Stolen Dove: Stolen Hearts Series by Blake, Carina (ebook reader 7 inch txt) 📕

“I doubt it works that easily,” I remind her.

“It’s a big city and there are lots of women there. I have hope that you’ll find the one and just know.” She’s a bit of a romantic. I’m not sure how she can have such an outlook given her past, but I don’t want to dissuade her from a bit of joy.

“The woman I marry will be my only one. I won’t be my father, so it may take forever to find the one to rule at my side.”

“You’re a good man, but you’re not even looking for a woman.”

“Hardly, Mama, but I will not be him,” I vow. Everything I do has been to prove I’m not him. I might run a less-than-legal empire, but it’s not a purely selfish rule. I take care of my village as well as those I employ. It’s more about protecting what I have than expanding.

“Good. Then you better get going. The sooner you meet a woman, the better.”

“Grandbabies. Always grandbabies.” I finish my plate and get up before she can set it in the sink. I see her bag of medicine on the counter.

“Tomas su medicina?” I ask, waving the still folded bag.

“No. I don’t like the feeling it gives me.” She stands and snatches it from my hand.

“Mama, we aren’t ready to lose you.”

Setting it on the counter, she claps her hands to her hips. “I’m sorry, but I want to go on my own terms, and it’s not yet. I’m made of more than that. I’ve never had control of my own life. First my father owned me and then sold me like chattel to your father, only to be at his mercy until his death.”

“I know. We just love you so much.” I wrap her up in a tight embrace.

“I know I’ve put you in a difficult spot.” She attempted to love my father, to make it a good marriage, but he wouldn’t stand for it. Everything was his way and solely for his benefit.

“No, you have not. That bastard of a father did. I only get along with Maria Luisa.”

“As you should. I just cannot.” I don’t hold any blame on her for anything.

I pull back while still holding her at arm’s length. “And you don’t have to get along with any of them, but promise me that you’re going to do your best to stay well whilst I’m gone, por favor.”

“Por supuesto.”

I kiss her and leave. I steal a glance back as we pull out of the driveway.

“She’s going to be fine, Victor.” Fernando is usually right, but as a son, I must always be concerned about her well-being.

“I hope so.” I check my watch and send a text to my pilot. Ten minutes out.

“I have the file on the families when you’re ready to review it.”

“Have you gone through it yourself?” Fernando’s team created the file and I’m certain he saw most of it, but as the head of security, he’s too busy to gather the intel himself.

“Yes. Intriguing and a bit worrisome.”

“How so?” I’ve been keeping busy with the growing tensions from the pressure of a new rival inching closer.

“They’re in the middle of a shake-up and our host had a huge part to play in it.” He hands me the file, and I start to read the front page. It’s a report with a small picture of Santino and Giada Benedetti. He’s kissing her temple as they sit at a restaurant. The notes under the picture read: Son of the former boss of the Marchetti family, Rafael Marchetti. Killed half brother Rafael Jr. in self-defense while in Santino’s company office. Giada is the daughter of Antonio Avanti.

“We’ll discuss it on the plane,” I grumble, closing the file. I never realized how difficult it was to read in a moving vehicle, and we’ve just hit a bumpy patch of road.

“Remind me to have that repaired as soon as possible.” Hard rains can damage the road quickly, and we just had a heavy storm.

Fernando nods in the rearview mirror as we hit the straightaway to the private airstrip. Once we pull up to the spot, his second in command, Luis, who followed behind with two others, helps unload our luggage. “Gracias,” I say. They will fear me, but I want their respect and loyalty.

We shake hands, and then Fernando and I board the plane and meet with Ernesto, my pilot. “Hola, Jefe.”

“Hola, Ernesto. How long until we land in New York?” I’m already anxious to return. I’m not one for going to the States. To me, there’s nothing special about it. I have everything the American dream can offer, and our history is much richer. I prefer traveling to Europe if I wish to have a vacation, which in all honesty, I do not.

“Nine hours, as long as the weather holds.”

“Bueno. We’re ready when you are.”

He nods and says, “Okay. We’ll take off in five minutes. Please take a seat and buckle up.” He swiftly turns around and heads into the cockpit while my men and I take our seats.

A few minutes later, we’re up in the air and the seat belt warning turns off. The flight attendant is Ernesto’s daughter, Delia. “Can I bring you anything to drink, Señor Serrano?”

“Please bring us some bourbon. Don’t forget to ask them as well.” She’s new, and I want her to do a good job. My men know not to flirt with her, so I want her to get comfortable. She’s a good girl and ready to start college soon. The men are sitting away from Fernando and myself as we discuss matters that are just between the two of us. I bring out the file on the American families and place it on the table between us.

“So tell me what these pages don’t,” I say, clapping my hands on my thighs and rubbing them back and forth twice over.

“The tensions are high. The Marchetti family no longer exists. Santino and his security team wiped them