Page 30 of Bound By A Promise
“No, you’re not. We have shit happening here. I need you here.”
“Then bring Camila to me.”
Dario exhaled and tipped his chin down. “Twenty-four hours. Make your case to Andrés and Valentina, but don’t you dare fuck up this alliance. I have a daughter out there” —he pointed toward the doorway— “who is half-famiglia and half-cartel. You aren’t starting a war in my family.”
“Twenty-four hours,” I agree. “Antonio will watch over Emerald Club. Carmine and Salvatore can handle the streets.” Our uncles had reservations about Dario taking charge of the famiglia, but they could see the results. He was leading us. “I’ll make a few calls to the capos. Myshkin’s people have been quiet of late. Kansas City will stay safe.”
My brother stood and walked toward me. His attire showcased his authority, the custom suit as opposed to my dark jeans and black t-shirt. He stood slightly taller than me. “I care about your happiness, Dante.” His large hand landed on my shoulder. “You know I do. I don’t want a war with Jorge Roríguez. I gave him my word.”
I gave Camila my word—my promise.
“Twenty-four hours.”
I closed Dario’s office door as I stepped toward the foyer. Catalina’s voice was coming from the library. After a quick look toward the closed office door, I hurried toward Catalina. She looked up as I entered. Ariadna Gia was in her arms.
“I thought you might still be on the phone.”
“Dante,” she sighed, looking down at her daughter and back to me. “I’m sorry. I wish I knew how the two of you felt.”
“I’m going to have her.”
“El Patr?nhas made his decision.”
“It’s the wrong decision. I’m going to California.”
Her green eyes, similar to her sister’s, opened wider. “What are you going to do?”
“Keep my promise. I need something from you.”
Catalina reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a small piece of paper. “Is this what you need?”
I reached for the paper and unfolded it. Camila’s phone number was written on it. “Thank you. Does this mean we have your support?”
“It means I want you both to be happy, but the repercussions of this union, of stopping Rei, may be more than our family can withstand.”
Closing my fingers around the paper, I leaned down and brushed Ariadna’s soft dark peach-fuzz crown with my lips and smiled at Catalina. “I have to try.”
Chapter
Ten
Dante
With the time difference between Kansas City and San Diego and a three-hour flight, my plane landed only a little over an hour after I took off. It was just past seven in the evening. The autumn sky was still blue with the beginning crimson hues that came along the horizon with the setting of the sun.
If I was going to succeed in my fight to get Camila, I needed an alliance of my own.
Securing a rental car, I made my way through the increasingly familiar streets to my sister and brother-in-law’s house, calling her on the way to be sure she was home. Silas, the head of her security, opened the gate. After I parked, he met me at the door.
“Mr. Luciano.”
“Silas, good to see you again. I hope my sister is available.”
“Sí.” He motioned toward the living room. “Come in.”
“Dante,” Mia exclaimed as she came forward with her arms wide and a stunning smile, an expression unlike she ever displayed during her first marriage. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. Wearing white capris and a bright green top, her hazel stare gleamed with happiness.
I brushed her cheek with a kiss. “How are you feeling?” I looked down toward her midsection, still not showing a baby bump. “And how is my niece or nephew?”