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“If he gets a hold of her, he’ll break her,” Ghost says and because he cares for Toi, I see the same worry in his eyes that’s mirrored in mine.
“He won’t get her. I’ll fucking burn the Garcia empire down and set fire to Alvaro myself and this time nothing will save him,” I vow.
“Boss, their reach is pretty fucking long. Not saying we don’t have markers we can call in and some pretty damn strong alliances, but there won’t be a lot of them willing to tangle with the Garcias.” That comes from Topper. And he’s not wrong, but I need to bring in some muscle just as strong.
“Then it’s time I call in my biggest marker.”
“Anthes?”
“He has a direct line to Kuzma. Kuzma has wanted me on his payroll for years. He’s about to get his fucking wish.”
“Christ, brother,” Ride says, rubbing the side of his face.
“Get out,” I tell them, picking up my phone. I see it in their eyes.
Acceptance.
They know they can’t stop this—and they can’t. If the only way I can save Toi is to sell my soul to the devil—then so, fucking, be it.58Marcum“Haven’t heard from you in a while, Kincaid.”
“That’s the truth. How’s Ana?”
“Pregnant, just like I like her,” Roman laughs.
“She’s too good for you,” I say, taking another drink and embracing the burn.
“Don’t I know it,” he agrees and then gets silent. “Not that I mind you calling, but considering we never talk, I’m going to say this isn’t a social call.”
“I need a meeting with Kuzma.”
“Fuck, Marcum. That’s not the kind of son of a bitch you look to do business with. He finds you, and if you’re smart you try never to get on his radar in the first fucking place.”
“We both know I’m already on his radar,” I answer.
“Fuck, man. Why? You don’t need the money. Why would you let yourself get under Kuzma’s thumb?”
“Why do all good men fall?” I ask philosophically.
“A woman,” Roman says after a moment. “You let a woman in.”
He doesn’t ask. It’s a statement, short and concise… and completely fucking true.
“A good one. Took me a lifetime to find her and I’m not letting her go,” I tell him easily.
“Fuck.”
“Pretty much.”
“I’ll set it up. Hope you know what you’re signing up for man.”
“Appreciate it, and I don’t have a choice.”
“I hear you. I’ll be in touch,” he says, hanging up. I stare at the phone and taking another drink before laying it down.
And so it begins.59Toi“Hey Toi, you doing okay?” Tess asks, coming to sit beside me. We’ve been in lockdown for a week and Tess has to be going crazy. It’s not easy for me, but I was used to living here. Tess had a great home on the beach and she has to miss it. Today is a little better; Marcum has fixed it so we can all be outside enjoying the warm air. The fresh air is good for the children. Marcum didn’t want to chance it before, but he said he was making headway on the threat to the club. He’s got some kind of big meeting set up today. I don’t know the particulars and I haven’t asked. If Marcum wants me know—he’ll tell me.
“I’m good. You look tired,” I tell her, offering her the empty chair beside me.
“Hard to sleep when you’re as big as the side of a house,” she laughs, rubbing her stomach.
“You’re not that big,” I smile.
“Close enough. You’re talking better these days.”
“I am. There’s moments my voice is almost normal. The new medications the doctor prescribed are helping. It’s a short term fix, but it’s been nice. Marcum still wants me to have the surgery.”
“You don’t want it?”
“I do… but…”
“You’re afraid?”
“A little. What happens if it doesn’t work? Or I lose my voice altogether?”
“Then you’ll adapt. Sounds simple for me to say, but I’m still not wrong. People adapt when they don’t have a choice. It’s all we can do.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“In a way. Max and I went through hell and there was a time in my life I thought I would never have him with me again. I held on for Maddie, because I had to. It was a dark time, but I survived and if Max hadn’t come back, I would have continued to survive—because I had to…”
“For Maddie,” I whisper.
“Exactly,” she answers. I sigh, more than a little lost as I look over at Harley and Desi playing. Cherry is there. Marcum was doing his best to keep them separated, but with lockdown that’s been impossible. Mostly because Harley kept seeking Cherry out. It shouldn’t, but it hurts me to see them with her. It hurts me that Harley hardly talks to me right now.
“That was a very sad sound, Toi.”
“Yeah.”
“The kids will come around, you know. They care about you.”
“Desi maybe, but I think Harley might actually hate me.”
