Stolen Dove: Stolen Hearts Series by Blake, Carina (novels in english .txt) 📗

them each a glass and then slides one to Santino. I take a sip of my water and see Victor stealing a glance at me and then winking.

Maria comes into the room and says, “Dinner is ready.”

“Shall we?”

“I can never say no to food,” Santino says before finishing his drink with a contented sigh and setting it down on the bar top. The men take our arms, wrapping them around theirs before leading us into the dining room.

Dinner’s fantastic as always, but it’s nice to have company, especially two people who understand our situation.

“So your mother doesn’t live with you?” Giada asks Victor.

“No, she wanted her own place. It’s been hard to let her go with the risks, but she’d been trapped so long,” he says.

“She’s around a lot, though. I know she can’t wait to see her first grandbaby,” I add.

“My mother can’t wait either,” Santino says, chuckling.

“It’s so nice to have a little one to love and raise with the love we didn’t get. I promise to make sure our baby never feels alone,” Giada adds.

“You’re going to be a wonderful mother, Giada.” They share a brief kiss.

“Thank you, love.” Victor reaches out to hold my hand and then brings it to his lips. I’m so glad that I’ve met them.

16

Victor

It’s been two weeks since Santino left, and just a week ago, his stepfather Rafael Marchetti disappeared. They fear that he’s fled the country and won’t face the charges against him, which there are many from what I read online, but I know better. Marchetti’s dead. Santino didn’t need to say anything else, and I’m grateful that he warned me against going to America again. Having the FBI on my tail for something I had nothing to do with would fuck up my business. I have my own bodies to deal with here, and our policia aren’t interested in my activities.

It’s early morning, but I’m sitting at my desk with Fernando, Julian, Marcelino, and Hector seated around me as we discuss business.

“So far everyone has come out clean. I hate challenging my men, but as you know, Vicente was in my home daily, attempting to seduce my wife, playing on her fear.”

“We understand, Jefe.”

“I’m grateful that everyone else is loyal.”

“How are things at the restaurant, Hector?”

“All the numbers are improving. We’ve had an influx of tourists, so Lupe’s pleased with the extra tours the winery has had.”

“Good, good.”

“Any news on the pendant?” Fernando asks.

“I’m waiting to hear back from the Irishman. He’s the one who sent his man down to follow Avanti’s guy.” Just then, my phone rings.

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Any news?”

“Yes, big news. It seems Avanti didn’t just send anyone. He sent your wife’s father.”

“Let’s just say, a Mexican cartel learned of the thousand-dollar necklace that was accidentally shipped to the wrong location. It so happens that it was taken, and Falcone was killed in the process. I’m sorry to break the bad news.”

“Yes. That’s terrible news. I’ll have to break it to my wife. She will be heartbroken.” I smile as the words come from my lips.

“Thank you for letting me know.”

“My pleasure.”

I end the call and say, “Poor Dove has lost her father.”

“What a pity,” Julian says. “Couldn’t have happened to a better man.”

“Well, I suppose they may be contacting us soon for the funeral. If they can find us.”

“I’m expecting a call from Avanti anytime soon.”

My phone rings from a private number. “Serrano.”

“You’re a dead man.”

“Avanti. Is there a reason that you’re making such a very serious threat?”

“You stole my necklace and had her father killed for it.”

“I did no such thing. My wife lost that piece-of-shit necklace.”

“You set Falcone up.”

“I didn’t do shit. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re going to play dumb, but I know you found the tracker and planted it in Acapulco. That’s why I sent that bastard there to get his daughter back.”

“Planted it? Why would you put a tracker on my wife?”

“She’s my whore. I want her back.”

“You’re a dead man.”

“You can’t touch me.”

“I don’t have to. Trust me when I say your days are already numbered. The day you disrespected me, forced my hand when it came to paying for my wife, you earned a death sentence. Now you have the nerve to speak of her like that, you’re going to pay, and you don’t even know when it will happen. Will it be in your food, medicine, your Viagra, or maybe in your liquor? Who knows, but I will relish the day you’re dead.”

“Bullshit. You’re so fucking full of it. I’ll show up and blow your fucking head off.”

“Please do. You won’t make it far.”

“You stupid son of a bitch. I’m going to chop your balls off, rape your wife, and then give her to my men.”

“Bye, bitch.” I end the call because I don’t need to hear his ranting and raving.

“Wow, you might just kill him by paranoia.”

“Right? Make sure all flights coming into the country are monitored.”

“You spot a single one of those American pieces of shit, you put a bullet in their heads.”

“Understood.”

We head out to inspect the cameras in the vineyards when my phone rings again. “Serrano.”

“It’s Vitali. I’ve just gotten an offer. A really fucking nice offer to take you out.”

“Let me guess. Avanti.”

“Yes. Tell me why I shouldn’t take up his offer.”

“Tell me why you would even call if you were really interested?”

“True. I don’t like that scum, but he says you stole his daughter and we’ve seen the woman you’re with.”

“My wife isn’t his daughter. He wants her to be his.”

“Ah. Well, I must say he’s a prick. I only called to let you know. I’m not interested. I made that clear before, but I’m not your only concern. It’s strange that he’d offer a million-dollar hit on you.”

“He can’t do it if he’s dead.”

“Good. I enjoy your wine and restaurant too much. I’d deal with him sooner rather than later.”

“Trust me. I’m not worried about Avanti.”

“Thank you for the