Cartel Queen

by Chelsea Camaron

  Cartel Queen

  Almanza Crime Family Duet

  Written By

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Chelsea Camaron

  Copyright © Chelsea Camaron 2018

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Chelsea Camaron, except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976.

  This is a work of fiction. All character, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  1st edition published: April 19, 2018

  Editing by: Asli Fratarcangeli from EL Editing and Mandy Smith from Raw Book Editing

  Author Lifesaving Critique Partner: Ryan Michele

  Cover Design by: Cassy Roop, Pink Ink Designs

  Cover Model: Mike LaCombe

  Cover Picture Photographer: Golden Czermak, Furious Fotog

  Thank you for purchasing this book. This book and its contents are the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied, and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes.

  This book contains mature content not suitable for those under the age of 18. Content involves strong language, violence, and sexual situations. All parties portrayed in sexual situation are over the age of 18. All characters are a work of fiction.

  This book is not meant to be an exact depiction of life in any cartel, but rather a work of fiction meant to entertain.

  *** Warning: This book contains graphic situations that may be a trigger for some readers. Please understand this is a work of fiction and not meant to offend or misrepresent any situations. There is quite a bit of violence, so if that’s not what you’re looking for, then please don’t read. ***

  Table of Contents

  Stay up to date

  Dedication

  Letter from Chelsea

  About this duet

  Once Upon a Dream

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Other Works by Chelsea Camaron

  Excerpt from PowerHouse (Power Chain 1) by Chelsea Camaron and Ryan Michele

  Excerpt from Stay

  Excerpt from In The Red (Devil’s Due MC 1) by Chelsea Camaron

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  Dedication

  Demi Lovato – Lonely – Waitin On You — Only Forever These songs were on repeat for this entire book so it deserves a mention. Just go listen to the whole CD, it’s powerful.

  Jennifer Rivera

  You amaze me.

  You are my loyal lion.

  Five years you’ve been by my side on this journey, behind the scenes for every book. This duet would not exist if it wasn’t for you. I know you know it but I want the world to know, Cartel Bitch and Cartel Queen are for you.

  Thank you for being you.

  Other books that crossover in this Duet:

  Day of Reckoning (Devils Due MC) by Chelsea Camaron

  Hellions Ride On by Chelsea Camaron

  Adoring Ashton (O’Loughlin Brothers 2) by AF Crowell

  Challenged (Vipers Creed MC) by Ryan Michele

  Letter from Chelsea

  Dear Reader,

  This duet is a force to be reckoned with.

  Mari Belle is strong.

  She is fierce.

  She is loyal.

  She is also sometimes flawed.

  But then again … aren’t we all?

  I hope you enjoy Javi and Mari Belle.

  If this duet was your first experience with an anti-hero, I hope you enjoyed both hating and loving Javi. If you are an avid anti-hero lover, then my wish is that Javi met your expectations. I know for a lot of readers there was some hesitation in reading this duet because it’s not my normal niche. For those of you who have given the Almanza Crime Family a chance, I appreciate it. I loved writing these books and challenging myself out of my comfort zone.

  With all my heart,

  Chelsea

  About this duet

  Cartel Bitch (Almanza Crime Family Duet Part 1)

  There was a fine line between love and hate, we walked it together.

  Unforgiving.

  Relentless.

  I'm to be feared.

  When your family is as much a friend as an enemy, there is no one to trust.

  I am Javier Almanza.

  Cartel kingpin.

  No one can touch me.

  No one can hurt me...

  Except her.

  Mari Belle Dominguez.

  He was raised as family. My brother’s best friend, my first kiss, and my first betrayal. He planned to make me his Cartel Bitch. The joke was on him; I’d never break nor would I bend. I would fight until the end for myself.

  My will was stronger than his want.

  He would soon see.

  This is book one in the Almanza Crime Family Duet and a full-length romance. This is a dark, edge of your seat romantic suspense novel featuring an antihero, so there is a level of violence inside that may not be suitable for some readers. This is not meant to be an actual depiction of life inside a Cartel but rather a work of fiction meant to entertain.

  Cartel Queen (Almanza Crime Family Duet Part 2)

  Hardened.

  Persistent.

  I refuse to break at the hands of a man.

  I am Mari Belle Dominguez.

  Strong woman.

  My situation made me his.

  He’ll never really have me.

  I’ll never let him hurt me again.

  That is … until he claims more than my house, my body, and my life.

  When Javier Almanza claims my heart, I’m no longer his cartel bitch.

  No, I am the queen.

  I thought she wasn’t ready for my world. I thought she needed my protection. I am Javier Almanza, kingpin with a woman who didn’t need a single thing from me, but my love.

