Venomous King (Venom #2)

22. Diego

Chapter twenty-two

Diego

“Leave your life behind for love if your heart desires. But have no high expectations.”

Mitta Xinindlu

I should have never agreed to this shit. I’m getting soft, losing my edge, and allowing Issy to control me, when I fucking own her . The thought races through my mind as I watch Julia riding her bright pink tricycle in the driveway of Kai and Issy’s colonial-style house, while four of my men sit across the street in a black SUV loaded with weapons, and keep watch.

What the fuck am I doing in bum-fuck, Oregon? A huge sigh leaves me in frustration as I lean against one of the thick, white porch columns, my arms folded across my chest, and my Glock digging into my lower back. I’m a criminal, I don’t belong here. I don’t do white picket fences and barbecues with the neighbors. I don’t drink coffee on the porch first thing in the morning, or cut the grass. Fuck me, right now, and my irrational need to have Issy Stratford. My life is entirely upside down now. Dammit, I even sound like a petulant child right now, I sound like fucking Kai.

“ Papi (daddy) , are you watching?“ Julia yells as she takes both hands off the handlebars, and pedals like a maniac in circles, her little pink bike helmet shining in the sunlight. Oh, that’s right. I’m domesticated now, and a family man. I’m a fucking wuss, and Issy thinks she has me pussy whipped. As much as I love her pussy, and all the rest of her holes, she doesn’t control me, it’s the other way around, or at least it fucking used to be.

Jesus fuck, how did this become my life in just a few short weeks? When I got that note from Carter, I never imagined that this was where I would end up. I thought that I would recapture my missing Princesa , drag her off somewhere by the throat to punish her with my cock for ever daring to leave me, and then lock her up in a fucking cage like my pet. Instead , I got the surprise of a lifetime, not only was my beautiful broken doll about to marry some asshole pretty boy, but I found out I have a mini version of me and Issy. And now I find myself in this hellhole, waving back at neighbors, going to the grocery store with Kai and Julia, and sitting down to dinner as if we’re one big happy, unconventional family.

This is the twilight zone, and I’m stuck inside of it. I need to fix this somehow, but the question is how? I’m not willing to walk away from Issy, ever, and I refuse to cause my daughter any unnecessary pain or anxiety, hence allowing the cunt, Kai, to keep drawing breath. I’m stuck, and I absolutely hate the feeling.

At least I got to let out some of my aggravation on the mail carrier earlier, when I spied him staring at Issy’s ass, while she pulled weeds from her planters on the porch. I waited ’til the fucker made it down the street, and Issy went inside to make Julia’s lunch, and then I followed him and broke his nose and arm. Let’s just say he won’t be delivering shit for a while, and when he does, he won’t want this route back.

“Don’t you have anything to wear that isn’t black? You’re starting to freak out the neighbors with your grim reaper look,” the smug bastard asks me while he stands there in his stupid striped blue and white polo shirt, and khaki cargo shorts, and hands me a bottle of his pretentious small-batch beer. Fucking Boy Scout. Even his damn beer is pompous, but still tastes delicious, not that I would ever tell him that. I would rather choke on my own tongue.

“You’re just jealous, ’cause you look like some pretty boy, while I have all your neighbors’ wives creaming their panties, and wanting to take me for a ride.“ I take a sip of the beer and allow my lips to quirk up in a snarl.

“Sure, let Isabella hear you say that and see what happens.” His words remind me of what happened a few days ago, when she and I went to drop off Julia at a playdate in one of the local centers, and one of the other moms flirted with me and tried to touch my chest.

I honestly never saw Issy as the unhinged jealous type, but I was pleasantly surprised and amused when she grabbed the other woman’s hand and bent two of her fingers back, while getting in her face and letting her know exactly who I belonged to. The whole interaction was so hot that I fucked her pussy in the back seat of Kai’s SUV, before we even left the parking lot. I also made sure to send Kai a short video of Issy screaming my name while I filled her with cum.

“Daddy! Papi! Look at me! Look how brave I am!“ Julia does another lap while Kai and I watch her. She reminds me of me when I was little. I was never afraid of anything. My cousin Mateo and I used to drive my mother insane, with all the batshit crazy stunts we used to pull. I even broke my arm on a tricycle, similar to the one Julia’s trying to pop wheelies on.

