Chapter 17

Dante

Camila was so fucking stunning. Within the span of a breath, as I stared into her emerald gaze, prominent memories of our short relationship sped through my thoughts. From seeing her for the first time the night before Dario’s wedding and wondering why in the hell he hadn’t chosen her, to taking a knee in Nicolas Ruiz’s home and asking Camila to marry me. Every stolen moment in between all culminated in having her here now, with me.

As the fast-forward reel spun, a new emotion morphed to life within me. The anger and doubt that had taken residence in my psyche at Andrés’s change of plans converted into an overwhelming need to protect the woman in my grasp. Yes, I wanted her naked beneath me, but more importantly, I was keenly aware of the worlds in which we lived. Danger lurked around every corner and in every shadow. Lives were continually lost in cruel and heinous ways.

Those were worlds we couldn’t escape. Nevertheless, I could do my best to keep her from the dirty, gritty reality.

Taking Camila away from the cartel wasn’t the benevolent move it could appear to be on the surface. No, while I was taking her away from a life drenched in perilous endangerments from threats all around, life in the Kansas City Mafia wasn’t exactly safer. If anything, it would be more dangerous. As my wife, Dario’s sister-in-law, and a member of the cartel under the Mafia’s umbrella, Camila will arrive in Kansas City with a target on her back.

The tenor of my words grated with desire. “Do you know what happened when you chose to get in this car?”

She nodded, causing our noses to brush. “I chose you.”

“That means you’re mine, Camila.”

Camila nodded, this time less confidently. Perhaps the entirety of her decision weighed on her.

Pushing back and inclining my seat, I encouraged her to come closer.

Fucking small car.

Camila obeyed, climbing onto my lap. She peered right and left through the windows. “What if they know I’m gone? What if the guards are coming for me? Shouldn’t we leave?”

My hands found their way beneath her hooded sweatshirt to the softness of her skin. I splayed my fingers around her small waist. “You’re right.” My breathing grew shallow as my circulation rerouted. The zipper of my blue jeans strained with her petite body in my grasp. “I need to kiss you. I need to know you’re really here.” I moved my palms to her cheeks. “A kiss like I couldn’t give you in front of your brother.”

Her giggle filled the car. “He was armed.”

“So am I.”

“Is that what I’m feeling?” She wiggled her sexy ass.

“No,” I growled. “Be careful. I could do more than kiss you.”

“It is my wedding night.”

“Oh fuck,” I growled with a grin. “We’re breaking enough rules. You’ll legally be mine before I take your sweet, tight cunt.”

Camila’s breathing hitched.

“You do know what will happen after our vows, right?”

She nodded quickly. “With you, Dante. Only with you.”

Palming her cheeks, I brought her luscious lips to mine.

Fuck.

My cock hardened from wood to steel as I tasted her sweetness and plunged my tongue into the depths of her warm haven. Her moans and whimpers filled the air as we both sought to get closer. No longer content with holding her face, my hands again wandered…beneath her sweatshirt, beneath the second shirt. Each inch of her flesh was softer than the last.

Pushing the cups of her bra down, I fondled her breasts, palming each one. The way her back arched and her shriek reverberated in the car was more effective than Viagra as I tweaked each nipple. Camila was all the woman I didn’t deserve, and yet, here she was in my grasp.

She didn’t back away. No, Camila pressed back, kissing me as if she were kissing to save her life. Her small body wiggled over mine as the scent of cinnamon filled my senses. There was more, the scent of her arousal.

It took all my self-control to keep my touch above her waist. I reminded myself that in the span of a few hours, I’d have access to all of her.

Finally, I pushed her back, only far enough to break our connection. “Fuck, Camila. We need to say our vows. I’m ready to fuck you right here.” I ran my thumb over her swollen lips. “You’re fucking gorgeous, and I don’t deserve you.”

Her chin lowered.

“No.” I lifted her chin until our gazes met. “You are gorgeous. I’ve thought so since the first time I saw you.” Her long lashes fluttered. “Are you certain of your decision?”

“I am.” There was no wavering in her voice.

I pushed the button, raising my seat and helped her climb back to the passenger seat. “Then we have a wedding to attend.”

After she fastened her seatbelt, I wiped the condensation from the inside of the windows and peered into the shadows along the street. Camila was right. There could easily be cartel members nearby. I put the car in drive. After adjusting myself, we began the drive to Aléjandro and Mia’s home.

A few minutes into the trip, I spoke, “I promise that as mine, you’ll be safe and protected.” The streets of San Diego passed by the windows. “We’re going to have shit to deal with because of our wedding, but I don’t want you to worry about it.”

She pressed her sexy, swollen lips together. “Tonight is my wedding. I don’t want to talk about what will happen later unless it’s about what will happen once we’re alone.” She lowered her chin, and I could only imagine her cheeks filling with a rosy hue. “And maybe we shouldn’t talk about that.”

Stealing a look in her direction, I grinned. “You don’t need to worry about that either.”

