I look to my right just as my brother opens the passenger door and gets in my car. He reeks of sex and I don't bother hiding my disdain as I do a once-over of his ruffled state.

"Can you go two hours without being inside of a cunt?" I knock my sunglasses down from my head to the bridge of my nose and press on the gas, taking off.

Felix leans backs in his seat and starts going through his pockets. "I could but why should I?"

Again, his logic makes an unfortunate amount of sense. I shake my head and keep my eyes on the road.

After driving in ten minutes of silence Felix lights up a blunt and takes a hit. He gets bored too easily and always needs some shit to distract him. He's not the kind of man that can sit alone with his thoughts. I blindly reach a hand out and he places the blunt between my fingers. I hang on to it because we'll arrive at our destination any moment now and then I'll take a hit myself. Fucked up as I may be, I wouldn't risk my life driving when I'm under the influence.

My wife's comment comes to mind about me getting hit by a car and I feel the same conflicting surge of amused and irritated. Fuck, that woman has a mouth on her. Always defying me at every turn and making this marriage unnecessarily harder than it is. In the past twenty-four hours alone, I haven't felt even a fraction of a moment where I didn't regret marrying her. I'd take that shit back in a fucking heartbeat.

"How's the married life?" Felix drawls, reading my mind. Though it's not exactly a challenge. I'm quite certain the scowl on my face says it all.

"Not worth wasting out breath over," I respond evenly and put my car into park.

Felix blows a string of smoke out into the winter air as he steps out and I follow suit, finally taking that hit. The smoke fills my lungs and I exhale slowly. Fuck, I needed that. I've done nothing but fight with my wife since yesterday and I'm in danger of throwing her ass out to the streets if she doesn't reign that fucking attitude in. I'm not even surprised she's Ferrera's daughter. They're both the same kind of cancer and seem destined to poison my life.

Felix chuckles at whatever expression I'm wearing. "That bitch is giving you hell, isn't she? Shouldn't have kicked me out of our house."

Though I know he's joking, I glare at him. I'm too high-strung for my brother's broken sense of humour. "It's the last thing I wanted to do. You living with us is going to make it impossible for  her to follow orders and stay under my roof. I'm barely managing keeping her where she is anyway."

"I fucking know, Knox," he snaps, losing his humour too. "I hate this as much as you."

I know he does. I look away and take another hit before letting the blunt fall on Ferrera's lawn and stomping it out. It's been a shit day and it's only eight in the fucking morning. The last thing I want to do is see Ferrera's miserable ass but we have business. The sooner I get this meeting over with, the sooner I can get away from any and all Ferrera's.

"How was the stakeout?" I hear Felix ask.

Axel comes into view, bodyguard of our family and my right-hand man. Motherfucker has a mean looking face, ruthless fighting skills, and about as much emotion as a doorknob. He's got tattoos all over his body like a goddamn colouring book and if that isn't enough to scare most people away, his cold and dead expression usually does the trick. I only hired him because he's equally fucked up as Felix and I which means I can trust him. He's been working with us since we were incarcerated and hasn't let me down. Yet.

He shrugs. "Nothing worth mentioning."

"That seems to be today's theme." Felix cracks his neck from side-to-side. "Let's greet our best friend and get this over with."

Axel raises a brow. "I'm surprised you can joke about this."

Axel is well aware of the bad history between my brother and I are Ferrera. He's the only one in on what's really happening here and where we intend to take this. Goes to show how much we actually trust the fucker.

Felix spits on the lawn, his grin full of disdain. "It's the only way to keep myself from carving him open inch by inch."

Axel's gaze meets mine briefly. We all kill because we have to but Felix is arguably the only one who would kill for sport. His threats are never empty and his follow through always promised. It's why both of us need to be here with him. Leaving Felix alone for even a second means another dead body on our hands. We're good at keeping that shit under the radar but Ferrera's death is one we can't afford yet.