“You know we can’t just give into everything she wants, right? She’s already pretty spoiled, thanks to fucking Stella and Mia. She’s going to be a handful as she gets older.” A shudder runs through him at his statement. I know the fucker’s right, but there is no way that I will be the one to make my little cherub cry, or agree with anything he says, out of spite. Whatever she wants, I’ll make sure she gets it, and if anyone tries to hurt her, I’ll make sure that person stops breathing.

The mention of Stella’s name brings a grimace to my face. Fuck that ice queen bitch . She’s the reason I’m in all this mess to begin with. If she hadn’t interfered, I wouldn’t have had to kidnap Issy in the first place, and we could have been married and raising Julia together, instead of now having a third fucking wheel in our bed. Not that Issy seems to mind much, when all her holes are constantly filled with cum, and she’s screaming our names until she loses her voice. Fuck, and now I have a semi while standing near this asshole. I drag my fingers through my hair and yank on the strands, hoping the pain will help distract me from any more lascivious thoughts of Issy’s pretty pussy.

“Julia will be the queen of two empires, mine and the Stratford line. There is nothing she will ever want for in life, and if she ends up being a little spoiled in the process, I don’t see the problem.” I give him a condescending glare. “She has enough ruthless family members to back her up. Plus, I have a feeling my little girl is about to give this whole world a run for its money, either that or set it ablaze.”

“ Our little girl , Diego. When are you going to get it through that thick, fucking skull that neither of them are just yours? I’m not going anywhere, you psychopath.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him what empire he brings to the table, but instead, I don’t bother to respond. I’m still trying to figure out how to get rid of the prick, and make it look like some unfortunate accident. Maybe I can even kill two birds with one stone, and pin the evidence on Stella, so Issy parts ways with her grandmother for good.

“Whatever is going through your mind right now, just know Isabella isn’t naive or stupid. She’ll know you were behind it, if something happens to me.” I roll my eyes at his accusation. Now the fucker is a mind reader on top of being a preppy fuck.

“When is the bitch queen getting here?” I don’t know how I allowed both Issy and this fucker to talk me into allowing Stella to come here and see Julia. Never mind Issy’s demand that I make peace with her grandmother. Fuck that shit, I’ll make peace when she’s buried six feet underground with one of my bullets between her eyes.

“She should be here within the hour with her entourage, and don’t think for a second that Issy and I haven’t noticed how many of your men are hidden around the house, Diego. No one knows who we are. Issy and I made sure of that. There is no fucking threat here; you were the only threat we had, prick .”

His words do nothing to alleviate the feelings of anxiousness at being in this place, out in the open, where any of my enemies could take us out. He thinks he’s safe here in this little beach town, because I was the one hunting them all these years. He doesn’t realize that Issy being a Stratford, and now Julia, being my child, paints a bullseye on both their backs. He’s delusional in his sense of safety, and I won’t allow my girls to get killed for his naivety.

Fuck, I should have told my father to send even more men. There might still be time if I hurry, since he’s hiding in town. He too, can’t stay away from his granddaughter, or maybe it’s the opportunity to see that fucking vicious, old queen that has brought him here?

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I push away from the column, giving him my back while I go try to convince my cherub to come inside, or at least don the pink bulletproof vest I had made for her. Dammit, I have never missed the jungle as much as I do now. These Stratford women, and their need to control their own fate, will be the death of us all.

“Where is she?” The loud demand is made as the sound of heels clacking on the hardwood floor stops outside the family room. Julia instantly jumps up from the floor she was busy coloring on and yells, “GAMMY!” Then, my little cherub races from the room with excitement.

Kai and I share a look that causes us to both grimace as we sit across from each other. If we can agree on nothing else, at least we both dislike Stella Stratford. I offered earlier to have her car bombed on the way here, but the prick shot me down, claiming that Issy would never forgive us. Pfff , I think it would just take a little time and a whole lot of orgasms on our part, and she’d forget her own name, but pretty boy wants to do the right thing . Asshole.

