Chapter 5

A little earlier

Camila

I tried not to notice Dante hurrying past us without a word. My concentration was on my sister. Even though we’d recently seen her at the wedding, I couldn’t get over how she absolutely glowed, dressed like a stereotypical Mafia wife in a flowing white pantsuit, large chunky gold jewelry, and low heels. Her long dark hair spilled over her shoulders in waves. Leaving our luggage behind, Mama and I rushed toward Catalina. The opulent surroundings were a blur. This wasn’t my first visit to Dario and Catalina’s home, and in my opinion, the opulent surroundings weren’t as stunning as my sister. We both stepped back, peering down at Cat’s growing midsection.

“How are you feeling?” Mama asked.

“Tired,” Cat said with a smile. “We only returned from California yesterday.” She reached for each of our hands and squeezed as tears teetered on her eyelids. “How are you both?”

“Glad we’re here,” I said.

“I couldn’t believe it when Dario told me.” My sister laid her hand over her round belly as her gaze went to Miguel. After tilting her head, she went to him and wrapped her arms around his torso.

“Mrs. Luciano.”

Stepping back, she shook her head. “I’m still Catalina.” Her smile grew. “Thank you for keeping them safe.”

Miguel nodded.

Contessa, Cat’s housekeeper, appeared. “Welcome.” After our greetings she directed the two men to take our luggage to our assigned bedrooms.

As the three of us made our way into Cat’s living room, my sister pressed against her stomach as her expression contorted. “Our little one has been very active.”

Biting my lip, I watched as Mama laid her hand over Cat’s stomach. It didn’t take long for Mama’s sad expression from earlier to disappear as she felt her first grandchild move and kick.

“Do you want to feel?” Cat asked, looking at me.

“I mean, if you don’t mind.”

Cat reached for my hand. “Don’t be afraid to push. I promise I won’t break.”

It took a few seconds, but then I too had a large smile. “Oh my God. There’s a baby in there.”

Catalina laughed. “I sure hope so.” Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating an aura around her as she sat near the end of a sofa. “Tell me, are you both all right?”

Mama and I took seats, me in a nearby chair and Mama next to Catalina. Over the course of the next thirty or more minutes, we both recounted what we knew and remembered of the nighttime ambush.

“Dario hasn’t said much,” Cat said, “but I heard him talking on his phone to Dante. I’m so glad he was still in California to bring the two of you here.”

“Why was he still there?” I asked.

“Camila,” Mama chastised.

“It’s a simple question. He must have planned to stay longer than you and Dario. I mean, he had a plane waiting.”

Cat shrugged. “I don’t know.”

My nose scrunched. “I thought Dario talked to you.”

“He does,” Cat replied defensively. “Dante flew into San Diego after us. In all honesty, I was too concerned that traveling wouldn’t be good for the baby to have been thinking about anyone else.”

“You just entered your third trimester,” Mama said. “You’re a healthy young woman. You shouldn’t worry. Normal activities are safe.”

A pink hue filled my sister’s cheeks as she looked down and back up, inhaling. “I’m sure Papá would have supplied you with a plane. This just worked out easier.”

“Almost too easy,” I muttered under my breath.

Mama shot a look in my direction. “Andrés didn’t mean for me to overhear, but yesterday evening, Aléjandro and Mia’s new home was ransacked.”

“What?” Cat and I asked together.

“Was Mia hurt?” Cat asked with genuine concern.

Mama shook her head. “No one was home. The break-in was why the two of them went out on the Bella.”

Catalina’s green eyes opened wide. “Mia’s on the Bella. Oh, wait until I tell Dario.”

“I didn’t know about their house,” I said, “but the Bella would be a great honeymoon if it wasn’t with Aléjandro.”

Catalina laughed before asking, “Was Rei at your house during the attack?”

Mama shook her head. “What I overheard was that Jorge wanted both the boys on the Bella.”

Boys. Aléjandro and Rei were both older than me.

I stood. “See, this is suspicious. If el Patrόn knew there was danger and then we were attacked…”

Cat questioned, “Could the two invasions be connected?”

Mama inhaled. “There’s a common denominator.”

“The famiglia,” Cat said, covering her pregnant belly, her expression sobering. “You could have been hurt because of me.”

“No,” Mama protested. “You did what was expected of you, just as I’m sure Mia did. The alliance isn’t the problem. The problem is other people’s opinion about the alliance.”

“Other people?” I asked. “Cartel or famiglia?”

Cat shook her head. “It could be either or both. Dario’s been communicating with el Patrόn.” She met Mama’s gaze. “I’m so sorry about Luis. He was a good man.”

“He was.”

Catalina stood. “No more talk of attacks or deaths. I’m so happy to have the two of you here for a while. And I bet you’re both tired. Let’s go in the kitchen and see what Contessa has planned for lunch and then, if you want, you can rest.”

“Or we could get out of here.” I flashed my sister a smile. “I know, we could take Mom to Emerald Club.”

Cat closed her eyes and shook her head. “Camila, you’re obsessed.”

“Well, you know, I was almost kidnapped by the bratva. It got me thinking about the sex workers.” When Mama looked at me, aghast, I continued, “You know, if I was forced to become one.”