Felix gets to the door first and starts kicking it. I bite back a sigh. Felix will do anything to rile Ferrera up. The resounding thumping from his heeled boot is enough to wake this whole damn neighbourhood up.

"Rise and shine, you cocksucker! Get this fucking open."

The door swings open right then and Ferrera's raging gaze lands of Felix. My brother isn't the least bit deterred and stares him down with equal fury, towering over him with shoulders pushed back. Finally, after a few strained seconds, Ferrera looks away and clears his throat. He looks curiously at Axel and then back between the three of us, He knows damn well he's getting his ass kicked if he tries anything so he pushes the door open and stalks back inside the house. There's attitude in every step he takes and so much fucking arrogance.

"I don't like the feel of him," Axel sneers, watching his retreating back.

I scoff as the three of us step inside and follow Ferrera to wherever the fuck he's going. "Then your instincts are well intact. That's more than the rest of the mafia can say."

"They really trust him?"

"He's consigliere and a damn good actor."

"They're idiots if that's all it takes."

I almost laugh. His statement is both amusing and frustrating for its accuracy. The world is so fucking blind.

Ferrera opens the door, old Victorian woodwork and tiled glass on the front, to an area that's well furnished and quiet. He walks straight to the single-seat couch and falls into it with an impatient breath, gesturing at the long chaise lounge across from him. Felix and I take our seats but Axel remains standing beside us, arms crossed while he looks around the room observantly. He knows his involvement ends at our safety and not the context of this meeting.

"Well?" Ferrera urges.

Well, indeed. I lean back and get comfortable. "How's the investigation going?"

"Promising," he snips. I can tell he doesn't like our dynamic of clearly having to answer to me. It's too bad I don't give a single fuck. "We have new intel."

"Elaborate."

"Evidence suggests your doors were left unlocked around the time of the murder. That means anyone could have gone in or out. If you would provide me with an alibi then I can pursue this lead."

"You can pursue it without an alibi," I counter. "We weren't there and that's fucking that."

His jaw visibly works. "You are only making this harder for yourself. Do you want to prove your innocence or not?"

"I want you to prove it because that's what you promised. Are you sure you want to know what happens if you cross me?"

His nostrils flare with the next breath he takes in. Like he can read my mind, he asks, "How is my daughter?"

"Alive."

"You better not have fucking touched her—"

"I'll stop you right there." I hold a hand up, smirking. "You know what happens between a married couple on their wedding night. Do you really want to draw the details out?"

Both Felix and Axel glance at me. It's bullshit and they should know that. But I know the thought of me laying my hands on his daughter would boil Ferreira's blood and it's all too satisfying when he proves me right, fingers tightening over the armrest.

"You will not hurt her," he seethes. "You gave me your word and you will do well to keep it. You might have a few cards in your hands but so do I. Is it wise to cross the man who holds your innocence in his hands?"

The corner of my mouth twitches. He genuinely thinks I'm afraid. I don't give a fuck about the investigation. I already know the truth. Ferrera is just on a wild goose chase so he's too distracted to realize we're the ones on his ass. He thinks he's one step ahead of me, rather than five behind. I fucking love mind games.

"I won't hurt her," I assure him anyway because his cooperation is vital. "Unless you give me a reason to."

"I won't."

"We'll see."

His jaw flexes again and he looks down at the floor. Intuition tells me he doesn't want me to see the look on his face. He is about to be vulnerable.

"I would like to see her."

There it is.

I check the time on my watch, appearing as bored as I am. I need to be done here and I don't have the patience for his whiny ass.

"You saw her at the wedding yesterday."

"That was before she spent a day at the hands of you. I'd like to see her now."

"Is it life or death?"

"With you? Very much."

"You flatter me." I tilt my head. "Are you really so scared?"

His face hardens the moment he realizes his mistake and he takes a new route. "She will want to see me. You've probably caused her more anguish than she can take. What if she tries to run away while she's at work?"

