Page 25 of Bound By A Promise
My knees gave way as I too fell to the soft rug. Freeing my hands, I brought them both to his cheeks, his whiskers abrading my palms and sending a twisting sensation to my core. “You’re asking me? You want to marry me?”
He lowered his forehead to mine. “Since that night in my apartment, I can’t get you out of my head. You’re beautiful and smart. You have the courage to go after what you want. You have a fire like your sister that burns twice as bright. I’m not agood person. I won’t lie to you. I don’t deserve you, but fuck yes, I want you.”
“I want you too.”
He covered my hands with his. “I want to kiss you, but I don’t want anyone to know that you’ve been kissed.”
Gently, I leaned forward until our lips touched.
It wasn’t even close to the kiss back in his apartment. But he was right. My lips were swollen and tender after that kiss. I had all night to let them get back to normal. Soon, I’d need to go back with the other women, and I couldn’t do that with freshly kissed lips.
Despite the lack of pressure, a moan escaped my lips as Dante kissed me back. The butterflies returned, fluttering in my stomach and tightening my core.
“I’ll speak to Dario first. He’s all about the alliance. Hopefully,el Patr?nand your father agree.”
“I’ll act surprised.”
Taking a deep breath and nodding at my father’s guard Sergio, I knocked on the large double doors to Papá’s home office. His deep voice bid me entrance. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see Mama standing near Papá’s chair, her expression solemn. “Is everything all right?”
“Sí,” Papá said, motioning to the chair opposite his desk. “Sentarse.”
Following my father’s command, I took the chair, sitting on the edge and settling my backpack on the floor to my side. His gaze swept over my ripped jeans and tank top. I hadn’t had a chance to change since my afternoon classes.
“Camila, you’re aware of what has happened within the cartel?”
I nodded.
Everyone knew that Uncle Gerardo had betrayedel Patr?n. It caused a big shake-up. And while Uncle Gerardo wasn’t myfavorite person, I wasn’t happy to learn of his demise. From what Em has said, the change caused a void in Northern California where he had been in charge.El Patr?n’sson Rei was filling in for now.
Papá cleared his throat. “Catalina was able to finish her schooling before she was betrothed.” He reached for Mama’s hand. “That had been our plan for you too.”
Mama looked as if she were about to cry.
“It will be all right, Mama,” I consoled.
Her green eyes glistened. “We have insisted that you are able to continue school.”
My cheeks twitched with the urge to grin. I’d finish school in Kansas City, with Dante, Catalina, and Ariadna Gia. “You want me to marry?” I did my best to sound surprised.
Papá stood, keeping his broad shoulders back. “With what has happened, it’s best to show that those in charge are stable. A married man is respected even by those older. You see,el Patr?nhas decided that Reinaldo will remain in charge of Northern California.”
“Rei?” I gripped the arms of the chair as the floor fell out from below me. “Why are we talking about Rei?”
“He and Jano carry a heavy burden,” Papá explained, “especially after Gerardo.”
This conversation wasn’t making sense. My shock wasn’t a performance. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.
“What does Rei have to do with me marrying? What about the alliance with the famiglia?” I asked.
“The alliance is still strong. Currently,el Patr?nbelieves we need to show the strength within the Roríguez cartel.”
“Oh, Camila,” Mama said, coming around the desk to me. “Were you afraid that you’d have to marry into the famiglia?” She crouched down before me and reached for my trembling hand. “No, darling. We said one daughter to them is enough.Jorge has chosen you for Rei. You see, Rei has Gerardo’s mansion. It’s an honor to be selected to be his wife.”
Rei Roríguez’s wife.
No.
It took all my control not to scream.