if my voice made it worse, the heartbeat displayed on the machine sped up and became louder. Her lips twitched but no sound came out. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she lost consciousness once again.

3

AMON

Ientered the room designed for torturing our enemies and extracting answers to find my brother had started without me. No surprise there. I just wished he hadn’t beaten them to the brink of death. My gaze traveled over Dante, noting his labored breathing, destroyed knuckles, and blood-splattered clothes.

It was good to know he still nurtured his crazy.

“Are you sure that’s them?” I asked my brother.

I focused on the man tied to the chair, while Dante stood in front of the guy hanging from the chains in the basement of our club. If the people dancing above us knew what went on under their feet, they would bolt out of here screeching like damn birds.

“Yes.”

The images of Reina unconscious in her hospital bed played in my mind on a reel. Over and over again. It set my teeth on edge. It threatened to boil over and explode like a volcano. My ears buzzed with rage and my vision blurred as I saw nothing but red.