Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Because Nico’s not who he says he is.
“All this time, I thought he was your boss.” She pointed at Nico with her eyes on Matias. “But he’s not.”
“Not exactly.” Matias scratched the back of his neck. “We’re close.”
“Close like besties? Or brothers?” She watched them carefully, looking for reactions. “Lovers?”
“No,” they said in unison then laughed uncomfortably.
She turned her attention to Nico, who was just standing here instead of hurrying off to run the cartel. Hell, the man spent the majority of his time up Matias’ ass. And Matias walked around like he owned the joint, building citrus groves and silencing rooms just by stepping through the door. Then there was his extravagant suite that only a few people had access to. She’d never entered Nico’s personal space, but from the outside, it looked like Matias’ wing was the prime real estate with the best views.
Nico appeared to hold authority over everyone who lived here, barking orders and sending people scuttling. But when he was alone with Matias, the dynamic between them flipped.
Like now. The three of them stood there, as if waiting for instruction, for someone to say Let’s go. Naturally, she looked to Matias.
But so did Nico.
Light bulbs went off in her head, and her mouth dried as she aligned the pieces. “Who owns this property?”
“Hector Restrepo built it.” Matias leaned a shoulder against the tree trunk, his timbre as steady as his eyes.
She’d heard stories about the old capo in the news and whispers in the halls during her stay here. Apparently, he was a brutal bastard. Was. Hector was dead.
“You’re not Hector’s son, are you?” She directed the question at Nico, but holy hell, she was certain she knew the answer.
He glanced at Matias.
“See, he’s looking at you!” She turned to Matias, heart hammering. “Because you’re the one making decisions around here.” She fisted her hands on her hips. “Who are you?”
“You already know.” Matias stared at her, his unblinking gaze knocking the air from her lungs.
He’s the boss.
Matias is the goddamn kingpin.
What better way to protect the capo than to make everyone think someone else was the capo? How had she missed this?
“If you’re not the second in command…” She glared at Matias then looked at Nico. “You are.”
“Told you she’d find out.” Nico scrubbed a hand over his head and scanned the surrounding trees.
“I need to hear you say it.” She swayed as her stomach bucked in denial. “Say it, goddammit.”
“I’m Matias Restrepo.” The name rolled off Matias’ lips with mellifluous possession.
Her face numbed with icy prickles. “You’re Matias Guerra.”
Matias Guerra, the boy she’d spent her childhood with. Camila Guerra, the name she’d doodled on all of her school folders.
Her mind swam, and her pulse spiked. Christ, she’d grown up with a Restrepo family member? And he’d inherited this estate? This business?
“I’m Nico Bianchi.” Nico held out a hand. “Matias’ adviser, personal guard, and decoy.”
Decoy echoed through her head. She stared at his offered hand, refusing to touch it, her muscles too stiff and heavy.
Her chest heaved as she peered up at Matias through her lashes. “You’re the capo.”
“Yes.” Matias’ tongue darted out, wetting his bottom lip. “This is my cartel.”
A MASSIVE WEIGHT EVAPORATED from Matias’ shoulders, replaced by a warmth of sunlight that broke through a rip in the clouds. He licked his lips and swore he tasted joy, tasted her, the beauty of his vida.
Camila paced in front of him, working herself into a sexy mess. Her nipples pebbled beneath her damp shirt, and denim molded deliciously to her tight ass. He wanted nothing more than to strip her bare and fuck her under the blooming branches, just like he’d been meant to do twelve years ago.
But not with Nico here and not while her huge brown eyes were searching for answers.
She’d turned down Nico’s offer, surrendered the easier path, and abandoned herself. For me.
Just the thought of what that meant left him breathless.
“All these years…” She wandered a short distance away and returned, her eyes cloudy, distant. “You were the boss since the beginning.”
Not exactly, but close enough.
Withholding who he was had haunted him since the day he left her, but numerous safeguards needed to be implemented first, with Nico’s proposal being the last measure. Eventually, she would understand the prudence in his secrecy.
“This is madness.” She raked her hands through her hair and closed her eyes. “I have so many questions I don’t even know where to start.” Her head snapped up, and she scanned the grove with a startled whisper. “Who else knows?”
Nico raised a brow in an expression that somehow made his frown look pleasantly surprised. He’d had his doubts about her ability to keep secrets, but Matias had always known that when Camila Dias gave her loyalty it was fiercely deep-rooted.
“The upper-ranking lieutenants and hitmen know who their real boss is.” Nico watched her, his hands hanging loosely at his sides. “As well as some of the staff and hired whores on-site. But the cartel’s thousands of underlings and countless opponents scattered across North and South American? They have no idea.”