  The hardest fought wars are the biggest lessons learned. She was my lesson in forgiveness.

  *You must read Cartel Bitch before Cartel Queen for this book to make sense. Thank you and happy reading. This is book two in the Almanza Crime Family Duet and a full length romance. This is a dark, edge of your seat romantic suspense featuring an antihero so there is a level of violence inside that may not be suitable for some readers. This is not meant to be an actual depiction of life inside a Cartel but rather a work of fiction meant to entertain.

  Once Upon a Dream

  Mari Belle

  In a perfect world, my life would have reflected my heart. My dream wedding, my dream life would have begun on a beautiful fall day …

  The ivory lace fit my body like a second skin. The satin underlay felt soft and smooth agai
nst my flesh as the dress covered me to the floor with just a slight flare at the bottom. The top dipped into a scoop neck where the material stopped at my shoulders leaving full lace sleeves all the way down my arms. The off-white shade only enhanced my naturally tan skin. My shoes were dyed to match the fabric covering my body with only a slight heel so I would not trip and fall. I wanted to be steady on my feet as I made my way to my love.

  I felt like I was on top of the world. Today was my day. It was going to be every fairytale come true. Actually even better because this was a story no one could write any better than the way I lived it. This was Javi and me, one love and one life, together forever.

  Rather than a train on my dress, I wore a veil. It was cathedral length tulle with antique lace trim along the edges. It was long, flowing, and classically elegant. The piece matched the simple beauty I was aiming for. The lace edge clipped into my hair and I flipped the front down to cover my face as the back followed behind me with every move I made. I wore my hair down in long waves that fell to my waist. My makeup was the way Javi loved it with just a touch of eyeliner and mascara and ruby red lipstick. I was comfortable, confident, and beyond ready to walk down that aisle to the man I loved.

  With a kiss to my cheek and tears in her eyes, Estella stood back and admired me. Since my mother had passed away, Estella had stepped in. She always told me I was beautiful and today was no different. She looked at me with love and loyalty, always. The love she always gave to me was as if I was a child born to her, not just an orphan left behind by her friend. We had a special bond that I would forever treasure.

  Today was the biggest day of my life. Today, I would become Mrs. Javier Almanza, for better or worse until death do us part. We would all become the family it seemed we were truly meant to be.

  “Tan hermosa, hija,” she whispered as the emotions clearly overwhelmed her telling me I was her beautiful daughter. “Today you become my daughter in God’s eyes and to the world. Today all my dreams come true for my hijo. You will be a wife that will respect her husband, be loyal to him, and love him. You will give Javier the home, the familia I never did. Fill his heart, hija. Give him happiness and babies.” She smiled with every word she spoke. “Lots of babies for this old woman to spoil.”

  She loved the idea of being a grandmother as much as I loved the idea of being a mom. Javier and I were going to have five babies, maybe even six. I wanted a boy first to be his father’s sidekick and then a little girl. I couldn’t wait to dress her up and put bows in her hair. Javi made good money with his position in the cartel. We would be taken care of so I could focus on our babies. It was all in the plan. Estella would live with us and help with our kids. It was going to be perfect.

  “I can’t wait to see you holding our baby,” I told her with a soft smile. In my mind, I could picture it clear as day. Estella rocking a tiny bundle all clothed in blue or pink. She would sing lullabies and coo softly. Our son or daughter would smile up at her knowing this was family, this was unconditional love. We were all going to be together, one unit, forever. With the past we had, there was nothing in the future that could touch any of us as long as we faced life together.

  “Me too, hija. I can’t wait for my son to get spit up on.” She laughed, no doubt replaying fond memories of her time with him being so little in her mind. “He was always spitting up on me and his sister. It’s time to see him get it.”

  “They say your children give back to you what you gave your parents tenfold.”

  “While it will be a challenge for you, Mari, I’m going to love watching Javi be challenged in the many ways he has pressed his luck with me over the years.”

  We both laughed as the knock came at the door for me to walk out. Javi and I both wanted children right away. He loved me and wanted nothing more than to build a life with me. Our family would grow in my belly, our love would multiply. Luciana smiled big as she opened the door and moved to the side for me to walk out.

  While it had been a while since she had been home, she returned for this special occasion. She was my matron of honor today. Frederick, her husband, and Anna, their young daughter, were also with us to share in the joyous occasion. The mass was planned and Javier was at the altar waiting for me to make my way to him.

