Reina(queen)
Hi everyone,
I just want to take a moment to say how much I appreciate all of you! Your support, your time spent reading my work, and your thoughtful comments truly mean the world to me. I love hearing your thoughts and engaging with you—it keeps me motivated and excited to keep writing!
I also want to share something important: I strive to make my characters unique. Not every mafia boss has to fit the same mold—some can be caring, loving, and complex in ways you might not expect. If my take on these characters isn’t your style, that’s okay! But please, let’s keep things respectful.
I welcome feedback and love hearing what you’d like to see in my books, but constructive criticism goes a long way. I pour my heart into these stories for you all, and I just ask that my work be respected in return.
Thank you again for being part of this journey with me! I’d love to hear more of your thoughts, so please keep the comments coming. 💕
Much love, QueenJ
I guess you could say I’ve been in danger my whole life—I’m familiar with the smell and taste of it.
“Reina, get out of there.”
Swinging and dancing on a random pole disguised as a stripper wasn’t fun for me, nor was it my forte.
“Reina, can you hear me? Get out of there.”
“Not yet,” I said.
“Re—”
I yanked the earpiece out and stomped it into the ground.
“Wait for it… wait for it,” I mumbled to myself.
Boom! Boom!
“Now.”
Chaos erupted as gunfire rained down. The moment bullets started flying, I felt truly alive. I ducked behind a wall and ambushed one of the men from behind, disarming him and taking his gun.
I fled to the back door, but just as I pushed it open, strong arms seized me. A cloth covered my mouth, and darkness swallowed me whole.
When I woke up, I was moving—inside a vehicle.
After what felt like forever, the car stopped. I was carried once more. One moment, I felt the humid air outside; the next, I was inside a building.
A door creaked open, and I was dropped into a chair.
The cloth was ripped from my head.
“Stepdaddy?”
“Maybe you should listen to orders next time, niña(Babygirl),” Adam said, his tone sharp and authoritative.
“It was fun.”
“You could’ve gotten yourself killed.” His expression was deadly serious. “Now go put some clothes on, then meet me downstairs.”
I did as he said, heading upstairs to my room.
My stepfather married my mother a year before she introduced him to me. She hadn’t been sure he would love me, but he took me in like his own. I was just a toddler then.
What I didn’t know was that my mother had gotten herself into something dangerous. An accident—no, a setup—left her dead before Adam could save her. He took me under his care, trying to shield me from the life she had been a part of.
But I wasn’t a child anymore. I wanted to know who killed my mother. I wanted revenge.
At first, Adam refused. We fought about it. Then, eventually, he relented. It was my choice.
I know I should be afraid—knowing my mother died as the wife of a mafia man. But fear is for children. The only thing that helps me sleep is the thought of avenging her.
I pulled on jeans and a black T-shirt before heading downstairs.
The gang was gathered in the living room.
“Good, you’re here. Now I can talk,” Adam said. “This mission is dangerous. Risky. The police are already watching our movements—we need to be ready for anything.”
He laid out the plan. Their shipment would be coming in through transportation, but the cops were now guarding every vehicle. They needed three men on the job to ensure smooth delivery.
“I’ll explain the details later,” Adam continued.
“Good. What’s my job?” I asked.
“Your job is to stay here.”
“Come on—”
“Reina, I said no.” His voice was firm.
The others followed him into his office to finalize the details. I pouted. This wasn’t fair.
I snuck to the office door, pressing my ear against it.
“How will we get access?” Juan asked.
“You should be able to get a key card from one of the guards,” Adam replied.
“I’ll handle the guard, boss. The guys will take care of the rest,” Agustín added.
“You leave for the mission tomorrow,” Adam commanded.
I quickly backed away from the door as they exited.
“Reina, come here,” Adam called.
I swallowed and stepped forward. “Yes?”
“You know I hate when you eavesdrop on my business,” he said.
“It’s not fair.”
“It’s for the best. This has nothing to do with your mother. You should rest.”
“I still want to be included. I’m your family too.”
“This isn’t up for discussion. It’s too dangerous.”
“But—”
“That’s enough. You’re not going, niña.” His voice left no room for argument. “There will be other missions. Just not this one.”
I clenched my jaw, storming off to my room and slamming the door behind me.
I refused to sit on the sidelines.
Then, an idea hit me.
Maybe I didn’t need his permission.
Later That Night
I snuck out to the garage. I knew exactly which vehicle they’d be using.
All I had to do was hide until we were already on the road—then Adam would have no choice but to let me stay.
I’m a genius.
I went back to my room, knowing I had a long day ahead.
The Next Morning
By the time I woke up, they were already loading up outside. I peeked through the window, planning my move.
Ahem.
I spun around to see Adam watching me with sharp eyes.
“I hope you’re not thinking of disobeying me,” he said, his tone authoritative.
“What? Me? Never.” I slipped past him, heading toward the kitchen—before bolting upstairs to my room.
I had to be fast. I sprinted to the garage and hid behind the vehicle.
As they finished packing, I quickly picked the lock on the trunk and slipped inside, closing it softly behind me.
The engine rumbled to life.
Sorry, not sorry, Adam.
I wasn’t made to sit on the sidelines like some princess.
I was going to be a queen.
That’s what my mother named me for—Reina.
And I would rise, no matter who stood in my way.