"What if indeed. I forbid her from working."

He pauses, blinking. The surprise on his face is comical. "You what?"

"She will no longer be working. She will remain under my roof where I can keep an eye on her."

And then his face contorts and I don't think I've ever seen him so furious. "Culo! She loves her job. Why would you take away the one thing that makes her happy?"

I can't help but eye him for a moment. He seems genuinely enraged but I wonder about the true reasons for that. "I believe it's none of your business."

"She is my daughter!"

"And she is my wife. Are we done here?"

He stands up, visibly breathing harder. "I'm coming to see her."

I stand up too and stalk over to him. I'm about a head taller than him at six foot three and enjoy how he has to physically look up at me, asshole that I am.

"You will stay away from her. I don't trust you to refrain from pulling some bullshit that will cost us our deal."

"Are you really so scared?" He tosses my words back to me. I'm undeterred.

"No. Just a fuck of a lot smarter than you."

Behind me, Felix snorts. It's the only sound he's made this entire meeting but I know that has more to do with the weed crashing into his system than his own self-control. He doesn't have the latter.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing." Ferrera bumps his chest into mine. My hand twitches on its own as if my body is commanding me to deck this fucker out. It's something of a miracle that I've gone this long without succumbing to that particular desire. "You're keeping her away for as long as you can, dangling her like bait to ensure I do your dirty work. You're a bastard to have ever gotten her involved in our business."

Only that last declaration was correct but I don't bother telling him that. He can think what he wants and drive himself to the brink of insanity for all I care.

"You got me," I nod in all seriousness. "See you around, father-in-law."

"Unfortunately," Felix mutters. Apparently one blunt isn't enough for his system anymore. Just how much has he pushed it?

The sound of light steps descend and get louder. My gaze has already shifted toward the common area just outside this room when a young girl comes into view. Immediately I recognize her as Mariana's sister but only because I saw her at the wedding. Their looks differ. Her hair is a lighter brown, almost a dirty blonde, and her eyes aren't like Ferrera's or my wife's. They're more of a moss green. I suppose some features are similar but I don't pay enough attention to my wife to pinpoint which ones.

"What..." she trails off when she sees us, innocent eyes widening. They jump from me, to Felix, to Axel, and then they stay there. Her mouth parts and out comes a small, "oh."

I can't help side-eyeing Axel. He doesn't react to the little one and looks away with disinterest back to me. "We ready to go?"

I nod.

"Wait," Ferrera's youngest blurts before we can even take a step. She holds her hands in front of her and her eyes plead with mine. "Would it be okay with you if I visited Maria soon? Please? I've never gone this long without seeing her."

I raise a brow at her take on convincing me. "It's been one day."

Her shrug is sheepish. "I know. But I really miss her."

I'm not convinced. "No."

Her face falls but she's not done yet. I watch as she walks over to me tentatively. Brave little thing, but in this world bravery is a luxury innocent girls like her can't afford. Just what the fuck is she thinking? She's Ferrera's blood too which means she won't ever be getting any mercy from me. She should know that much.

"Please," she tries again softly. "I see how close you and your brother are. Maria and I are like that too. Please don't keep us apart."

Felix chuckles and she jumps, gaze flickering to him. To my surprise she takes a step toward me, as if she expects me to, what, protect her?

"I see emotional manipulation runs in this god-forsaken family." Felix tilts his head. "What's your name?"

"Alessandra." She crosses her arms nervously.

"Alessa," Ferrera interrupts and comes to his daughter's side. He puts his hands on her arms and guides her a few steps back. Though he lowers his voice, we can hear him in the tense silence. "Go back upstairs, vita mia. I don't want you around these men."

Her eyes narrow on her father. "Then why did you give Maria to them?"

Felix meets my gaze and one of his brow is up in a rare show of impress. I share the same sentiment. She's not as stupid as she first appeared.

