Chapter 13

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?”

Taking my hand, she led me into the living room to her sofa. The glass doors facing the Pacific Ocean were opened wide and the sound of the surf down below created a soothing rhythm. “I’m tired. Not as tired as I was in the first trimester. And our bebé is growing.” She narrowed her eyes. “What brings you to San Diego? I didn’t know you were coming until you called a few minutes ago.”

“It was kind of a last-minute decision.” I looked around. “Is Aléjandro here?”

“No. He and Em are off somewhere doing something.” She smiled. “He really is more informative than that, but with my pregnancy brain, I’m happy if I can keep my own schedule straight. The school, the one you helped me buy, has seventeen residents. I was there most of the day. We have a full-time tutor.”

Mia’s joy was contagious.

“That’s wonderful. Don’t overdo in your condition.”

“I’m healthy. I’m excited to make a difference.” She sat taller, pulling one leg up to her chest. “We have room for more residents. I think these first ladies are testing the waters for the others.” She shook her head. “It’s much better living conditions than they’ve had in the past.” She tilted her head. “Enough about me. Why did you say you’re here?”

A woman I recalled was named Viviana appeared. “Mr. Luciano, Señora Roríguez, may I get you anything? Something to drink?”

We both declined. Once we were again alone, I told Mia what had happened. During her party only a few weeks ago, I was under the impression that everything regarding Camila and me was set.

Her smile faded as Mia laid her hand over mine. “Dante, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be fucking sorry.” I stood and paced before the open wall as the western sky filled with red, orange, and purple hues. “If Camila didn’t know about our marriage, it would be one thing. I’d still want her. But she knows, Mia. I told you that night that I’d asked her. I made her a promise of forever, and now, without my knowledge, it was taken away.”

“It isn’t like Jorge to change his mind.”

“I’m under the impression that it was Andrés who instigated the change.”

Pressing her lips together, my sister nodded.

“What do you know?”

Exhaling, she lowered her chin to her chest and looked up at me through her lashes. “Don’t do that to me, Dante. I’m not a famiglia spy. I can’t relay what I know in confidence from the cartel.”

“You know something.”

Mia raised her chin. “I’ve heard talk. Aléjandro was informed.”

“Fuck. When?” I sat back on the sofa at her side. “Listen, I’m not asking you for information on products or weapons. I want to know why Andrés Ruiz pulled the rug out from under me with Camila. You know damn well they wouldn’t have done this to Dario.”

Mia nibbled her lower lip. “In a way they did. How is he taking it?”

“Are you kidding? With Ariadna Gia he doesn’t want any waves with the cartel.”

She laid her hand over her midsection. “I understand that.”

“Camila and I would be another brick in the alliance.”

“Not if Andrés has nixed it.”

“Nixed it for his own fucking good. He’s using his daughter to cement his future with Jorge.”

Mia stood. “Yes, like Dario used me and Andrés used Catalina. It fucking sucks, Dante, but that’s the world we live in. Dario and Catalina are doing well. So are Aléjandro and I. Camila will adjust. She won’t even need to leave the world and culture she knows. Besides, Rei’s a good man.”

Inhaling, my chest felt tight. “Fuck that. I’m sick of people singing his praises.” My voice rose. “You of all people. I thought you’d see my side in this—Camila’s side.”

“Me, who has been married off twice in her life?”

“You, who has been preaching against the misogynistic ways men use women. I didn’t set out to fall for Camila. I know she’s too young for me. I know the shit I’ve done and will do in the future. I don’t deserve her, but that doesn’t fucking matter because when I chose her, she chose me too.”

My sister’s smile returned. “That’s right. You’re a rebel.”

Standing, I clenched my fists at my side. “A lot of fucking good it did me.” I spun toward Mia. “I’m going to go talk to Andrés, in person. Man to man.”

“Hombre a hombre.”

We both turned to the sound of Aléjandro’s voice.

“Qué pasa?” His eyes narrowed and his forehead furrowed. “It’s awfully loud in here for a conversation with your sister.”

“You’re right,” I admitted. “Mia, I apologize.” My attention went to Aléjandro. “What changed? Why does Reinaldo want Camila?”

“She’s a beautiful woman. Rei is closer to her age. Mí padre thinks it’s a better pairing.” He walked to Mia and after kissing her softly, wrapped his arm around her waist. “Mia has opened my eyes to the importance of creating healthy relationships.”

“Dante isn’t Gerardo,” Mia said, looking at her husband. “Not all age gaps are bad.”

“Sí, I married an older woman.”

Pink filled my sister’s cheeks.

“Does he love her?” I asked.

