Amara (Reapers MC #12) - Elizabeth Knox Page 0,2

debate on whether or not they would’ve been together, or if their break-up was inevitable. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter, because I was the one who ruined it. I suppose I’m good at fucking things up.

If they don’t come for me, I wouldn’t blame them. How could I? Not with everything I’ve done.

I hurt far too many people and I’ll continue to be a black cloud on others’ lives for the rest of my life— no matter if I have three hours or three years.

No matter what happens, I need to make peace with it.

I’m Amara Raines, and I’m no angel.

Chapter One

Choke them on the ashes of the dreams they burned

~ Unknown

Dante

Present Day . . .

“Hard to believe it’s Independence Day, no?” Gia slurrs, stalking towards me. She’s on her third or fourth drink. To be honest, I’ve lost count.

“No, I simply pay attention to the calendar. Unlike you.” I retort.

“Oh stop being a party pooper, hermano.” Gia whines, switching from our second language to our native tongue.

“I’m not, simply being accurate.” I attempt to poke the bear, making my way toward the balcony of the new home I’ve purchased here in Chihuahua. Our father had acquired a home here a couple years ago, then underwent the legal ways to make it his and sold it for an incredible profit. Though, he resides in Mexico City and wants a liaison here. I offered to stay behind and so I’ve purchased this lovely abode.

My younger sister Gia lives in Las Vegas most of the time because she’s the owner of a multi-million dollar company called Crave, LLC. She owns it with a few of her close friends. That being said, she isn’t one to discuss familia business.

“Why do you always have to be a dick whenever I come to visit you, hmm?”

I turn to face her head on and cock a brow. “You don’t come here to visit me. You only want the free drinks down in the city!” I hiss.

My dear sister and I were so close growing up, but over the last ten years or so we’ve both lost touch. It was my fault. Ten years ago I decided to support my father in his cause to get Rafael Ramírez out of the Capo seat. He was the corrupt individual in charge of leading the entire industry. Thankfully, he’s been removed from his duties for a couple years now. We had some help with a few allies and were successful. Now my father has gone above and beyond to right the wrongs of his predecessor.

Now don’t get me wrong. We’re not angels. We’re very much involved in drugs, murder, and much more . . . however, we don’t cross lines unless we have to. Rafael would slaughter children in front of their parents for fun. He didn’t give a flying fuck what he did, and faced no repercussions for it.

There’s only one reason a man like that is successful in keeping their power— he strikes so much fear into everyone under his reign that they never doubt him. They never have the courage to rise up against him.

My familia does things differently. While my father isn’t a man to fuck with, he will instill fear and respect into his subjects. My father is the leader of the Mexican Cartel, however, everyone believes our cousin Eduardo Lopez is running things while my father runs for governor of Mexico City. His goal is to become the President of Mexico and after his term is up, put someone within the Cartel in higher positions of the government. It’s a good plan considering it’ll take many of our problems away.

My cousins, Eduardo, Juan and Daniel as well as myself are my father’s highest level Capos. We have other Capos in charge of other territories of Mexico, however we don’t hold the same amount of trust in them. We make up the inner circle so to speak. My father and Eduardo have been doing a great job at their charade, but all good things must come to an end eventually.

“Alright, but I do come to see you too. I may live in Las Vegas but it doesn’t mean I can frolic around and do whatever I want. I work, and I work hard.” Gia explains. She must know how proud I am of her for paving her own way in life. She didn’t take a hand out from our father, when most mafia princesas would.

“I know you do, Gia. I