Chapter 2

I stepoff my Gulf Stream and inhale the sweet smell of the ocean. I look out over the Pacific and smile. The Mediterranean Sea just doesn’t compete with the vastness of the blue waters in front of me.

The waves crashing on the beach give me a moment of reprieve from my angry thoughts.

I fumed on the first leg of my trip. Palmero to New York in coach using my fake ID so no one could track me. But then I stopped off at my studio apartment in Manhattan to check on things. I thought I would rest overnight before returning to LA, but what I found could not wait.

Lucas “King” Cole has been meddling in my affairs.

He’d reopened my club, excepting and processing shipments for distribution, all under the guise of being my husband. The Pearly Gates has long been a front for my Familia.

A man was not meant to run it.

I rub a sore spot on my belly and coo at the ever-growing bump. Our child kicks me harder, and I frown, thinking he’s sticking up for their father.

I sigh and turn to the limo waiting for me.

The back door opens, and I reach for my gun. Since no one should know I’m back, whoever is getting out to greet me can’t be friendly. To my utter shock, Lucia steps out and places her hands on her hips.

“Are you gonna shoot me?” I lower my weapon and stare at her.

“Of course not. I’m just surprised to see you. Is everything ok?” I step forward to hug her, but she stops me with a raised hand.

“You’re pregnant,” Now it’s her turn to stare.

I chuckle softly as I rub the belly that enters the room before me nowadays.

“So you are married then?” My mood sorrows instantly.

“Fuck no.” Not that I would mind being married to the father of my child.

I just find it bad form to announce he’s my husband before without asking me first.

“I’m confused. You close up the club. Leave town. Some stronzo reopens your club and starts running pills, and here you are, looking like you’ve been on an extended vacation.” Shit.

“I’m here to fix it,” I swear to her, and she frowns.

“You’re with child. I’ll handle it.” I shake my head because her version of ‘handling it’ means Lucas will be dead by morning.

“No,” She stops getting back into the limo and raises an eyebrow at me.

I’ve never challenged the system. No one would ever refuse an order.

“It’s my club, my city, and my responsibility. I have it covered.” She looks me over closely and then sighs.

“You love him. Is he the father?” I swallow hard and nod once.

“One week, Gianna. I don’t want any more bodies in the morgue from the drugs coming out of your club.” She slams the door shut, and the limo speeds off.

Another pulls up, taking its place, and the driver comes around to open my door for me.

While he loads the luggage, I pull up the local news station and frown as I watch a video of last night’s evening news.

brEAKING NEWS

Sources close to the Mayor have confirmed a series of deaths that the coroner’s office are all due to a new street drug that police are calling Blue Surf.

Four bodies have been found at local music festivals over the last three weeks, all testing positive for the substance.

The drug is reported to target the limbic system, increasing dopamine levels and causing a high, similar to an orgasm.

The drug is literally killing people with pleasure.

I turn off my phone once the driver gets back behind the wheel.

“Where to miss?” I tap my phone on my knee.

I’m exhausted. I need food and rest, but I must get this under control quickly.

“The Pearly Gates.” He chuckles, and when he sees me look at my face through the rearview mirror, he promptly stops.

“What’s so funny?” I ask with barely controlled rage.

“Nothing, ma’am. You just don’t look the type, is all. With you pregnant and all.” I roll my eyes at his simple-minded response to a woman asking to go to a strip club.

“I own it. So watch your mouth.” His eyes bug out, and he shakes his head.

“Nah, are you the King Pins girl?” Who?

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He snorts.

“Right, lady.” He raises the partition, but not before I hear him start talking on his phone.

“I got some rich bitch in my limo claiming to own the Pearly Gates…”

I go over the name he asked, and then it hits me.

“Fucking Lucas.”