Aléjandro shrugged. “He hasn’t used that word. I don’t know about you and Dario, but Rei and I weren’t exactly raised to recognize the intangibles of feelings and love.”

“That’s not true,” Mia interjected. “Your mother raised you—”

“Sí, I stand corrected. However, results, money, power, prestige, those were emphasized.”

“And who is getting the power and prestige in that pairing—Rei or Camila? No. Andrés.”

Aléjandro didn’t respond.

I stood taller. “How about your word? Is that important?”

My brother-in-law squared his shoulders, facing me, challenging me. “We Roríguezes keep our word.”

Bring it on. I kicked your ass once. I’ll do it again.

My fingers itched to pull the blade from my leg holster. Instead, I worked to keep things civil. After all, now Aléjandro was my brother-in-law. Pulling a knife on him in my sister’s home wouldn’t help Dario’s precious alliance or my chances to wed Camila. “Then stand behind that. Jorge approved of Camila’s and my wedding. I gave her my word. I intend to keep it.”

Aléjandro’s stare narrowed. “Andrés wants Camila to marry Rei.”

“Is he—Andrés—a liability? Like Gerardo was?”

“I’ve known Andrés all my life.”

“You knew Gerardo.”

Aléjandro pressed his lips together. “Your point?”

“Is Andrés’s status within the cartel that threatened that he needs to sell his youngest daughter to ensure it?”

“I trust him. But after what happened to Gerardo, I can see why he wants to tighten the connection to mí padre.”

“I want to talk to him. Come with me.” Shit, I didn’t know if this was a good idea or not. “Come with me to talk to Andrés and Valentina. They didn’t know that Camila and I had—”

“Had what?” Mia asked.

“Spoken…alone. Discussed marriage.”

Mia let out a long breath. “Oh, I was afraid…”

“I haven’t taken what isn’t mine yet.” My attention went back to Aléjandro. “Andrés will at least listen to me if you’re there. He owes you that respect.”

“Sí.”

Mia reached for her husband’s hand. “Por favor, ayudarlo. Él nos ayudó.”

My eyes went back and forth between the two of them. Whatever Mia said had Aléjandro considering my plea.

He looked at his watch. It was after eight at night. Finally, he spoke, “I’ll go with you and hear Andrés out.”

“Thank you.” I grinned. “Gracias.”

It wasn’t long until we were on our way. Aléjandro drove the two of us in his Porsche.

“Not a lot of room in here,” I said as the darkening streets passed by the windows. “No room for guards.”

“I don’t need guards to visit one of our lieutenants.”

“You’re sure?”

“Fuck yeah.” His grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Are you saying I need one for you…mi hermano?”

“You don’t need one for me. I was just thinking. If you’re so confident in Andrés’s loyalty, why does he think he needs to use Camila to keep your and Jorge’s confidence?”

“You can ask him.”

While I contemplated the discussion I was about to have with Andrés Ruiz, I couldn’t help but think about the reason for the talk. Camila.

Would I even be allowed to see her?

Aléjandro pulled his car up to the gate. I recognized the Ruiz home from the times I’d been there. However, it had changed since the wedding. Now there was a man in a guard shack. After the attack, the Ruizes weren’t solely relying on technology.

“Señor Roríguez,” the guard greeted before he asked a question. While I couldn’t understand what he said, by the inflection in his voice, I knew it was a question. By Aléjandro’s response, I believe he answered in the negative.

I needed to brush up on my Spanish.

The gate opened and Aléjandro drove us through.

“What did you say to him?” I asked.

“I told him that a lovesick fool wanted to speak to Andrés.”

“The fuck?”

Aléjandro laughed. “I said Andrés wasn’t expecting us, but he wouldn’t deny our visit.”

Wouldn’t deny us because of Aléjandro. I wasn’t under the misconception that I would be welcomed with open arms.

Beyond the gate, the brick-covered driveway led to the front of the house. Unlike the time I left here with Camila and Valentina, there weren’t numerous guards patrolling. Apparently, once one made it past the man at the gate, the house was welcoming. I peered up, noticing the not-so-subtle cameras following Aléjandro’s car.

He parked on the circular drive and opened his door without saying a word. I caught up to him by the time we reached the steps, and the front door opened.

“Valentina,” Aléjandro said with a slight bow.

“Señora Ruiz,” I greeted.

“Jano y Mr. Luciano.” She took a step back. “Por favor entra.”

The two of them had a quick conversation of which I only caught my name before Señora Ruiz apologized to me for not speaking English and led us up the stairs toward Andrés’s office.

“Visitantes. Andrés, you have visitors,” she announced as she opened his office door.

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.”

Señora Ruiz halted her retreat, her gaze going between me and her husband.

Señor Ruiz 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.”