Page 34 of Bound By A Promise

Andrés Ruiz stood. By his expression, I can only imagine he saw us on surveillance. He didn’t seem surprised. “To what do we owe this visit?”

I stepped forward and offered him my hand.

After we shook, Andrés motioned toward the chairs opposite his desk. “Please, sit. What do you want to discuss?”

There was no reason to beat around the bush. “Your daughter Camila.”

SeñoraRuiz halted her retreat, her gaze going between me and her husband.

SeñorRuiz stalled his movements and turned, his fists on the top of his desk. “What about my daughter?”

I remained standing. “She was promised to me. Our union was approved by my capo and Jorge Roríguez. I’ve come to make that union official.”

“Mr. Luciano, I believe you’re mistaken.”

Chapter

Eleven

Camila

“Lo lamento, la señorita. Tu padreis in a meeting and requested that you remain in your room.”

Standing in my doorframe, I stared at Miguel, my arms crossed over my chest. My wet long hair lay in a braid over my shoulder. After my discussion with Dante and Catalina, I made the mature decision to sulk in my room. That moping lasted beyond dinner.

While I wanted to cry, I was mostly angry.

This situation was exactly where I never wanted to be. Watching women marry men they barely knew was something I swore I would never do. Over the hours as I stared up at my ceiling watching the fan swirl, I realized Mama and Papá thought with Rei they were saving me from that fate. I knew him. On top of that, we were close in age. I think he’s only a year older than I.

Instead of sulking, I needed to tell them who I was in love with. A part of me hoped I could change their minds. When Ilooked at Rei or thought about him, my body didn’t react. There wasn’t a slow burning deep within me. My lower stomach didn’t twist, and my panties didn’t dampen. That didn’t mean he wasn’t a handsome man. It meant I wasn’t attracted to him.

Miguel lifted his brows, waiting for my response. Despite the fact I was showered and dressed in a camisole and pajama shorts, Miguel wasn’t affected by my lack of clothes. He had been my bodyguard my entire life.

“I need to speak to Mama and get something to eat.”

“SeñoraRuiz is also with yourpadre.”

Mama was in the meeting? Who was it with?

Miguel went on, “Food is good. Lola saved you a plate when you didn’t go down for dinner. I’ll bring it to you.”

“What I have to say to my parents is important.”

He nodded.

I scrunched my nose. “You know about the wedding plans, don’t you?”

“Sí.”

“How long have you known?”

“Not long. I was under the impression that other arrangements had taken place. Reinaldo works hard. He will follow closely behind Jano. You could do worse.”

I huffed. “Rei isn’t a bad person, but I’m in love with someone else. That isn’t fair to Rei. Papá may give him my body, but he’ll never have my heart.” As the words came forth, I thought about Rei. I needed to tell him what I just said to Miguel.

“You say you’re in love. Your mother questioned me. I know nothing about a relationship, and I’m with you all the time. I checked your phone. Who is this mysterious love in your life?”

Of course he checked my phone. Nothing was private.