Ignacio stared at his feet for a minute, then trained his dark eyes on me. “You know, I’d always hoped that my sons would take their place in the Vargas Cartel.”

Hattie squeezed my hand, showing her support without words.

“I know,” I conceded. “You didn’t exactly keep it secret.”

Ignacio pursed his lips and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I guess not.”

Rever grinned and slapped Ignacio on the arm. “Looks like you got your wish.”

Ignacio scoffed. “I’d never dreamed my sons would push me out to make it happen.”

“Senator Deveron and his son were indicted last week,” I pointed out. “It’s only a matter of time before the US government requests your extradition for cocaine smuggling, money laundering and a long list of other shit the Deverons feed them.”

Ignacio shrugged. “It’ll never happen.”

“Either way, it’s time for new leadership,” I reiterated for the hundredth time in the last week. Ignacio believed the Mexican government wouldn’t approve his request for extradition because he had too much evidence implicating high-level government officials. He was probably right. Even if the Mexican government imprisoned Ignacio, they’d orchestrate his escape from prison and subsequent disappearance like so many other powerful drug lords before him.

“That’s what you say now, but don’t be too stubborn to call me when things fall apart. I’m not too proud to come back and help my sons.”

Rever rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry. We’ll be just fine.”

“I doubt it.”

“You don’t know when to shut up, do you?” Rever snarled.

“I successfully managed the business for almost two decades. That’s unheard of in the world of drug cartels. You need my guidance.”

“Guess what?” Rever said. “You didn’t do such a good job. Emanuel nearly stole the whole thing from you while you were busy meddling in our lives.”

“I would’ve figured it out with or without you two,” Ignacio snarled.

“You know,” Rever hissed. “I’m done with this shit. Ryker, I’ll meet you in the car.” He turned on his heel and left.

Hattie leaned into me, pressing her lips against my cheek. “I’ll go talk to him.”

I turned to watch her until she was safely ensconced in the car. I had a hard time leaving her alone. I felt like she could be snatched away at any second.

“I give this six months,” Ignacio said.

I turned to face him. “What?”

“You and Ryker trying to run my cartel.”

“Why’s that?” I asked, but immediately regretting it.

“You’re too soft and Rever’s a hothead. Rever will kill indiscriminately, and you’ll spend all your time cleaning up his messes and apologizing for his behavior.” A bitter laugh tumbled from his mouth. “I’m almost sorry I won’t be around to watch it happen.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Unlike Rever, I refused to be baited. Ignacio had been lashing out at us for days. The insults made Rever crazy, but I understood what Ignacio was doing. He wanted us to change our minds and let him stay.

“We’ll see.”

Ignacio gripped the metal tube stair railing. “Yeah, well, I better get going before that asshole you hired drags me up the stairs.”

“Love you, Dad,” I said when he reached the top of the stairs.

He paused, his entire body tensing. “I know.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I love you, too. I love both of my sons. I just wish you’d let me be in your life.”

I smiled even as my heart constricted. “Maybe someday.”

He rubbed a wrinkled hand along the side of his face. “Goodbye, Ryker.”

“Goodbye, Dad,” I whispered.

Epilogue

Hattie

I dug my toes into the pristine white sand and the waves crashed around my ankles. I lifted my chin, letting my head hang back, drinking up the sun. A few wispy white clouds dotted the blue sky. A seagull swooped and cawed as it dove into the turquoise water. It was a perfect day.

Three years had passed since Ryker and I officially started our lives together at this beach bungalow. While there had been moments of uncertainty, particularly in the first year, our life together exceeded my wildest dreams.

Almost two and half years ago, I married Ryker in a small, private ceremony on this beach with only Rever and my best friend, Vera, in attendance. When I asked Vera to be my maid of honor, she cried. Without confronting her, she confessed she’d sent emails to Evan informing him of my whereabouts after we broke up. Apparently, she wanted to show him I had moved on. Once she learned about Senator Deveron’s connection to the Vargas Cartel and his role in my abduction, she said the guilt nearly killed her. She told me she thought she had lost her best friend. I promised her she hadn’t.

I didn’t see her as much as I would’ve liked over the last few years because Ryker and I floated between Mexico, the US, and his flat in London. Our son, Easton, was almost three years old, so we figured we had a few more years of traveling before we had to commit to living in one place.

My parents didn’t accept Ryker in the beginning, particularly after they discovered his connection to the Vargas Cartel, but their opposition had softened after Easton was born. My relationship with them was complicated, and I didn’t think it would change anytime in the near future. They hadn’t pushed me out of their life, and for that I was thankful. Easton needed as much family as he could get.

I hadn’t seen or heard from Ignacio since that day on the tarmac, but I didn’t mind. Ryker never indicated whether he kept in contact with him, and I didn’t think I’d ever ask. Ryker’s mom spent a month with us after Easton was born, but she claimed she’d met the love of her life. She’d moved to some undisclosed location, and we only saw her once a year. When I asked Ryker if he cared, he just shrugged, claiming he was happy his mom had found someone after spending most of her life alone. Something told me Ignacio had rekindled things with Ryker’s mom, but when I asked him about, Ryker just smiled and changed the subject.

Rever was a surprisingly gentle uncle, but we only saw him a handful of times a year. Ryker and Rever ran the Vargas Cartel together for the first six months after they forced Ignacio out. Fortunately, Rever quickly proved he was more than capable of running everything alone, and Ryker bowed out. I suspected Ryker still managed the books, but he never confirmed it. I think it was his way of keeping Easton and me as far away from the violence as possible.

I finally finished my master’s degree last year and after turning down several job offers, I started writing a book exposing how criminal organizations have infiltrated governments throughout history. I didn’t know if I’d ever do anything with it, but it kept me busy.

A light, tinkling giggle floated through the air as Ryker’s arms closed around my waist, and two tiny hands wrapped around my leg.

“Found you, Mommy,” Easton said.

I gazed down at Easton’s gray eyes so much like Ryker’s and my breath caught in my throat. He and Ryker were proof the most amazing things could come from hardship. “I guess this wasn’t a very good hiding place.”

Ryker spun me around to face him. His fingers trailed down my cheek, and his lips tugged down at the corners. “Coming back here this weekend was your idea. Why are you crying?” he asked, studying me with quiet concern.

I smiled through my tears. “Because our life is perfect.”

His lips curled up into a smile, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “After everything we went through to get here, don’t you think we earned it?”

“Yes.” I scooped Easton up and plopped him on my hip. “I think it’s time for your nap, little man.”

Ryker wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and we strolled over the hot sand back into the beach bungalow.