Page 143 of Unbreakable Thread

Leo’s on my other side, steadying me with his hand on my shoulder. I’m grateful for it.

“Don’t tell me your little bitch doesn’t let you talk. She’s so wrapped around your dick you can’t see straight, son. Bet the kid is not even yours. It’s probably the professor’s. She likes to spread her legs like your puta of a mother.”

Asshole.

Max lunges forward with alarming speed, his fingers finding Carlos’s throat. As Carlos struggles for breath, Max leans in close, jaw clenched tight. “Mention Sol or my mother that way again,” he hisses through his teeth, “and I’ll make sure you never speak another word.”

“Enough!” a voice echoes through the now semi-empty room.

Patrons run out as soon as Daniel’s men draw their guns. Daniel saunters through in his black suit, running his fingers through his hair nonchalantly, as if this were nothing. I’m sure it is, considering he more than likely kills for a living.

“Let him go, Max.”

Angry veins pulse on Max’s neck.

Carlos drops like a fly, reaching for his neck, gasping for air. Once he recovers, he stands and peers at Daniel. “Hello, nephew.”

Nephew?

Max jerks back like the rest of us. Nephew. How is that possible? I mean, it could be, but…

“What’s going on?” Daniel barks.

“Max and I were about to have a talk.” Carlos juts his chin toward Max.

I just want to leave.

“I said get the fuck out of our way.” Max pushes through, but in a whip, Carlos pulls out a gun to stop him. My insides cave. Voices recede like a tide, until all I hear is the thud-thud in my ears, my pulse in my throat. My hands shake, gripping Max’s coat from behind as his body shields me.

Drake’s voice turns to steel. “Whoa, easy there. That’s not necessary.”

“Lower the weapon, Carlos. Now.” Daniel’s command cuts through the air.

Max’s shoulders drop slightly—the only sign visible from my position that Carlos must have complied.

“Nephew?” Max questions. “Never mentioned it.”

Gripping Max’s suit, I shuffle to the side of him.

Carlos slips his hands into his pockets. “Yeah, we’re family. Daniel’s mom is my sister.” Carlos shuffles around us. “Didn’t feel the need to mention it. We weren’t as close as you thought.” He makes a face, shrugging a shoulder.

Max’s sharp laugh cuts through the air. “No, I guess not. So this Underground bullshit was all you two doing?”

Daniel’s hands swing up. “Hey, not my doing. You came to me. Looking for a fight to earn coin. How you found the Underground was not my doing.” He points to his uncle. “According to Carlos, it would build you into the fighter you have become. You got better with every fight. You became the machine that you are. I’d say you owe us a thank you,” Daniel says.

A thank you? What a fucking load of horseshit. Arrogant men who think they own people and that they should bow to them. Max is who he is because he’s worked his ass to have it.

Max moistens his lips and gives him the IDGAF look. “I’d say you owe me a thank you. I made you money, didn’t I?” He points to Daniel. “Me give you a thank you? Never.”

“Don’t be so bitter like your piece-of-shit father. For a long time, I was pissed he took the girl I loved, but when I heard she was the reason Hector quit boxing, I was glad I didn’t knock her up first. Who wants a bitch like that? Like the one you have. They ruin everything. She’s hot as hell. I’m sure she’s a good fuck since you can’t get rid of her.”

Max lunges toward Carlos a second time. Carlos draws his gun again. “What the fuck did I tell you?” Before he can get to him, two men grab Max, holding him back.

Drake’s voice rises to a shout, words lost in the chaos. Xander yells something I can’t make out. More guns emerge from holsters and waistbands, with the metallic click of safeties disengaging. All sound recedes to a distant hum as my vision narrows to the dark circle of the gun barrel pointed at me.

“This bitch right here is the reason behind everything. I treated you like a son, Max. I was there for you. She was never the right woman for you. Annette was perfect. Strong, intelligent, successful. She would have climbed the ladder with you. Us three.”

“Get the gun out of her face,” Max roars.