Page 107 of Till Death Do Us Part
“Because watching you today, so fucking brave and beautiful, was torture. During the meeting, I need to concentrate on those around me. The only way I can do that is to know you’re safe.”
“Dante?” I asked.
“He’ll be with you. I don’t think his presence at the meeting will facilitate open disclosure.”
“Because he’s famiglia?”
There was no need to pretend Dante or I were welcomed by all of the cartel. Aléjandro’s expression was somber. “Yes.”
Later that night, Aléjandro walked with Dante, Viviana, Giovanni, and me into the garage, Dante smiled. “Mia, do you want to drive?”
“I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
Aléjandro reached for my hand, tugging me to a stop. “I probably could have chosen a more private or romantic setting to say this.”
I tilted my head.
“Mia, I love you. I think I have since you slapped me at Cat’s wedding.”
My tears were back, burning my eyes and streaming down my cheeks. “I love you, too.” I forced a smile. “I didn’t then, but I do now.” I wrapped my arms around his shoulders.
He rubbed circles in the small of my back, his lips blowing his warm breath near my ear. “I wanted you to know that. To hear the words from me.”
I felt my pulse quicken as I pulled back and met his dark stare. “You’re scaring me.”
“That’s not my intention.”
“This meeting is with the Ruizes. How is that dangerous?”
“It’s not.” He brushed my lips with his. “I’ll see you once the meeting is over.”
Swallowing my fear, I nodded as Dante led me to the car.
Viviana and I rode in the back seat as Giovanni drove and Dante rode shotgun. Instead of the famiglia’s car, we were in one of Aléjandro’s bulletproof cars. The doors were extra thick and heavy. The windows were dark except for the windshield.
I closed my eyes, wishing I’d accepted a painkiller earlier in the day. My temples throbbed. While Viviana had convinced me to eat a little, nothing tasted right. And now we were headed to Maria’s home where I would be expected to be polite and talkative. Those weren’t qualities I currently wanted to display.
The gate to Nicolas and Maria’s property opened after Giovanni said my name into a small box. By the time we made it up the driveway to the house, Mireya and Camila were standing on the steps. I gave Viviana one last glance, wishing we could avoid this evening’s gathering, and knowing we couldn’t.
I tried to convince myself that this was for Aléjandro. He could concentrate on his meeting and not worry about my safety.
“Hola,” Mireya said as we approached.
“Hi,” Camila said softly, her cheeks pinkening before my eyes.
It didn’t take me long to figure out who had her attention. I wanted to jab Dante in the stomach and make a wisecrack about him breaking children’s hearts. Camila wasn’t exactly a child. I think she was near twenty, still a decade younger than my brother.
“Come in,” Mireya opened the door. “Mi madreisn’t home. I guess I’m hosting.” She giggled. “I know where she keeps the wine.”
“She isn’t home?” I questioned as we crossed the threshold. “I thought Aléjandro said all the women would be here.”
Camila spoke, “He probably didn’t know. At the last minute, Aunt Maria decided to travel withmi madreto Kansas City.”
I nodded. “Ariadna Gia.”
“I can’t wait to meet her,” Camila said. “Isn’t she just perfect in the pictures?”
“She is,” I concurred. I gestured toward Dante. “Mireya and Camila, this is my brother Dante.”