Gavriel: I know. Let me know if the weather gets to be too much. Storms are on the horizon. I’ll come get you if you need me.
Rhea: Okay. I love you.
Gavriel: Love you too.
My father was waiting in his study, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the rose garden. The room was a reflection of my father's power and ego. Dark mahogany bookshelves lined two walls, filled with leather-bound volumes he'd never read. Just a facade and illusion of cultured refinement. His massive desk dominated the space, a slab of marble atop hand-carved legs depicting wolves hunting down their prey.
Behind the desk hung the Azzaro family crest, an owl with red eyes and a line of bloodied roses at its feet. At sixty-two, Don Ezequiel Azzaro was still an imposing figure—tall and straight-backed, his silver hair impeccably styled, his custom suit without a single wrinkle. The only sign of his age was in the deepened lines around his eyes and the slight tremor in his right hand that he tried to disguise by keeping it in his pocket.
"Gavriel." He didn't turn from the window. "You're late."
"Traffic," I lied smoothly, coming to stand beside him. The tension between us had been thick since our last confrontation, but today we needed to present a united front.
"Juarez brings eight men. A show of force." My father's voice was cold. "Remember who we are today. Remember your place."
The owl and his talon. Father and son. Don and heir. I knew my role—the show of violence that he had at his command.
"Of course, Father."
His eyes finally slid to mine, calculating. "I hear you've been . . .distractedlately. By the Perkins woman."
My blood ran cold, but I kept my face neutral.How fucking dare he."My personal affairs don't interfere with business."
"See that they don't." His hardened gaze returned to the window. "They're here."
The beauty of Father’s office was that it overlooked the gate and the circular entrance to the compound, so there was a clear view of the front door. A convoy of three black SUVs rolled up the long driveway, stopping in a precise formation before the main entrance. Security moved into position as the vehicles' doors opened simultaneously.
Miguel Juarez emerged from the middle vehicle, flanked immediately by two men in suits whose bulges at their sides betrayed their weapons. The remaining six men spread out in a protective formation around him.
Juarez himself was meticulously groomed, his steel-grey hair slicked back, his tan skin bearing the weathered marks of a man who'd spent decades in the cartel business. His expensive suitcouldn't quite hide the predatory nature beneath—a shark in designer clothing.
"Shall we greet our guests?" My father's tone made it clear it wasn't a question.
We descended the grand staircase together, father and son, the picture of dynastic power. Men were stationed all over the entrance, two of which opened the double doors as we approached, and Juarez stepped into our foyer with the confidence of a man entering his own domain.
"Don Azzaro." Juarez's smile didn't reach his eyes as he extended his hand. "A pleasure, as always."
My father clasped his hand firmly. "Miguel. Welcome to my home."
Juarez's gaze shifted to me, his smile widening fractionally. "Young Azzaro. The famous talon." He extended his hand and I took it, feeling the excessive pressure he applied. A small dominance play I chose to ignore.
"Don Juarez."
"I was just telling your father how much I'm looking forward to our upcoming . . . family arrangement." His eyes glittered with malice. "Your sister is a beautiful woman. I plan to enjoy making her mine in every way."
My jaw clenched, and I felt my father's warning glance. Rhea was the bargaining chip in this alliance—her body, her future, her happiness all sacrificed for business.
"My sister isn't part of today's discussions," I said evenly, releasing his hand.
Juarez laughed, a sound like gravel. "Everything is connected,mijo. Family, business . . . pleasure." He turned back to my father. "Speaking of business, I'm looking forward to finalizing our arrangement for moving supplies from San Diego up through Northern California. With your distribution networkand my product, we'll control the entire West Coast within a year."
My father nodded, gesturing toward his study. "Let's discuss the details in private."
As we walked, I caught Harley's eye across the foyer. A slight nod passed between us. He would ensure our security remained vigilant while I endured this meeting.
In my father's study, Juarez took the offered seat across from the massive mahogany desk, while I remained standing by my father's right side. Two of Juarez's men positioned themselves by the door, their expressions blank.
"Whiskey?" my father offered, already pouring three glasses.
