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I felt raw Exposed I didn’t knohy

Then I was crying again Or had I stopped? Had I been continuously crying this whole ti? That was kinda badass… or wasn’t it?

Everything was starting to swiain

I didn’t knoas going on

Until Raize’s voice was soft “You asked how I knew Estrada?”

The ground was starting to settle, a little

I heard more, “The sister he mentioned? I know her because she’s mine, too”

My head snapped up What?!

26

Ash

He stepped back, standing “She’s my half-sister—same mother Her other half is Estrada’s father He took my mother as a mistress—didn’t care what family she had to leave My dad’s fro down in Oaxaca” He paused “He was there for the surfing, met my mom down there Estrada’s father knew ht He did kill rew up in foster care, went into the army, and when I could, I went in search of my mom Met my sister for the first time My mom kneho I was the second I showed up Morales He runs the Morales cartel Estrada was considered a bastard until he just took over another cartel No one gave a fuck to question where he came from Morales stepped back, let his son take power in the next region—because he considered Estrada his But Estrada wasn’t They hate each other, but they also love each other The two cartels are linked by blood, and no one knows except the leaders When I showed up, I got a job for Morales My sister grew fond ofbrother to her My mom freaked and sent me to Marco I don’t knohen my sister found out who I was, but at some point, she went to him She told him, asked that I be allowed into the fah so I could see his eyes flash Hard “He sent a hit squad after ot out and went north to the States, as far north as I could I needed protection, and at the right time, Roman Marakov found me He found me He recruited rew more, just more I didn’t knohat he was before, intent? But it was otta talk to ave your sister’s na into with you I can’t see the landmines if I don’t knohere to look for them”

I stared at him, overwhelmed by what he’d shared, but I couldn’t respond

A lu

His sister was alive I didn’t know if mine was

“What’s your real name?” he asked

I could not go there I would not “Ash”

“Bullshit What’s your real name?”

“Miriam”

His eyes went flat “What’s your real name?”

I continued, “Sandra”

“You’re lying”

I didn’t wait to be asked again “Melanie”