“Stop,” Mama commanded. “No more talk of such things. You’re both ladies. Just because things like that exist, we don’t need to discuss it.”

It wasn’t Mama’s words, but my sister’s pleading look that made me change the subject. Looking around, I took in the lovely surroundings. “Is Jasmine here?”

Jasmine was…it was a long story, but she grew up with Cat’s husband, Dario. Cat thinks of her as his daughter even though they aren’t related by blood or marriage. Yes, it’s complicated.

“She’s back in New York,” Cat said. “She found a part-time job at a museum near the university.”

“A museum?” Mama asked. “What’s her major?”

“She has a double major,” Cat replied with pride. “She’s studying history, particularly the Renaissance, and archaeology.”

“Wow,” I said, thinking about my major of interior design.

Cat went on, “Dario has always been a collector of fine things and unbeknownst to him, his interest sparked hers.”

Mama’s smile grew. “Cat, there’s so much more to your husband than we were told.”

“There is,” Cat agreed. “In a world of danger, he’s a good man.”

Mama looped her arm with Cat’s. “I’m proud of you.” She turned to me. “And of you too.”

I lifted my hands. “I’ll let Cat be married and have the babies. I want to see more of the world than SoCal and Missouri.”

“Is there more?” Cat asked with a grin.

Our conversations around the kitchen quieted as Dario entered. I couldn’t help but think that it must be difficult to live with a man who exuded power the way the capo dei capi did. It surrounded him like an impenetrable cloud. Without uttering a word, he’d garnered all our attention.

“Valentina,” he said in a deep, pleasing voice, going to Mama and offering her an embrace.

Catalina’s smile shone, lighting up the room.

“Dario,” Mama said, “thank you for opening your home to Camila and me.”

“This is Catalina’s home too.” He almost grinned. “And you’re always welcome.”

“Camila.”

The mention of my name drew my attention back to my brother-in-law. I’d mindlessly been watching the swing door, hoping that Dante would follow. My gaze met Dario’s. “Thank you.”

He cleared his throat. “I don’t know how to put this another way.” He had our attention. “Until we can be certain of what’s happening, I’d like the three of you to remain in the apartment.”

Pressing my lips together, I looked from my mother to my sister. They were both nodding obediently. “Are we talking hours, days, weeks?” I asked.

“Camila,” Mama chastised.

The swinging door opened as Dante stepped in. His dark eyes searched our faces before settling back on Dario. “Oh, this is the ‘you are forbidden to go anywhere’ speech, isn’t it?” Before Dario or anyone could respond, Dante went on, his lips curling into a grin, “Who was asking about how long?”

“That was me,” I said bravely, taking in the definition in his muscular arms.

His brown-eyed gaze came to me, warming my circulation. “I’m sure you can find something to keep you busy while we make sure that Kansas City is safe.”

“It’s not a problem,” Mama replied, reaching for my hand. “Is it, Camila?”

“I’d rather go to Emerald Club, but I suppose hanging out here is almost as exciting.”

Dante’s smile twitched, before he turned to Dario, asking to speak to him alone.

After lunch, I slipped away, going upstairs to the same room where I’d stayed on my last visit. On the big bed, I found my suitcase. While it was only early afternoon in Kansas City, Mama and I had been awake since the alarms rang over eight hours ago. I opened my suitcase and found a pair of shorts and a t-shirt before stripping out of my travel clothes.

The warm water of the shower sprayed over my skin as the emotions of the long day bubbled out of me. Tears I’d held back since Papá’s hug streamed down my cheeks as sobs came from my chest. It was the first time since the attack that I truly allowed myself to recognize the trauma. The scents of shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash filled the humidity with sweetness. With my stomach full and my body washed, I chose to climb under the covers in the large bed.

Sleep came quickly, whisking me into dreamland.

At the raging of the alarms, I woke to the sound of screaming. It took me a moment to realize that I was the one yelling. Clamping my lips together, I quickly sat up, scooted against the headboard, and with trembling hands, pulled the blankets up to my shoulders. Peering around the bedroom, I saw everything, from my suitcase and clothes strewn about to the solid furniture. I hadn’t closed the blinds. The sky beyond the window was light blue with fluffy white clouds.

There was absolutely no reason for me to have screamed.

No alarms.

No intruders.

No need for a safe room.

Did Catalina have a safe room? Did I want to know that answer?

Closing my eyes, I thought back to the invasion. I couldn’t remember screaming or even crying while it was happening. If I didn’t scream then, why was I doing it now?

I checked my phone and learned it was after five in the afternoon.

In the bathroom, I splashed my face with cool water and stared into my green eyes. My hair in my reflection was a mess. My choice was to wet my hair down again or braid the wavy tangles into submission. I chose the braid. As I looked through my clothes for something appropriate to wear to dinner, I remembered Dante’s dinnertime visits when I was last here.

There wasn’t any rhyme or reason to the clothes I packed. Maybe my sister wouldn’t mind if I borrowed a sundress. I’d also add a little makeup and a dab of perfume. Dante may not notice me, but if he did, I wanted him to see I wasn’t a little girl.

I stopped walking outside Catalina’s suite at the sound of voices within.

She used to tell me that I was the master eavesdropper. I wasn’t really. It was more opportunistic. Quietly, I leaned closer to the door.