For a split second he was transported back to the day she was pulled o
ut of his arms. Her screams for help filling the air. The utter failure he experienced at knowing he didn’t fight hard enough. He’d only been a boy.
Only, the eyes he stared back were no longer filled with fear. She held a garrote. The man, one of his hits, had it wrapped around his neck and was choking to death. She didn’t even look as if she was fighting all that hard to take the life from him. Seconds passed, and Widow Maker smiled at him. Graciella Moreno.
“Hello, brother mine. Long time, no see.”
The man in her arms collapsed. She let him go.
He dropped to the floor dead.
“Graciella.”
She wrinkled her nose. “It has been a long time since I was called that name. I go by Widow Maker, if people live long enough to say it, Xavier.”
“I’ve been looking for you all over.”
“Not very hard. I’ve been around for a long time. Enough to see the mistakes you’re making.”
“What the hell happened to you?”
“A lot of things. Stuff I don’t talk about. We can’t talk here. This is a hot zone, and I want to live. I know Boss led you here and all, but this is my kill. He’s an interfering bastard. If he thinks for a second, I’m going to do what he wants, he’s got another think coming.” Before he could react, Graciella moved past him.
There was no way he couldn’t follow her.
“Don’t even think of getting rid of me,” Alesha said. “We’ve been apart too long. Besides, I’d really like to get to know your sister before she kills you.”
“She’s not going to kill me.”
“I hate to break it to you, Xavier, but she looked pissed off.”
Ignoring Alesha, he held her hand and followed Graciella out of the building. She’d killed the other hit smoothly without anyone even noticing. The body slumped in the corner looking as if he’d drunk too much.
His sister was an expert. No wonder Boss didn’t have a problem following after her. She’d fit right in at Killer of Kings.
“I’ll follow you to your home,” Graciella said.
“We can meet at a coffee shop.” He didn’t want her to go. This was the first time he’d seen his sister in ages. She was a woman now, strong, nothing like he remembered.
“Not safe. I’ve got to change, and right now, I need to blend. I’ll be at your home at five.” Graciella turned on her heel, about to go.
“Don’t,” he said. “Don’t go.”
Graciella sighed. “I don’t have time for all this neediness, Xavier. You see me. I’ve been alive a long time. Believe me, I know how to take care of myself. I don’t need my brother attempting to do that. I’ll meet you back at your place.”
He watched her go.
Alesha was still by his side.
The mission completed.
His world put right and once again in fucking turmoil.
“Xavier?”
“Come on, let’s get you home before Boss decides to change his fucking mind.” He wouldn’t put it past that son of a bitch to make him pay somehow.
She didn’t argue with him as he helped her in the car.