His side of the bed is empty when I awake. It’s not too cold, so maybe he just left.

Running a hand over my face, I toss the sheets away and press my feet on the tile floor, making way for the bathroom. I take a quick shower and get dressed in white shorts and a loosely knitted summer sweater that hangs off the shoulder.

I walk to the patio door, drawing it open and stepping onto the balcony. The warm breeze runs over my damp scalp, so soothing. It’s not too hot yet. The sun isn’t fully in the sky, but something tells me that when it is, the day will blaze away.

I have another splitting headache, and I’m still so damn exhausted, even after a pretty decent night’s sleep, but I won’t let it stop me from enjoying this day. Enjoying what we have for now.

There are things he and I have to discuss. Last night was like a dream—I never wanted it to end. It made me think of the future. It made me think about us.

I walk out of the bedroom and down the hallway, smelling syrup, cinnamon, and one of my salty favorites—bacon. As I step around the corner, past the bar and kitchen, I enter the dining area, and the table is filled to capacity—all but one seat that is right beside Draco’s, who sits at the head of the table.

I’m surprised to see Mrs. Molina is sitting with everyone. Her eyes barely linger on mine when she sees me. She drops her gaze and continues eating, putting her focus on her plate.

Clark is sitting beside Patanza, and Mrs. Molina beside Draco. Emilio has clearly pulled a chair up from the pool; it’s wedged between Mrs. Molina and Draco.

All eyes shift to me when I enter—all eyes but Mrs. Molina’s.

“Do you always sleep in late?” Clark asks, looking me over. “Early bird catches the worm, and all that other shit. Gotta stay on top, cousin.” His forehead creases as he puts his focus on me. “You good?” He gives Draco a glance, like he’ll lunge at him if he has to.

I smile. “I’m good, Clark. Just need some coffee to wake me up.”

Draco lowers his newspaper to look at me, running his eyes from head to toe. “Come, Gianna. Sit.”

A soft smile pulls at the corners of my lips as I walk behind the chairs, taking the empty one between him and Clark.

“Eat, reina,” he murmurs, and I don’t hesitate. I pile bacon and fruit onto my plate, but then my eyes land on the pancakes.

Pancakes? I quirk a brow, looking his way just as he looks at me.

“I had a taste for them,” he says, and there is nothing more. No need for him to go into the back story, or how he’s most likely trying to overcome his awful, bloody past.

I huff a laugh, biting into my bacon. Emilio fills my empty mug with coffee, and I thank him. He gives me a solid nod, but his eyes linger on mine longer than they should. I pull away, digging into my breakfast.

Forks scrape on china and lips smack as everyone devours their meals. For the most part, we are quiet, but the quiet doesn’t bother any of us. It’s…peaceful.

If only for now.

Draco clears his throat after taking a few hard gulps of his coffee. “There is something I need to say—and I will only say this once, and never again. I’ve already spoken to Emilio about it, so I’ll tell you all in English, so you can understand.”

Patanza straightens her back, giving him her undivided attention. I’m surprised she’s even eating breakfast with us. She normally doesn’t—would rather patrol and protect than waste time eating.

Clark lowers his glass of orange juice, and Emilio lowers his fork, still chewing. Mrs. Molina meets her son’s eyes for a brief moment and then drops them down to mine. I start to look away, knowing she’s probably still angry with me, but I catch a glimpse of something in her eyes.

Something I can’t quite explain.

Like she’s still wary of me, but still cares. Like she’s accepting my silent apologies with her eyes, without uttering a word.

Draco’s voice fills the room again, pulling my focus to him. “Everyone at this table has a purpose,” he starts. “Every single one of you are important to me in some way.” He looks at Clark. “You are important to Gianna, which makes you an important asset to me.”

Clark smirks, slouching back in his chair, like he’s proud of the status he’s accomplished with The Jefe in such a short amount of time.

“I know I have been restless. I know I have done things—unspeakable things—that may or may not let you sleep at night. I know I have been working you all hard—harder than ever before. But out there,” he says, holding a finger up and pointing, “is a threat that needs to be taken care of. And you all know that I will not rest until we find her. I will not rest until I see the breath leave her body. I don’t care about the territory she’s trying to take. That’s nothing—land I can easily get back with a snap of my fingers. Right now, I’m letting her relish in it, but that will be mine again once this is all over.”

