Page 157 of Forbidden Fate

Blood first.

Loyalty first.

My father made sure we knew it. He said it like law. Like it was the only thing standing between us and a world full of people who would love nothing more than to see the Bellamy name dragged through dirt.

Of course, it turns out my father may not have been the best choice for those lectures.

My father.

Austin Bellamy.

The man who shaped us.

The man who tried to kill himself and somehow left the rest of us cleaning up the mess of a life he refuses to explain.

What the hell was he involved in?

Cruz said Vega’s secrets had something to do with my father. He said Eagle was acting erratically because he was close to discovering something Vega didn’t want made public.

Eagle got too close.

So Vega sent Cruz to shut him down.

Not kill him.

No.

Just make him look like he relapsed. Make him look unstable. Unreliable. A former addict ranting about conspiracies no one should believe.

My stomach turns. That almost makes it worse. Eagle wasn’t attacked because he was weak. He was attacked because he was right. Or at least getting close to being right.

A soft knock sounds at the door.

I straighten too quickly, my whole body jolting. This is my life now, I guess. Every knock, every creak, will startle the hell out of me.

The door opens, and a man in a suit steps inside. He’s older, all gray, but he looks kind. “Ms. Bellamy,” he says gently.

“Yes?”

“I’m Ambassador De Luca.”

I widen my eyes. The ambassador himself is here? I guess the Bellamy name does carry weight.

“I’ve received word that the aircraft your family chartered for you is ready at the airport.”

My heart jumps. “Already?”

“Yes. Mr. Gallo was very determined.”

That almost makes me smile.

Vinnie determined is terrifying. Vinnie determined with access to his grandfather’s private planes is probably enough to move mountains as well as foreign governments.

“He said he has access to one of his grandfather’s planes here in Colombia,” I say.

“That appears to be accurate.” The ambassador smiles. “I’m happy to accompany you to the airport myself.”

“You don’t have to do that.”