Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Weakness was never an option. I was either the wolf, or I was the sheep, there was no in between.
Not when it came to him.
Before I could even contemplate what was happening, or where this was going, he casually reached into his holster and pulled out his gun. Aiming it down at his side.
I jerked back as Adriana gasped. Both stunned by the turn of events.
“Papá—”
Without looking at his daughter, he held up one finger in her direction.
Silence.
I would remember the next words out of his mouth for the rest of my life. In a jarringly still voice, he questioned, “You want to be a Martinez, Crucifixio?”
“Cruz, don’t—” Adriana stated, before I interrupted.
I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
So many conflicting emotions erupted in a matter of seconds. I still didn’t fully understand my role as a Martinez, or what our father was implying. My body locked up when he presented his Glock for me to take. There it was, the polished black metal, shining bright in the space between us.
The power it held.
The control it had over me in that second.
The path it would lead me down.
My gaze shifted from his gun up to his vacant green eyes. I tried like hell to govern the sudden uncertainty, coursing through my body at rapid speeds with no end in sight. This was the first time in my life, I felt like he was finally showing me the devil inside of him.
“You want to be a Martinez, Crucifixio?” he repeated, nodding toward one of the guards behind us. “Ambrosio, ven,” he called for him to come in Spanish.
The guard quickly came, knowing his place and stood behind our father.
“Man up, son. What if I told you Ambrosio betrayed us? How would you handle it?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“What did he do?”
“The mere fact I told you he betrayed us is enough justification to make it right. Family over everything, Crucifixio. Including life.”
Without thinking, my stare locked with his guard.
“Don’t look at him. You look at me,” he ordered, snapping my attention back. “You look me in the eyes when I’m talking to you, Cruz. Always.”
I swallowed hard, fighting back the emotions trying to climb their way to the surface.
“Is this what you used to do, when you were El Diablo?”
He cunningly arched an eyebrow. “Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. Do you understand me?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I don’t have to.”
“Are you going to kill him?”
In one swift movement, he handed me his Glock. “Are you? You want in my business? Then you’re going to have to earn it. You think you can meet El Diablo and not burn in Hell? You want to challenge me? Then man up, hijo. Show me what you’re made of.”
“Oh my God,” Adriana breathed out. “It’s true then? You were the most feared man in all the world? You were El Diablo?”
“Adriana—”
She cut him off, “Answer me!”
He was in her face before the last word left her mouth. His abrupt movement caused her to stumble over her footing, falling right onto the couch. He peered down at her, hovering above my sister with nothing but blistering dominance radiating from his skin.
“You don’t ever raise your voice to me, peladita.”
She shook her head, not believing her eyes.
I forced myself to keep my shit together. The eerie quietness surrounding us wasn’t aiding my disposition. I felt my nerves creeping up on me once again, adding to the endless questions I knew I’d never get answers to.
“Your entire life, I have protected you from—”
“You,” I finished his sentence for him.
Our eyes locked.
In that moment, I understood this was a test—one that had been carried out many, many times before tonight.
Was this how he was made into El Diablo? Did my grandfather do this to him too? Was this how Martinez men were made?
My body moved on autopilot, like it was being pulled by an invisible string. Evoking a reaction I could neither explain nor deny, crossing that imaginary line between Heaven and Hell. A mystifying force, so fucking consuming there was no point in defying it. The choice was made for me.
It was in my blood.
My DNA.
The truth reflected back at me with each step bringing me closer to my maker.
I stood tall, looking the Devil right in the eyes. “I always thought you faked your death because you were hiding from men who wanted your blood on their hands. That wasn’t it at all, was it?”
“One day you’ll learn that acting on thoughts will only get you killed. Facts, son, or you’re just wasting my time.”
“You want facts?” I scoffed, my lips curled into a silent snarl as I stared him down. “I’ll give you the most important one. You weren’t hiding from anyone but yourself. That’s the truth to your imaginary death, isn’t it?”
“That’s not a fact, it’s a question. When you come for me, Crucifixio, you make damn sure you control your tone and emotions. It only clouds your judgment. You’re making it far too easy for me to use it against you.” He leaned in, staring deep into my eyes. “Which explains why you think you can step up to me and not feel the wrath of my hand. Who the hell do you think you are?”