He drops his hand, clenching his fist on top of the table. He shuts his eyes and starts to seethe like a wild bull. I drop my hand on top of his forearm, and he glances down at me, steadying his breaths, shutting his eyes briefly before opening them again.

“She took someone important from me—from us. He was important to many of us around this table. He left an impact, especially on me. Yes, he frustrated me constantly. Yes, he tested my boundaries—my limits…but that is what I loved about my cousin. I loved that he pushed me—drove me to do the things I needed to do. I loved that he tested me, because in this world, there is never a moment where I will not be tested. Whether he knew it or not, he was keeping me on my toes. He was keeping my power at its highest. He was doing all that he could, not only for himself, but for me to stay afloat as well.” He drops his head, some of his raven hair tumbling onto his forehead.

“We will find Hernandez and trust me, I will make her pay. But if you’re sitting at this table, it means I trust you in some way. And I am telling you now to accept who I am and how I do things, because it will only get worse from here. Things will only get dirtier until I win. I am not a man who begs, but right now, I am asking that you keep fighting with me. Keep going. We will get her. That is my word.”

Silence consumes each and every one of us. I don’t know how his words, even though they’re still brutal and gritty, are so powerful. I don’t know how he expects us to react after hearing that.

But, I do what I can. Say, what I can.

“I will always fight with you,” I whisper, grabbing his hand on top of the table and squeezing it. “Always, Jefe.”

“Sí, Jefe,” Patanza adds. “Siempre.”

“Always, hijo,” Mrs. Molina adds softly.

Clark clears his throat, holding his half-empty glass in the air. “As long as I come out of this on top too, I will be by your side, Jefe.”

“Good,” Draco murmurs. He squeezes my hand in return, sighing. “Finish your breakfast and then go pack lightly. I have a few calls to make, but as soon as I’m done, we will be on our way to Acapulco.”

“Acapulco?” Clark asks as Draco pushes back in his chair and stands.

“A lead was found by one of my tech men when I sent her the numbers and locations from Henry’s phone. Her voice was caught on a satellite phone. Location says she’s stationed somewhere in Acapulco.”

With those words, no one is finishing breakfast. We all push out of our chairs, ready to start packing—ready for this to be over with already.

“I’ll help you pack,” Patanza murmurs to me.

Draco, Clark, and Emilio are already out of the dining room. Mrs. Molina remains in her chair, and I look back at her. She speaks before I can get away.

“Emilio told me what he did for you two nights ago,” she says, her voice low.

I stop at the opening that leads to the hallway, turning to face her. My chin falls, words trying to escape, but I don’t say anything.

“When?” she asks.

“When what?” I murmur.

“You know what I’m asking.”

I press my lips, giving her the only answer I can. “Soon.”

She sighs, pushing back in her seat, stacking the plates beside her. “I am too old to hold onto grudges, Gia. I’ve gone through my fair share of mistakes. You didn’t trust him then, but you trust him now, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I answer.

“Good. Because he needs you right now. And that’s something he’ll never admit out loud.” She looks me over, her eyes tense, focused. “Protect him and yourself. I want to see you both when it’s all over.”

I give her a light nod and nothing more.

“Come on, let’s get your stuff packed,” Patanza says over my shoulder. She takes off, her boots crunching on the tile as she drifts down the hallway and toward the bedroom. Before I can get around the corner, Mrs. Molina calls my name again.

“Yes?” I answer when she steps closer.

“Make sure you don’t let him down again,” she says. “Or it will be my wrath you have to face the next time. Not his.”

She says it, and I know she means it. Her face is stale, but still soft somehow. Her eyes edgy, bordering on dangerous.

She may seem like a sweet, innocent woman, but I’m more than positive Mrs. Molina has gotten her hands dirty in the past.

Being with men like Draco, it changes you. You’re forced to defend yourself. Your hands are dirtied up the instant you take interest in a Molina, but as soon as you fall for one, it takes no time at all for the same hands to be smeared with someone else’s blood.