AlexNo one in their right mind enjoys funerals and least of all me. Watching Celina suffer with her father’s loss won’t be easy. She sounded so incredibly sad when I spoke to her by phone, and it’s hard not having her close and wrapping my arms around her. With my lack of sleep, I’m pathetic over wanting her near me. I’ve lived with the images for so long that they’ve become part of me. Now, I know what it’s like to sleep soundly. Yes… pathetic.I’ll be attending another funeral as soon as Manuel’s body is in Arizona. As of now, it’s unknown how long the Antigua authorities will keep it. Murder is a rare occurrence there and the government isn’t happy. Moon’s lawyer spoke to an investigator for two hours last night. He told them Manuel was in Antigua to offer protection to Ms. Danita Moon because she is Moon’s beloved aunt. Now she’s missing and her bodyguard dead.The attorney proceeded to throw incriminations back on the investigator and told him Ms. Moon retired to Antigua because

AlexWe received news this morning that the guns were delivered to our connection in Mexico. Corbin kept his word. With the added stress over the past few days, the unwanted images continue to play in my head. I’ve worked out, meditated, and worked out again. Yesterday with Celina helped more than all the cardio and weights combined. She’s my temporary cure. The picture of my father came out of nowhere. It’s happened before and caused problems. Moon extricated me from one very bad situation. I think he’s known for years that I hide something deeper behind an easy smile or a joke. I refuse to discuss it with him. He’ll think I’m insane. Hell, I most likely am. There’s been no word on Danita and our frustration builds. She’s gone to ground and I know she couldn’t do it without help. We also don’t have a date on the return of Manuel’s body. The Feds had a sit-down with Moon and his attorney yesterday afternoon. Moon said nothing and let his attorney speak for him. The last thing we nee

CelinaMy gaze jerks to the woman. Her eyes are open and lifeless. Gabriella walks over to me as I stand and use the wall for support. “I will take care of your mother, Señorita. Attend your man.”Gabriella is crying. I look between her and my mom, whose expression is panicked. She has a struggling Kiley in a death grip. “Mom, go with Gabriella. Alex needs me.” Some of the shock leaves my mom’s face and she nods. I don’t watch the women leave because my focus is on Alex.I sink to my knees beside him. “Hold this here and use as much pressure as you can. We need to get him into the other room where we have supplies,” the man who removed his jacket says. I press down on Alex’s chest as told.Another man enters the house. “We’re clear. The house is secure.” He looks at Alex and the woman. “Danita must have snuck into the car with Gabriella. Dr. Santos is on his way. He said to call an ambulance if we can’t wait for him.”The man beside me speaks again. “We’re moving him to the other room

AlexI’m in pain. My entire chest and my fucking leg hurt. My eyes are blurry. A warm hand settles on my shoulder and I blink a few times so I can see Moon’s face. He looks concerned as I attempt to place bits and pieces together in my brain.“Celina,” I say in a throaty voice that doesn’t sound like mine.“She’s fine. So is Kiley and Mrs. Thomas. Celina will be back in here shortly and she’ll be relieved that you’re awake.”“How long has it been?” I try to lift my arm, but it hurts my chest too badly.“Two days since you were shot.”“Fuck.” I close my eyes and try to remember what happened. “Danita?”“Dead.”“Is anyone else injured? Gabriella?”“No, just you.”I close my eyes and the slideshow plays in my head. Each scene one I never want to relive. Celina’s huge eyes when she grabs Kiley from me. Going to my knee after Danita shot me in the leg. Trying to cover Celina and her niece. The fury in Gabriella’s eyes. The smoke that filled the hallway.No, never again.“How did she get in

Four months later: Alex The meeting with Dax went as well as can be expected. His men don’t trust us. I trust Dax and not them, so I understand. The terms we settled on will benefit us all. I didn’t think Dax could pull his club out of the meth trade, but it looks like he’s done it. We are investing heavily in medical marijuana farms here in Arizona. Dax is joining us. It will be legal for everyone in the next few years and not just those with a prescription. The suppliers involved in the medical end will have a head start when that happens. Madison is a big reason that we’re slowing down our illegal drug operation.She’s changed us all.I’ve never asked Dax what became of Kiley’s mom. I looked around the clubhouse today and didn’t see anyone who resembled a grownup version of Kiley. I never knew the woman’s name. Why the hell should I expect some meth-head woman to actually look like Kiley is beyond me, but I had to look.My sister informed me by telephone that Kiley was adopted qui