“Hello, my precious girl. Look at how you’ve grown! You are even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.” Stella’s voice practically makes my ears bleed as she praises my cherub.

“Gammy, did you know I have two daddies? Not four like Alexander and Caesar, but that’s okay. Maybe momma will add more.” The hell she will, I’ll murder anyone she tries to add to this already fucked up situation. I’m certainly not sharing her with more men.

“The fuck she will,” Kai mumbles under his breath, as he glares at the door. Dammit, look at us agreeing on more than one thing. Has hell fucking frozen over? Somebody better go check on the devil cause his bride is about to enter the room.

Issy gives us both warning glares from where she’s waiting to greet her grandmother. If I weren’t a strong man who can’t be intimidated by a little broken doll, my balls would shrivel up and hide from that look. “Behave,” she mouths.

Now why the fuck would I want to do that? It’s much more fun to antagonize the evil dragon entering the room. “I see you are still alive, you miscreant.” She glares at me before turning her icy glance on Kai. “And you, you did nothing to stop this situation? How could you let this happen? Pathetic .”

“Hello, grandmother. How wonderful it is to see you.” Issy approaches her grandmother and envelops her in her arms, and I get my first really good glance at Stella. Has she aged even more since the last time I saw her? The reminder of the meeting is still healing on my abdomen, which prompts me to repay her the courtesy, except I’ll make sure I cut off her viper head with my blade.

“Isabella Stratford, I raised you better, darling. You have picked weak and villainous men to stand by your side. It’s really unsightly, child. Allow me to dispose of them both and find you suitable replacements.” Stella’s cold, sapphire eyes meet mine, and I see the warning and promise in their depths. She would do it too; have both of us murdered, so she could marry Issy to whoever she believes is worthy of one of her princesses.

“Enough, Grandmother. No one will be replacing anyone. Haven’t you learned your lesson from what you experienced with Mia? You cannot choose who we love, and I love them both, regardless of your approval.”

Stella disentangles herself from Issy’s hold as she makes it further into the room, and I watch as her faithful shadow, Clark, places himself at her back, weapons strapped to his body, and his eyes trained on me. I guess I am still the threat. I want to preen like a peacock that Clark views me as dangerous. What does he think? I will try to murder her in this room while my little girl watches. Give me a little credit, asshole, I would wait until she was leaving and down the driveway, or Julia was already snugly tucked in bed.

“Julia, my sweet love. Gammy has bought you a bunch of new dollies and dresses. Why don’t you go look at them, so I can have a conversation with your mommy and, ugh, daddies.” The look of disgust that crosses Stella’s face, which she has to disguise for Julia’s benefit, brings me nothing but happiness.

Once my happy little girl skips away to see the gifts, Stella sits herself down in one of the armchairs like a queen ruling court, and I have to grind my teeth to avoid telling her to get the fuck out of my house. Is it my house too now? Who the fuck knows at this point?

“Grandmother, we have asked you here so that we can put the past behind us, and attempt to come to some sort of an agreement. One that all of us can live with.” Issy raises her hands instantly to stop her grandmother’s reply. “I know you disapprove, you have made your opinion painfully and loudly clear, and you know it won’t change my mind. I will not give up on either Kai or Diego. They are Julia’s fathers, plural.”

“I see you have chosen to forget all of the nightmares that criminal put you through in that jungle. How he kidnapped you and held you for months against your will. How he took you from your wedding at gunpoint!” Stella’s cold glare meets my own, and I refuse to look away. “He made you hide from your family, and the world, for fear of what he would do if he recaptured you. How can you just move past that, Isabella? He is a villain.”

“I have not chosen to forget any of it, and while everything Diego did to me by kidnapping me and keeping me a hostage was horrific, and it was HORRIFIC , Diego.“ Issy turns her irate glare on me. “I have chosen to look at the positives. He made me stronger. I am not that same weak girl, who could not stand on her own two feet, and had issues with addiction. He made me a survivor, and most importantly, he gave me Julia, and for that, I will always be grateful.” Well, fuck.

“I cannot so easily disregard the suffering that he caused, Isabella. I spent months fearing for your life, followed by months mourning you.”

