"Friday morning," he said once we were inside, his voice tight with urgency. "We have to keep her hidden until then."
I started the engine, pulling smoothly into traffic. "Which means we move to my secret spot Thursday night."
"The documents won't be ready."
"Don’t worry, Pretty Boy. No one but me knows this location." I navigated through the city streets, mind racing through contingencies. "Your father's estate has how many guards at night?"
"Twelve on rotation. Four at the main house, two at the perimeter gates, the rest patrolling the grounds."
I nodded, formulating a plan. "And how many would die for you?"
Gavriel was silent for a long moment. "I don’t know. Harley would actively help. Maybe eight?"
"That's not going to be enough," I said, reaching across to squeeze his thigh. "We'll need a distraction, something big enough to pull security away from your father’s study."
His eyebrows pinched together. “That’s going to have to be some distraction. What are you thinking?”
I shook my head. A plan was forming in my head that would give us both the retribution that we needed. “Can you ensure that Juarez and your father are at the same place on Friday? Two birds, one stone. Otherwise, is there somewhere they would both be out in public? Though I would like to handle this. . . privately.”
"I can arrange that." His voice had shifted, hardened into something cold and precise. The voice of the Owl’s Talon, not my submissive.
I glanced at him, taking in the transformation. With the mask removed and the leash hanging loosely from his wrist, there was nothing submissive about him now. This was the man who hadexecuted enemies of the Azzaro family without hesitation, who had earned his reputation through blood and terror.
And yet, he had knelt for me. Had surrendered control to me. Had trusted me with his sister's life.
"We'll save her," I promised, turning onto the highway that would take us back to my house. "But first, we need to call Rico. See where we are on those documents."
Gavriel nodded, already reaching for his phone. As he made the call, I focused on driving, my mind continuing to map out escape routes and safe houses.
Whatever happened next, we'd face it together—the domme and her deadly submissive, playing a game where the stakes were measured in lives, not pleasure.
Chapter 41
Theairinmyfather’s study smelled of stale cigars and resentment. He sat behind his massive mahogany desk, which reflected light from the single lamp. I stood before him, my fists clenched at my sides. I was still treading carefully considering how pissed he was at me.
“This is insane, Father,” I began, my voice low but firm. “I recognize the drug route is a major benefit to us. That we need the pipeline to increase profits. I just told you what intel I got last night, and you are still willing to marry Rhea to that . . . that destroyer? It’s a betrayal to our family.”
He leaned back, steepling his fingers. “Betrayal? Gavriel, you speak of family loyalty as if it’s some precious notion.”
“It is the foundation of everything we are!” I retorted, my voice rising slightly. “Rhea deserves more than to be a pawn in some power play. Even more so after the man she loved died.”
A cold smile played on his lips. “A pawn? She’s securing our future, solidifying our position, as is her duty in this family. Joel's death was necessary. He violated the trust we had put in him, defiled your sister, and you stand there and defend him?The Juarez alliance is invaluable. Sentimentality is a luxury we cannot afford.”
“But you heard him yourself during our meeting with him. He plans on breaking her!” I took a deep breath. I had to keep it together so that he wouldn’t kill me on the spot. If I were dead, I couldn’t keep her safe. I’d seen the fear in her eyes, the way she’d flinched at the mention of his name. “You're throwing her to the wolves! The cartel will shred her to pieces. Do you care for her so little?”
He waved a dismissive hand. "She'll learn. She’ll adapt. This family demands sacrifice.”
“Sacrifice? You call thisa sacrifice? Sacrifice is letting the FBI have a shipment because you are bringing a larger one in somewhere else. This is your fucking daughter. You’re obliterating her happiness, her very soul, all for your ambition!” The words felt like venom as I spat each syllable, heavy with accusation.
His eyes hardened. “This isn’t some romantic novel, Gavriel. This is business. The Juarez family controls over half of the drug trade through the California border. This marriage is a strategic move, a safeguard against our rivals. You understand this, don't you?”
“I understand the brutality of this world, Father. I’ve dealt it firsthand. But I also understand compassion. And you’re devoid of it.” I knew I was pushing boundaries, gambling my own position within the family. But the image of Rhea with Juarez was a reality I was trying to stop. “I also understand as Don Azzaro, there may not be a need for it; however, when it comes to Rhea, your own daugh—”
He slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing in the silent room. “You dare question my decisions? You, who are barely trusted to run a single club? You, who have fumbled so many shipments and movements lately? My heir?”
“I still believe in something beyond power grabs and bloody alliances!” I retorted, my voice unwavering. I tried not to flinch at the words, balling my fists tighter, my nails digging into my palms. “I believe in loyalty, yes, but loyalty to family also means protecting them, not exploiting them.”
He stared at me, his gaze intense, a storm brewing behind his eyes. The weight of his silence was crushing. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and dangerous. “This isn't a game.”
