“Once I realized you were the customers waiting offshore for the product, I changed my mind about the outcome. Since Tommaso sent nobody else down there with me except bodyguards, I wasn’t worried they would know enough to stop me. It wouldn’t have been the first time a shipment that size went missing or got resold before I could get there. I’ve fucked Tommaso over enough times to feel vindicated, but this was going to be my magnum opus, if you will. That changed once I discovered Enrique was involved. I did what I had to for Tommaso, but it was mostly for Enrique.”
“Did you do it to buy his good graces?” Luis won’t let up.
“I’d hoped when he inevitably found out, he’d look at it as a gift. But I knew discovering who I really am—especially like that—was more likely to end everything than strengthen our relationship. I see it as nothing short of a miracle that Enrique didn’t walk away.”
“And that would have bothered you?”
“Luis—” Enrique’s ready to jump to my defense, but I squeeze his hand.
“Would I have entered this house knowing how easy it is for any of you—including Enrique—to kill me and make sure nobody even knew I disappeared since I’m already a ghost? It’s not like I don’t know your family’s reputation, Luis. It’s not like I believe I’m untouchable because I’m a woman. I’m a mercenary. That means those rules don’t apply to me. So yeah, your brother means an awful lot to me if I’m willing to face a firing squad after everything I’ve done. Would I really do something so illogical and irrational for your brother if I really wanted to ensure I’d live? I’ve put targets all over myself for the sake of being with him.”
“And you didn’t put more targets on my brother?”
“Well, I guess this relationship really is a two-way street, then, isn’t it?”
“But—”
“Enough, Luis. You’ve made your point.”
“Enrique, it’s fine. Let them all say what they have to say. Today and any other day. I will always tell what I can. While I may still have plenty to hide, it’s only what’ll keep me alive and keep my sons alive. For the rest, I feel no loyalty left to the Vizzinis. Sending me to Rio was Tommaso’s ultimate betrayal, so I feel no loyalty to him.”
“What about theOmertà?”
I shift my attention to Jorge as I shrug.
“It’s probably similar to whatever you swear in your syndicate. But I’m not a Made Woman. I’m a gun for hire. I just worked solely for the Vizzinis. I didn’t swear an oath. The men in my family did, but I didn’t. I’m not bound by that.”
“Do you think telling Tommaso’s secrets will make us believe you won’t tell ours?” Jorge is even more dogmatic than his uncle.
“I believe I’ve extended an olive branch in goodwill. I believe you’re smart enough not to ask me questions I won’t answer. And I believe you’ll never tell me anything you fear me repeating. I can tell you how I feel, knowing you won’t test me. If you did, you’d stand to lose as much as I do. Are you willing to take that chance?”
“If you have reasonable things to ask Ellie, then do. Otherwise, we’re not going to go around in circles, putting her on the spot like this.”
I look over at Enrique, then down at the chair, then up at him, and cock an eyebrow.
“Enrique, I’d say there’s not a hotter spot to sit in your office right now than the one I’m in.”
I don’t whisper because that would be pointless, but I lower my voice and offer him a smile when I finish speaking. He rubs his thumb over the back of my hand.
“Fair enough. I didn’t give you much choice about that one. I’m sorry.”
The guys look at him as though he’s sprouted a second head. I’m certain they’re not accustomed to him apologizing to anybody outside their immediate family. That alone shows them I’m more important than they wanted to believe.
“It’s fine, but it’s awfully crowded on this side of your desk. Maybe you need more space the next time I’m in here.”
I try to find the delicate balance between insinuating no one will shut me out when I don’t need to be without coming across as presumptuous that they would now include me in conversations I never should be. I look at the other men in the room.
“I may be important to him, but you’re his blood. If you can’t accept me, tell me now, and I will walk away.” I feel Enrique tense and suck a deep inhale. “No, Enrique, you won’t stop me from what I’m going to say, and I don’t need your permission to do it.”
I shifted my focus long enough to pre-emptively halt his interruption, but now I focus on the others again.
“I will walk away because of how much I’m coming to care for your uncle, your brother. I will not come between him and his family. I wouldn’t, regardless of his position, but I most certainly won’t do it toel jefe. If you won’t accept me, I’ll leave. You’ll have to make peace amongst yourselves, but if having me is just going to cause problems amongst you, then I’ll step aside.”
“Ellie, that’s not their decision to make.”
I don’t turn my head toward him. I won’t argue with him. I haven’t changed my mind about that. But I will be an equal partner.
“Yes, it is, Enrique. You may be the roots of the tree, but they’re the branches. Without their support, you’re left as just a stump. Without you, they have no roots to tie them to lands you rule. You need each other to survive, and don’t tell them otherwise when I’m not around because I will know. You can pick me before anybody who isn’t in your immediate family, but you willnotpick me before them because I will not knowingly endanger your life. Even if they continue to obey and follow you, the resentment will fester, whether or not any of you realize it. It will weaken their loyalty, even if it’s subconsciously. I won’t put you at risk like that. That would be worse than anything else because it would be unpredictable. If you need to talk amongst yourselves about this, I can step out.”