"Upstairs, please." Ferrera kisses Alessa's forehead. "Please. We can talk later."

Her mouth pinches in obvious disagreement but she nods, casting one final look my way. My expression doesn't waver and when her shoulders slump, she understands I won't change my mind. At least this one is more tame than her loudmouth sister.

She heads for the stairway again and watches us as she ascends. I notice her eyes briefly flick to Axel again before she quickly looks away and disappears from sight.

"Keep the investigation going," I order and motion for my brother and Axel to follow me. "Next time I expect better results or you can forget about having my cooperation."

"Poor Maria," Felix goads and thumps Ferrera's arm a little too hard. I think his answering grunt is satisfying for us all. "Time is ticking old man."

That it fucking is.

As soon as I enter my house exactly twelve hours later, I catch a glimpse of my wife pacing before she stops and pins me with a murderous glare. Her attitude immediately sparks mine because what in the fuck is her problem now?

"You told Alessa and my father that they can't see me?" She seethes.

"Do you ever give it a fucking rest?" I question in all seriousness, my tone as bored as I feel.

"I called her and she was crying," she accuses. She stalks up to me and pushes me back. It does catch me off guard so I go back one step before catching myself. "You have me fucking locked in here under your watch and now you won't even let me see my family? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

She's panting from her rage. I've only ever seen this woman mad. And it progressively gets worse when she shoves me again. I'm too fucking tired to excuse her shit anymore.

It's my turn to catch her off guard when I grab her wrists lightening fast and turn us around, pushing her back into the door. She snaps out of her initial shock and struggles against my grip that's pinning her arms behind her back but to no avail. She's half my size for Christ's sake. She can't do shit. I get right in her face and say with a voice of steel, "Don't ever fucking put your hands on me."

"Or what?" She whispers harshly. "What could I possibly have to lose anymore?"

"You think you've lost?" My cheek pulls on one side with a faint smile. "I haven't even begun to show you how much you can lose."

Her blazing blue eyes search mine. "I'm doing everything you've asked of me. What are you punishing me for? That year in jail? Because I will gladly have you toss me behind bars and pay my dues that way if you want revenge so bad. Anything is better than being your wife."

It's borderline amusing how much she hates me. Every time I push, she just pushes back. At least she has one trait she doesn't get from Ferrera. I like it about her as much as I hate it because it makes her an absolute pain in my ass, but one I reluctantly respect. When I chose her, I expected a meek girl who would be background noise more than anything. Mariana is loud, front and centre, and a force to be reckoned with. And why the actual fuck am I singing her praises for? It's been a long fucking day and I'm clearly losing my mind.

I release my hold on her and take a step back. Her arms immediately hug her own body, one I notice way too often for my liking.

"How was your day?" I finally ask her.

She blinks, clearly not expecting that. A few beats of silence pass before she speaks. "What?"

I gave her credit far too soon. Figures. "It's a simple question."

The fire in her eyes comes back instantly, as I knew it would. "Fine. I didn't do shit."

"And you survived. Look at that. So how about you stop being so goddamn dramatic about my orders?"

"Unbelievable," she laughs tonelessly.

She shoulders past me and goes upstairs like her ass is on fire. I watch her until she disappears from sight.

She can hate me all she wants as long as she never realizes I need her to win this game. The most valuable pieces usually don't know how valuable they are. And my wife, prize daughter of the consigliere, is my ticket to freedom.

She's untouchable. The princess of her kingdom. And I'm the villain who's going to burn her tower down.

__________________________

A/N

And things just get more suspenseful, don't they? I want to ask that you guys trust that all of this comes together in one huge plot. It's not just me writing an asshole MC because I think they're fun and hot and that I love when guys are mean for no reason!!! Yeah, that's just not my style.

Those of you who've read all of my work know that already. The new readers will catch on soon.

New introductions have also been made! First impressions on Axel? I love him.

Please VOTE, comment and share if you liked this chapter!

Happy Reading :)