“I’m not worried. I’m…” She lifted her hands to her face. “After that kiss…I’m curious.” She lowered her hands. “I chose you for my first kiss. I’m choosing you for all my firsts.”

“I fucking hope you never regret that decision.”

“I don’t plan on it.”

I pulled the rental car up to Aléjandro and Mia’s gate and pushed the button. Silas’s voice came from the box. “Identify yourself.”

“Dante Luciano, Silas.”

The gate before us opened.

Camila laid her head against the headrest. “I can’t believe we’re having a secret wedding at Aléjandro Roríguez’s home.”

A new thought came to me. “Will you regret not having a big wedding?” I turned to watch her expression.

Camila shook her head. “It’s so much. There’s too much pressure. I wish my parents were here and supportive, but that was their choice when they wouldn’t listen to me.” She exhaled. “Honestly, I’m happy to not have all the eyes of the cartel and Mafia on me. Or on our sheets tomorrow morning.” She reached over, laying her hand on my arm. “This is better.”

I exhaled. “Your parents, Jorge, and Dario…they’ll all be upset.”

“We’re here at Aléjandro’s home. He’s number two.”

“The location implies consent,” I said, putting the car in park.

“Does he really support us? If he does, that should help us with el Patrόn.”

“Mia has gotten to Aléjandro. He’s supporting us for her.”

“I wasn’t sure if she’d help me when I called.”

I reached for her hand and squeezed. “She’s on your side. Having two weddings she didn’t want has turned her into an advocate for the woman in these marriages.”

“She didn’t want to marry Jano? They seemed happy at their housewarming party.”

I shook my head. “She didn’t want to, but obviously, they worked through it.”

Camila looked down. “I suppose things could have worked out with Rei.” She looked up, turning to me. “But I don’t want him. I want you. I want this.”

“Me too.”

As we walked toward the house, Camila stopped. “Are my lips…? Will they know we kissed?”

I stared for a moment at her lips, her features. Her lips were pinkened and still swollen. Her vibrant emerald eyes sparkled with anticipation and trust. Camila Ruiz was fragile and breakable. Yet I never wanted her to be broken. My desire was for the whole world to see Camila shine in all her glory. “Let them speculate.”

“What if they think we did more?”

“Then I’ll kill them.”

Her eyes opened wide. “What?”

“No one discusses our sex life or speculates about it. If they do, I’ll cut their throats.”

“So, no one will look at our sheets tomorrow?”

“No.” I meant what I said.

A minute later, we entered Aléjandro’s home. Mia was waiting near the entry, smiling at Camila. If she saw anything in Camila’s lips, my sister didn’t say. Instead, she wrapped my fiancée in a hug. “We’re going to be sisters-in-law.”

Camila nodded.

Mia went on, “The priest is here, but if you want to go upstairs and get ready, there’s time.” Mia wrapped her arm around Camila, leading her away. “I’ve been searching my closet for something that might fit you. I’m obviously bigger than you are…”

Camila smiled over her shoulder as Mia led her up the stairs and their conversation disappeared into the bustle of the first floor.

Silas was out on the pool deck, stringing lights in a make-shift arch.

“Dante,” Aléjandro said, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Let me introduce you to Father Gallo.”

It felt as though I was in a dream where everything was in front of me, yet I was watching from far away. I pushed the sensation away and shook Father Gallo’s hand. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”

The priest went on to explain that the ceremony would cover the religious commitment and then he’d guide us through the online process, making our marriage a legal union.

“Our license will have today’s date?” I asked.

“As long as we hurry.”

It was already after eleven.

In the kitchen, Viviana was putting the finishing touches on a round cake with white frosting. “How did she make that so fast?” I asked Aléjandro in a whisper.

“She didn’t. Silas went out and bought a cake. She’s personalizing it.”

I met my brother-in-law’s gaze. “I’m sure this is difficult for you, the other man being Reinaldo and all.”

“Camila wants you.”

“And you approve?”

“I approved before Rei was in the picture. I wasn’t told about the change of plans until they were set.” He hesitated. “There will be unhappy people on both sides. We need to be prepared.” He clasped his hand on my shoulder. “Mia and I want you and Camila to spend tonight here.” He looked over at a large clock. “It’s late and if word gets out, this house is well protected with technology and manpower. If anything happened to Camila, the alliance could end up in a bloodbath.” 

“You think there could be dissent from members of the cartel?”

Aléjandro nodded. “Sí. The alliance is tenuous in the eyes of some. There was a balance achieved with my marriage. One bride to the famiglia and one to the cartel. Camila was supposed to stay in the cartel. Her marrying you is a blow to that balancing act.”

“We have your support?”

Aléjandro inhaled, squaring his shoulders. “Sí and my wife’s.”

I didn’t want to risk Camila’s safety. “Thank you. We’ll stay here.” I lowered my voice. “I promised Camila there would be no viewing the sheets in the morning.”

My brother-in-law grinned. “Then you’re at the right house. That isn’t one of your traditions that we uphold.”