“I understand, Grandmother, but that doesn’t change the fact that he will be in Julia’s and my life going forward. If you do not want to hinder your relationship with us, you must adapt. You will not attempt to have him murdered, and you will accept him as a part of our lives, and as Julia’s father.”

The miserable look on Stella’s face, and the uncomfortable one on her buddy Clark’s face, makes this whole shitshow almost worth it. I glance at Kai from the corner of my eye, and the prick is trying desperately to hide his amusement. Har, har, motherfucker , she doesn’t like you either.

“ Fine.” The word sounds wrenched from the bowels of hell, leaving her lips. “I will not attempt to murder him, and accept him as... one of your men.” Stella rolls her eyes, and the disdain comes off her in waves. “Really, you and your sister, and your need to have harems of men. In my day, one was enough. In fact, your grandfather Jaxon was so much trouble that even the thought of having more than one of him gives me hives.”

Stella’s face softens as she meets Issy’s glance, and I see all her love for her on display. Is Stella softening with age? “One condition, and I will not negotiate this. If you don’t all agree, I will continue the war with him, and have him murdered at the first opportunity; your wrath be damned, Isabella.”

I knew it was too good to be true, the old bitch has to get what she wants one way or another. “What is it that you are requesting, Stella?” Kai inquires, as he rests his elbows on his knees and meets her intense glare. He doesn’t flinch when her wrathful scowl turns in his direction. Brave fucker, might be hope for him yet. I’m still going to murder him though, eventually .

“Julia will carry the Stratford name, not Cabano, or yours. She is one of my heirs, and my name protects her.” Her cold eyes break from Kai’s glance and meet mine. “Your name puts a target on her back from your underworld dealings, and yours, Kai, offers nothing.”

Before I can object or rip her miserable, entitled throat out, my father clears his throat and enters the room. His eyes are instantly trained on Stella, and her breath hitches audibly. “ Hola, hermosa reina de hielo (hello, beautiful ice queen) .”

My eyes ping-pong back and forth between them in disbelief, at the sight before me, as they stare intently at each other. Is that a blush rising on Stella’s cheeks? Oh, hell no. Are these two attracted to each other? I might have to shoot the evil witch.

Fuck, I really have entered the twilight zone.

“We agree to your demand, grandmother.” Issy stares at me with a threatening look, and a promise that she will make me regret arguing later, but fuck that, I’m not a quitter.

“I’m offended at your words, Stella. Being a Stratford is not everything. Isabella was happier when she wasn’t one.” Kai scowls at Stella, who finally pries her eyes away from my father.

“Right now, being a Stratford is the most crucial thing in the world for Julia’s and Isabella’s futures; it ensures their protection, and security, from anything and anyone who would attempt to hurt them. I don’t expect you to understand, Kai. You came from a simpler life, and that hoodlum, all he knows is violence. I insist on Julia being named only as a Stratford.”

“ Hijo (son) , I agree with Stella on this. As much as it pains me not to have Julia carry our name, she will be safer from our enemies in the long run.“ My father moves further into the room, his eyes filled with emotion, as he implores me to concede in this matter. Fury fills me, and I feel like I’m losing control, and giving up something important to me. She’s my child. Mine. I don’t want her ever to feel like I didn’t claim her. I don’t want her to question if I love her because, in such a short time together, I have experienced the type of love with Julia I didn’t even know was possible.

“It’s settled, this is not up for discussion again,” Stella declares like a queen making a fucking proclamation, and I want to wrap my hands around her neck and strangle her immediately, but I see the slight lift of Issy’s lips; this makes her happy.

“ Hermosa reina (beautiful queen), will you do me the honor of joining Julia and me for some ice cream?“ My father nervously questions, his hand fiddling with his shirt. Ah, hell no. It’s on the tip of my tongue to deny that they can take Julia anywhere, when Stella nods, rises from the chair, and precedes my father out of the room, without a comment or a backward glance.

A chuckle sounds from the fucker across from me. “What, pretty boy?” I question menacingly. “Nothing, just pretty sure Stella is about to become your evil stepmother.”

That isn’t happening, no fucking way. I’ll set this whole world on fire, before I allow that bitch to get her dragon talons into my father.