Page 56 of Corrupted Bride

“Watch your tone. Keep your mouth shut. Cruz, on your feet.”

“You have no idea how bad you’re messing up right now.” Ruben sounds livid. His voice trembles with rage. “I’m going to make your life hell, Serafino. You have no fucking clue.”

“Keep threatening me and we’ll see how that goes over.”

Their voices recede as they move further into the house.

I run from the back door, sick with worry and fear. When I reach the gate, I spend a few precious, panicked seconds trying to figure out how I’ll jump it again, only to realize it was never latched. I hurry to the front yard and make it in time to see Cruz shuffle down the porch steps with Bass watching in through the door like he’s making sure the men inside can’t rush them from behind.

I throw myself at my little brother. He grunts in surprise as I grab him into a rough hug.

“Shit, Mari, you’re going to break my ribs again,” he says. “What the hell were you doing back there?”

“Making sure you didn’t get yourself killed.” I hug him tighter. “God, Cruz, I’m sorry.”

He sniffles and sounds small. “You’re not going to ask what I’m doing here?”

“Oh, I’ve got plenty to say to you later, but for now—” I release him and brush a tear from his cheek. “I’m happy you’re safe.”

Bass looms at my side, face hard. “We should go if we want to keep it that way.”

“You told Ruben you have backup.” I grin at my husband as I help Cruz into the truck. “Nice bluff.”

Bass’s face twists in outrage before he groans and rubs his temple. “You’re such a pain in my ass.”

Once Cruz is settled, I pause beside Bass before he climbs behind the wheel. I touch his arm and give him a look, and he gazes back, expression softening, and I think he knows. He understands how important this was to me and how much it means for him to take my side like this.

In the truck, Cruz lets out a low groan. “I think I need a doctor.”

“Don’t worry,” Bass says, pulling away from the house. “I know a guy. Don’t die on my back seat.”

“No promises,” Cruz sighs dramatically.

17

BASS

My phone rings and I don’t want to answer.

Carmine’s name is on the screen and I know what he’s going to say.

I’ve never avoided confrontation in my life. Even back in the day, people thought I could be an asshole because I didn’t sugarcoat how I felt. If I’m unhappy, if I’m feeling a certain way, I’m straightforward about it.

But right now, my loyalties are mixed and I don’t know how to look at myself in the mirror anymore.

I’ve always done right by my family. I’ve bled for them, killed for them, burned and suffered and hated for them, and always I’ve shielded them from as much worry as I possibly could.

Now I have Marisol in my life, which means she’s my family now too.

And so is her brother.

Reluctantly, with a stab of frustrated self-loathing, I pick up before it can go to voicemail. “Hello, Carmine.”

“Bastiano, I hear you’ve been busy.”

It’s not a good sign when he uses my full name. “I assume you heard from the Escalantes?”

There’s a short pause. “What do you mean?”