Page 81 of Till Death Do Us Part

My lips curled. “Ourside.”

He took a few steps closer and sandwiched my cheeks with the palms of his hand. “Yes,SeñoraRoríguez, our side.”

“What did Dario say?”

“About what?” he asked.

“The break-in at Catalina’s family’s home. I’m sure he was upset.”

Aléjandro furrowed his brow. “I got the impression that because the break-in upset Cat, your brother was extra concerned. Valentina and Camila are currently in Kansas City staying with Dario and Cat. Andrés agreed that it would be best until they improved security.”

It was interesting which two homes were hit. “By targeting us and them, it seems the bratva is trying to harm both the famiglia and the cartel—trying to harm the alliance.”

“The alliance is solid, but we’ve drawn the same conclusions. There’s a man who believes he should take over the Roríguez cartel.”

My eyebrows knitted together. “You’ll take it over.”

“One day it will be mine. Elizondro Herrera wants to take it over and add our men, our products, our business…all of it to his empire. He built his kingdom aftermi padre, and he’s thirsty for more.”

“You mentioned him before.” I remembered. “He was the one who was working with my father and…rock.”

Aléjandro’s eyebrow arched.

“You know, like an annoying pebble in your shoe.” My eyes widened. “It’s not really a name, so I can use it to refer to someone whose name you don’t want to hear.”

My husband grinned and shook his head.

“Josefina came up with it. Anyway, Dario took out the rats in the famiglia after the attempted coup. Can’tel Patr?ntake care of Herrera?”

“Not without furthering a war.” He shrugged. “Herrera isn’t underPadre’scontrol.” Aléjandro’s nostrils flared. “Honestly, the war is already happening. Especially if Herrera has enlisted the bratva.”

“I’d forgotten you said that.”

“It’s more than I want you to worry about.”

“Please don’t do that,” I said. “I’m not breakable.”

“Fuck no. You’re very bendy.”

I slapped his chest. “I want to be your wife in more than sex. Confide in me. Talk to me. Nearly thirty years in the famiglia, I promise I can handle whatever you throw my way.” I laid my hand in the center of his wide chest, feeling the soft cotton beneath my fingertips. “Maybe I can even give you the perspective of the famiglia.”

Aléjandro took my hand from his chest and lifted it to his strong lips, kissing my knuckles. “I will. And if I don’t, ask. I don’t mind.Mi madredoesn’t want to know what goes on. I don’t want to scare you away.”

“I’m afraid we’re stuck with one another. Dario won’t take me back, well, unless…”

“I die.”

“Yeah, don’t do that.”

Josefina met us on the lower deck, looking as elegant as ever. When she lifted her arms, I willingly went forward hugging her back. Tears came to my eyes, and my throat felt tight. I didn’t know how to tell her how important her acceptance had been or how she helped me without ever telling me what to do. I pulled back and forced a smile. “Thank you.”

She lifted her hand to my cheek. “Take care of my Jano.”

I nodded.

Next, she hugged Aléjandro. “You chose well. Show her every day why accepting your proposal was a good thing.”

He curled his lips. “Actually, she didn’t.”