Page 90 of Till Death Do Us Part

I turned to see Silas and Felipe sitting in seats behind us, closer to the cockpit. They were both busy reading something on their tablets.

Looking up, I saw Aléjandro’s dark gaze on me.

“You’re twisting your rings,” he said. “Why are you nervous?”

“I’m not.”

He reached across the table and turned his large hand palm up.

Begrudgingly, I laid my hand in his, both thankful for his concern while simultaneously, stunned by his ability to read me after such a short time. With Rocco, I’d learned to mask my thoughts and feelings. I could never do it with Giorgia. It seemed Aléjandro was falling into the no-mask category.

“What did you tell Gerardo?” I asked not for the first time since he announced our trip.

“Exactly what I told you.Mi padreis back inMéxico,and he wanted me to see how things are proceeding in Gerardo’s territory. I told Gerardo that his reports have been impressive.” My husband grinned. “I even stroked his ego and told him that due to his success, we may want to implement some of his practices down south. As I said, he’s having trouble recognizing my new role. It isn’t easy for the old guard to bow to a younger man even if I amel Patr?n’sson.”

I was pleased with Aléjandro’s approach. If news of our visit was upsetting to Gerardo, he could take it out on Liliana.

“And you told him I’d be here?” I knew he had. I was simply trying to calm my nerves. I was more nervous aboutSeñoraRuiz than about us.

“Yes, Mia. I told him that you would be with me as you’d never been to this area. I asked if we could join them for dinner after he showed me around his territory and the various casinos. I offered a restaurant, but he invited us to their home for dinner.”

I nodded. Nothing he said was new. My husband was simply trying to pacify me, and I appreciated it.

The time on my watch was after ten in the morning. My job was to spend the day shopping and sightseeing around Sacramento. Silas would be at my side throughout my explorations. I didn’t mind. In the few weeks since Silas and Viviana arrived, I’d grown fond of their company as well as their dedication to Aléjandro and by extension, to me. Silas and I spent many days shopping for furniture and décor. I was getting used to his presence. Today would only be different in that instead of shopping for home goods, I was supposed to shop for myself.

My closet was still filled with clothes I’d brought from Missouri. As the temperatures rise, I could use new dresses. I even thought I’d look for one for tonight’s dinner. Something that wasn’t too formal but still said I was the wife of the next in line in the Roríguez cartel.

“And we’ll meet you and Felipe back at the plane before dinner?” I asked.

“That’s the plan.”

I nibbled on my lower lip. “Is it safe here?”

“Sí,” Aléjandro said comfortingly. “You have Silas. Felipe will be with me. We’re visiting allies.”

“Yeah, I didn’t get a warm, cuddly feeling from Gerardo in our few interactions.”

My husband laughed. “Tell me, did you get that feeling from me when we first met?”

“No,” I answered with a grin. “I think it’s better that I don’t describe the feelings I got.”

I reached for the arms of the chair as the airplane bounced on the tarmac. The change in motion caught me off guard. I hadn’t realized we were that close to landing. The scenery sped by the window, finally slowing.

“Be careful,” I warned.

Aléjandro shook his head. “I’m fine. You stay with Silas.”

“Is he to go into the dressing rooms with me?”

“If he does, I’ll have to kill him.”

Two cars were waiting for us when we descended the stairs and stepped onto the tarmac. Aléjandro spoke to the drivers in Spanish, keeping their conversation from me. I turned to Silas and lowered my volume. “Why do we have drivers? You and Felipe can drive.”

He didn’t respond, but by the way Silas’s lips were pressed together in a flat line, I had the feeling he agreed.

Aléjandro came back and reached for my hands. “Have a good day. I’ll see you back at the plane before dinner. We’re supposed to be at their house by six thirty.”

As he leaned in to kiss me, I whispered the same question that I’d asked of Silas.