Page 88 of Married with Blood
That was all I’d ever have for an answer for him.
He had nothing to offer me but danger. He was up to nothing but aligning with my enemy.
I wanted nothing to do with him except for a window of opportunity to kill him.
It was only a matter of time until I would.
I picked up my phone and called for a meeting with my brothers and cousins, realizing that this solution to the Garcia problem couldn’t—and wouldn’t—wait.
30
CARINA
My commitment to staying fit and in shape was never about being sexy or my looks. Since I was a girl, and my mother took me jogging and then running with her, I relished the freedom to feel strong. To notice muscles and to register the ease of lifting heavy things or holding a gun.
This morning, though, as I finished my workout, I smiled with the victory of exercising with the goal of being as healthy and fit as I could for my baby.
Already, I was adapting to this new role. To this new adventure of what else I could do for Maksim and the family I had found here. The Bratva wasn’t only a criminal organization. I was part of a family in a way that I had been missing. Since my parents passed away and I was left to pick up the pieces of my life with Arturo, I’d missed a real sense of belonging. Of fitting in with a principle of teamwork.
My brother hadn’t fostered any sentiment of togetherness.
Only Maksim could show me that.
My husband and all my brothers-in-law. My sister-in-law. Even Lev and Alexei as cousins.
I wasn’t alone, fighting to be heard or seen or respected.
I belonged, and that was a conviction I could stand behind as I imagined becoming a mother soon.
I exited the gym feeling more optimistic than I had when I entered it, but as soon as I headed into the bathroom to shower and heard Maksim calling out for me, I suspected something was about to ruin my good mood. The stern tone of his voice was all I needed to hear to realize something was up.
“Carina?
I backed up, frowning at him before I could shower. “Over here.”
He turned, seeking me out. The frown on his face matched the tone he was using. Concerned. Worried. Pensive. Determined to react.
“I texted your brother.”
I reared back, surprised. When I left the dining room, I had done so with the guess that he’d make the flight down to the Cartel compound and visit Arturo, as he’d requested. Relying on the ambiguity of text messages didn’t seem wise.
“And?”
“He’s up to something.” He handed me his phone.
I took it and lowered the towel I’d used from the gym to wipe off sweat. Sinking to sit on the chair off to the side, near the vanity, I frowned and began to read the exchange.
Garcia:We need to meet.
Maksim:You are not and never will be in any position to dictate what I need to do.
Garcia:We should meet ASAP.
Maksim:Why?
I peered at my husband. He stood there, arms crossed, expression stiff, as he watched me. “Youwantto meet him?”
“No. But also, yes. Keep reading.”
