Chapter 10

Camila

“Camila, you’re aware of what has happened within the cartel?”

I nodded.

Everyone knew that Uncle Gerardo had betrayed el Patrόn. It caused a big shake-up. And while Uncle Gerardo wasn’t my favorite 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 Patrόn’s son 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 Patrόn has 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 Patrόn believes 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.

I pulled my hand free. “I don’t want a mansion. I don’t want to marry Rei.”

“It is your duty,” Papá said sternly. “Especially after what Gerardo did, we need to unite the Ruizes with the Roríguezes. There was a time el Patrόn discussed a marriage between Aléjandro and Catalina.”

The idea made my stomach roil.

Papá continued, “Another marriage between the cartel and famiglia right now wouldn’t be wise. It’s a tense situation among some of the soldiers, especially those in the North. They need to see that we’re strong on our own, too.”

Mama lowered her forehead to my knee. “Camila, you can do this.” She looked up through her long lashes. “Rei, he’s a good boy.”

“He’s not a boy. He’s a man.” I wanted to say that I didn’t know him, but I did. During the months he and Jano lived in our pool house, I got to know him. “Mama, I don’t hate Rei, but I don’t love him. I don’t want to marry him.”

She stood. “We know this is sudden.”

“Does Rei know about this?” My volume rose. “Does he even want this?”

“Of course,” Papá reassured. “To wed the drug lord’s son is an honor. And you are a respectable woman from our strong family.”

“When?”

“The date isn’t set,” Mama said. “At the end of this semester. Christmas time.”

I shook my head. “This isn’t happening. I should have some say.”

Mama tilted her head.

“I have to transfer my classes.” My mind swirled with the logistics of a move I didn’t want to make as I babbled about unimportant details.

“Sí, it will be worked out,” Papá said, retaking his seat behind the desk.

I squared my shoulders. “What if I’m in love with someone else?”

Papá’s dark stare zeroed in on me as Mama gasped and stood. Her voice was strong. “You will learn to love Rei.”

Tears stung the back of my eyes as I stood. “I don’t want this to happen.”

“Ca-mi-la,” Mama elongated my name.

“My decision is made,” Papá said as my phone rang from my backpack. “Who is it?”

I reached down, fumbling for my phone. “Have I lost all my freedoms?”

Papá’s gaze hardened. “Who is on the phone? You said you’re in love. Is it a boy from the university?”

I read the screen. “It’s Catalina.” I turned the screen toward him. “Does she know? May I talk to her, or do I need Rei’s permission?”

Papá huffed.  “Talk to your sister. She will help you.”

My sister.

Could Catalina help me?