Page 28 of Bound By A Promise
“Camila?”
I concentrated on the noise behind my sister. “Are Dario and Dante arguing?”
The noise disappeared. “They’re discussing.”
“Me. They’re discussing me.”
Cat’s voice came through without the background noise as if she’d moved away from the men or they’d moved away from her. “Dario told me that Dante requested you. I was afraid you didn’t know about it.”
“That’s what Mama said. She was afraid to let another daughter go to the famiglia. Cat, I love Dante. I think I do. I want to marry him, not Rei.”
“Rei is closer to your age.”
The lunch I’d eaten long ago churned in my stomach. “You’re encouraging me to consider Rei?”
“It’s nothing you can consider. Papá went to Jorge when he heard about Dante’s proposal.El Patr?nagreed to change his mind. He recognizes that the cartel needs to focus on its inner strength. After what Gerardo did, your marriage to Rei will reaffirm the Ruiz commitment to the cartel. You’ll help Papá’s and Uncle Nicolas’s standing.”
“Their loyalty should speak for itself. I don’t want to be a bargaining chip, something to cement their loyalty.”
“Camila, Rei is nice. Aléjandro has shown a different side of himself to Mia. I believe if he can be a good husband, Rei can too.”
“I told you.”
“You didn’t,” she protested. “If you had, I could have helped. Mama thought she was doing what was best for you.”
I shook my head. “No, the day of your engagement party. Remember?”
“You didn’t even know Dante then.”
Swallowing, I took a deep breath. “I told you that I didn’t want to marry because Papá orel Patr?nsaid I should. I wanted to marry for love.”
Catalina exhaled. “Love and lust are two different things.”
Springing to my feet, I clenched my teeth. “You don’t think I know what love is? You think I’m too young.”
“Camila…”
“No, Cat. I saw that Dario loved you before you were willing to see it. I might be young, but I know what love is. I know thatthe stolen moments Dante and I have shared were more than lust.”
“What?” her voice was hushed. “What have you two done? Oh Lord. If Papá finds out…”
“We kissed. That’s it.” Mostly. He also gave me the best orgasm of my life. “I wanted to decide who I would share my first kiss with. I chose Dante and I’m choosing him again.” When Cat remained quiet, I added, “The day of your engagement party, you told me that if you and Em had a say in my future, I could…I could marry for love. You’re married to the capo dei capi. Help me. Help us.”
Dante
The edgeof Dario’s jaw was sharp as the muscles in the side of his face flexed. “You shouldn’t be calling her and especially not by using my wife’s phone.”
“You told me Camila was mine. What the fuck, Dario? You said it was set.”
His words came from between clenched teeth as he watched Catalina take her phone and walk toward the library. “Watch your tone. You may be my brother, but I’m your capo.”
“Then fix this.”
“Tell me why you used Catalina’s phone.”
“I don’t have Camila’s number.”
Dario ran his hand down his face. “Andrés Ruiz changed his mind after Reinaldo made his intentions known.”