Page 41 of Bound By A Promise
I was leaving of my own volition, not acquiescing as Catalina did, a bargaining chip handed over by our father and gifted to the Kansas City Mafia. The fact that I was headed to the same place was insignificant. The truth that I was leaving based on my own desires was what mattered.
Opening my bedroom door, I saw Miguel’s empty chair. It was fair to assume he’d gone to his room for the night, assured of my obedience. Soft lights directed at the floorboards on each side illuminated the quiet hallway. Holding my tennis shoes, I walked barefooted, quietly making my way to the back staircase.
The memory of Miguel keeping me safe in this exact spot crushed my chest. He’d be blamed for my absence. My parents would take my disobedience out on him.
“I’m sorry, Miguel,” I whispered as I slowly descended the back staircase.
Turning on the midway landing, I stopped walking and listened for noises coming from the kitchen.
Nothing.
My plan was to exit out onto the pool deck, duck behind the pool house, where the Roríguez men lived for a few months. I knew that hidden along the fence line was a gate leading off the property that allowed the two of them to come and go without dealing with the security.
Slipping through the kitchen, I descended the next set of stairs to the lower level. A quick look at the green light near the glass doors let me know that the sensors were disarmed. Opening the glass door, the sound of the surf from beyond thecliff filled my ears. Darkness encompassed the pool deck and the abyss beyond. Even the stars and moon were obscured in shadows. Only the colorful illumination of the ever-changing hues beneath the pool’s crystal-clear water penetrated the darkness.
Keeping myself in the shadows, I slid on my tennis shoes. With one last look at the only home I’d known, I took the path around the pool house. As I reached the tall gate, it opened inward.
My heart forgot to pump as the viscous liquid drained from my face to my feet.
“Where are you going?” my brother asked, eyeing me up and down, his gaze settling on my backpack.
“Em, forget you saw me.”
His iron grip came to my wrist as his voice lowered. “Fuck, Camila. You can’t fight this. I wish you could. I’ve done what I could. Cat couldn’t fight it. You can’t either.”
Lifting my chin, I met his gaze. “I’m not fighting. I’m choosing. Please respect that.”
His grip loosened. “You’re choosing? What the fuck are you choosing, to run away? Don’t you think the cartel has the resources to find you? You will be hunted. And what if you’re found by the bratva?”
The thought sent a cold shiver over my flesh. I lifted my chin. “I’m not running away. I’m choosing who I’ll marry.”
Em’s dark stare narrowed, drilling into me for an extended moment before he connected the dots. “You’re choosing Luciano?”
“I am.” I softened my voice. “I love Dante, Em. Please respect that.”
“I fought for Rei with Papá.” His expression morphed. “You know him. Rei is a good man.”
“He is,” I agreed. “I’m sorry he got dragged into this. Dante asked me to marry him before talking to Dario and before Dario approachedel Patr?n. I said yes.”
Em pressed his lips together. “I’m supposed to be okay with both my sisters leaving our family and moving in with the famiglia?”
“You’re supposed to support both your sisters. You supported Cat.” I feigned a smile. “I know you gave her lessons to protect herself.”
“Should I slide my blade into that backpack?”
“I’d be happy with your blessing.”
His nostrils flared. “To marry Luciano?”
“To marry the man I want to marry.”
“Do you have any idea how fucking ballistic Papá is going to be when he finds out you’re gone?”
I nodded. “That’s why you need to say you didn’t know anything about it.”
“Does Dario know?”
I shook my head.