  “It’s time,” Luciana whispered before leaning down to give me a soft kiss on my cheek. She wore a floor-length, fitted burgundy dress with a lace overlay in the same shade of deep red. Her hair was down, one side pinned back with a flower clip. She smiled bright as I blew out a breath and stepped into the hallway. This was my dream wedding for my dream life with this picture perfect love from a man I had known my entire life. We were comfortable and happy together.

  Time passed so slowly yet rapidly all at once as I made my way to stand in front of the doors to the sanctuary. The moment was here. I would have my every dream come true. Everything began today by becoming his wife.

  “You are a beautiful bride, Mari,” Luciana said as she beamed with pride. “My brother is going to go weak in his knees when he sees you.”

  “Thank you,” I muttered as I swallowed back my own emotions. “I love him, Luciana.”

  “We all know you do.”

  I was born to be his wife. My destiny, my fate, my entire existence was for this day right here. God made me to become Mrs. Javier Almanza. He made me as Javi’s helpmate, his lifemate, his partner, and his lover. Today, we became one. What’s mine was his, what’s his was mine. I would give him every part of me before God and our family. Our souls would become one for eternity, he was it for me.

  Javi and I had love, family, and happily ever after. This was just the beginning of it all.

  Except it wasn’t.

  Prologue

  Mari Belle

  Babies were magnificent little creatures. Bundles of joy, that’s what everyone said. Except somewhere I had missed the joy part. I shouldn’t say I missed it. I had moments of joy.

  They were just few and far between. I was exhausted. My body was a mess, my mind was in a constant state of panic, and my soul was absolutely depleted. The simplest of tasks felt impossible. Showering, I could skip another day, right? Going to the bathroom, I could hold it a little longer. Eating, well, that would make me have to go to the bathroom so skipping meals sounded good.

  Everything was a challenge.

  Even breathing.

  Where was the joy in that?

  Misery was far easier to hold onto.

  Only, the moment I let the negative grip me, she would look up with those gorgeous brown eyes and I found comfort. She was a piece of me, a piece of Javi. She was innocent and pure in all things wrong.

  As she slept I could mostly find the peace in the crazy. But motherhood wasn’t exactly what I imagined it to be.

  I was so very alone. There was no one to guide me, no one to tell me this would pass. No one to reassure me I was doing okay and Yesnia was healthy.

  Estella wasn’t here to hold my hand. She wasn’t around to reassure me that I was feeding right or burping right. I had these blankets. They were special blankets. They came with pictures of a baby wrapped like a burrito. The instructions were on the package, but I never seemed to get the thing right. As soon as Yesnia got one hand free it was over. The whole blanket would soon be off and she would return to her screaming.

  I was in over my head.

  Most days it felt like I got more wrong than I did right. If I was to rate my mothering skills on a scale of one to ten, I might give myself a two. I tried to be patient with her and myself. Only I ended up more frustrated in the end. I definitely was far from having my shit together.

  I looked at the pink blanket in my arms as my daughter lay sleeping soundly on my bed. I was folding laundry. It felt neverending. My emotions were everywhere. I couldn’t seem to sort what was up, down, left, or right. One month since her birth and my stomach still felt like a bowl of jiggling jelly. At this point, I was lucky if I managed two hours of sleep at a time. My mind was a fog of nothing. Every
task felt like a chore that my body protested doing. I needed sleep. I needed to revive myself. Except I couldn’t. I had her to take care of. Yesnia didn’t have a schedule. She did what she wanted when she wanted and I was along for the ride.

  Yesnia cried.

  She cried a lot.

  Her lungs were strong. They had to be because honestly, she wailed like it was her job.

  Maybe it was.

  And breastfeeding. It was nothing like I envisioned.

  My boobs would never be the same. Every time her tiny lips wrapped around the bud of my nipple and clamped down, I had to fight back the yelp threatening to escape. No matter how natural this was supposed to be, it still didn’t help me not to jump. It wasn’t right. It didn’t feel normal. Then, she would suck. My God, she would suck. Each pull drawing milk from my body into hers felt like she was draining me empty. When I couldn’t tolerate another moment, I would disengage her mouth and the screams would ensue. The midwife told me to nurse fifteen minutes per boob and burp in between. I was happy to have a time. Sometimes I would count the seconds as they passed, waiting to get her off me. I just needed a break. A chance to let my raw nipples rest. While I burped any air from her body, she would scream wanting more milk. I would give her the boob back, but a woman could take only so much. Except it didn’t matter to her, she was a machine of wails. Unbroken, unyielding, and unrelenting wails, at that.

  Even when burping her she cried. It was chaos. She would cry, burp, and cry again like it wasn’t even a hiccup.

  Then she would spit up.

  It smelled.

  She smelled.

  I smelled.

  It was agony.