Page 182 of The Fire We Make

And my soul, she thought.

The crimes and sins she’d committed

The sacrifices she'd made, both physical and emotional.

Nothing had been handed to her like the male heirs of the other families.

She’d fought for everything she had. Paid the price for it in full. The solid foundation of the Cartel had been built brick by brick with her bloody hands.

Cleve chuckled. “Yeah, you’re a tough lil bitch, I can't even lie. No matter how much I threw at you, you just kept getting up. You never quit but at least I had some fun.”

Joy’s jaw clenched. “I’m glad you remember my abuse so fondly,” she said dryly.

To this day, Joy had nightmares about what Cleve had put her through when Byron wasn't around. Whereas her father’s training was tough, he was never cruel and each lesson had a purpose.

Cleve on the other hand, took pleasure in tormenting her.

He sent her into hostile territories with no backup.

He sabotaged her missions and dared her to make it out alive.

He undermined her in from their men and offered rewards and praise to anyone who could lay her out or put her down.

Cleve shrugged, licking his lips. “You call it abuse, I call it… illumination. Shining a light on just how unworthy you were of inheriting the throne. In the end, you proved that to daddy all on your own.”

Joy grinned, then tilted her head with a faux pout. “All those years of scheming and sabotage… I hope you enjoyed these past several months because that was all you’re gonna get.”

“Oh I’m just getting started, Lil Demon.”

Joy flinched at the name she hadn’t heard outside of her nightmares in months before she could stop herself. Cleve clocked the movement and grinned.

Joy advanced on him again, bending at the waist so they were eye to eye in his kneeled position.

“I’ll show you a demon,” she whispered.

The smug smile slipped slowly from Cleve’s lips.

Joy looked up at Ace and his smile met her. “Take what you need, baby,” he encouraged her.

She removed her pistol from her holster and shot Cleve in his shoulder. Quick and precise.

With a cry of pain, Cleve slumped out of Ace’s hold, falling to the ground.

Joy wasn’t satisfied but it was enough to scratch the itch.

Ace tsked, moving to stand behind her. He didn’t touch her but he got just close enough for Joy to feel the heat of his body and strong presence at her back.

“You’re holding out on me, Rose,” he whispered in her ear.

Joy looked up at him and he pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth.

“This is your revenge to take. Don’t hold back,” he encouraged her.

Joy sighed and nodded.

She handed Ace her gun and replaced it with the knife. She wrapped her hand around the cold metal and Joy relished in the feeling of it.

She stepped forward slowly, heels clicking against the concrete as she approached Cleve, crouching down onto her haunches.