"Don Ezequiel needs to die," I stated flatly. "And Juarez too, if we can manage it. It's time for you to take your rightful place."
Gavriel didn't look surprised by my suggestion. While I’d been putting together potential plans for days, it was obvious he’d been thinking about it too. I could see it in the calculated coldness that had replaced his earlier panic.
"A coup," he said softly. "Against my own father."
I stepped closer to him and rested my hand over his heart, and he stared deep into my eyes as his throat bobbed. There was some fear in that gaze, but also maybe relief? "He stopped being your father the moment he killed your best friend and sold your sister to a monster. This ends now or it never does."
He nodded slowly, coming to stand beside me. "I have men who are loyal to me, not him. Harley can organize them. But my father is well-protected, and Juarez even more so."
“Okay, so we walk in the front door. Under guise—”
“No.” Gavriel was shaking his head. “My father has told all security that if you step one toe onto the compound, then you are to be shot on sight. He wanted me to end things with you and if I didn’t, he was going to solve the problem.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “Obviously, I have chosen not to end things with the woman I love.”
“A kill order, huh?” I looked up to him and saw the truth of his words.
My mind was racing through different options as I paced a few short steps, and he watched my every move. I thought about going on-site as a delivery person or cleaning staff, and each one completely failed on its face. The one that kept sticking with any chance of success was going to piss Gavriel off.
"Okay, I have a plan, and I need you to hear me out." My voice was steady despite the danger of what I was proposing."Your father's men are looking for Rhea. They know her car, her routines."
He leaned back a smidge and asked carefully, "What are you suggesting?"
"I take her place," I said simply. "I'll take over her routine. Get a wig so I’ll look like her. Dress like her, behave like her, call in sick to work, answer her text messages, and drive her car for the next few days. Let them think I'm her."
Gavriel's reaction was immediate and violent. He gripped my shoulders, his eyes wild with fear and rage. "Absolutely not. That's suicide, Elin!"
"It's the perfect distraction," I countered, refusing to back down. "They'll take me to your father's compound. Once I'm inside—"
"Once you're inside, they'll realize you're not Rhea and they'll kill you! If the guys who kidnap you don’t." We stared at each other for a long moment before he continued, “Besides, it won’t work. Everyone knows what Rhea looks like.”
“Rhea mentioned once—” He lifted an eyebrow in question, but I continued, “She mentioned that the new guards she’s had recently are new hires.” I placed my hand on his chest, feeling his heart hammering beneath my palm. "I can handle myself, Pretty Boy. And I have my own reasons for wanting your father dead. He killed mine, remember?"
His hands slid down to my waist as he pulled me close. "Elin . . ."
"Your father pulled the trigger that killed my dad, and he has done nothing but torment you and Rhea your entire lives."
Gavriel turned away, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I can't let you do this. The risk is too great."
"It's not your decision to make," I said firmly. "This is my choice. My revenge. I’m asking you to join me. I need the person responsible for my father's death, the man who thinks he can usehis children as objects and not humans, the man who treats his son with such disrespect that he believes he can’t make his own decisions, eradicated from this earth. "
"I’m not fighting you on whether or not he dies. I agree, but there has to be another way," he insisted, desperation creeping into his voice. "We can draw him out, set a trap—"
"Your father never leaves the compound without an army of guards," I reminded him, steeling my resolve. "We have to do this inside. This is our best chance."
Gavriel paced, his mind clearly racing through scenarios, looking for alternatives. Finding none, he stopped, fixing me with a gaze so intense it nearly took my breath away.
"If they hurt you . . . ," he began, his voice thick with emotion.
"They won't get the chance," I promised. "I'll have a tracker on me. Your men will be ready to move in once I'm inside. It's the distraction we need. They will announce they have Rhea, and you can meet me there when they go to deliver me to Juarez."
He shook his head, still resistant. "The compound is a fortress. Even if we get inside, the odds of getting out alive—"
"Are better than the odds of your sister escaping Juarez," I finished for him. I knew the risk I was taking. "This ends now, Gavriel. One way or another."
For several long moments, he stood silent, the weight of the decision visibly crushing him. Finally, his shoulders slumped slightly in surrender.
He closed the distance between us, cupping my face in his hands with unexpected gentleness. "I can't lose you too," he whispered, his voice breaking slightly.
The vulnerability in his eyes made my chest ache. I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against his. "You won't. I promise."
