Epilogue - Chapter 1

Second Saturday in September

Mia

Standing on a chair, I secured the welcome sign above the table with a pink-icing cake decorated with ‘Welcome, Ariadna Gia’ scrolled in white frosting. While this gathering was to be our housewarming party, it would also be Ariadna’s first visit to the West Coast. She had an entire side of her family anxious to meet her.

“Qué estás haciendo?”

I turned and smiled at the deep voice.

His brow furrowed as he looked in my direction. “No.” He reached for my waist and lifted me, helping me down. My shoes landed on the tile floor. “Don’t do things like that.”

Tilting my chin up, I grinned. “It’s a chair. I was what, two feet in the air?”

With his hands still on my waist, he tugged me close. “You have Viviana, Silas, and me.” He released one hand and splayed his fingers over my stomach. “And our bebé. Your number-one job is to be careful.”

My cheeks rose as my smile grew. I looked down at his large hand and back to his stunningly protective gaze. “I’m well. The doctor has reassured us that the baby is too. Everything is on schedule as much as it can be for only eight weeks.”

“You’re going to stay that way even if I have to cover you in bubble wrap.”

“Bubble wrap may be a hindrance to my new addiction.” I’d read that an upsurge in hormones can cause an increased sex drive. Whatever the cause, as of late, my libido had been insatiable. That’s not exactly true. I’m satisfied and satiated but always wanting more.

Aléjandro’s smile grew. “If anyone would have told me four months ago that I was marrying a nymphomaniac, I wouldn’t have believed them.”

“Me either.” Warmth climbed from my décolletage to my cheeks. “You’re responsible for my addiction.”

He kissed my nose. “I’ll shoulder all the blame.”

If the cartel was selling whatever magic Aléjandro had, they’d be set for life.

“Everything is ready,” I said, looking around our living room and out to the pool deck. “Viviana and I have been cooking for days. Currently, she’s meeting with the hired waitstaff.”

“Silas has the house well-guarded. Even though Gerardo is no longer a threat, having mi padre and the Kansas City capo in the same home is reason for precaution.” He tilted his head. “Have you decided if we can announce our news tonight?”

“I know some people like to wait, but I don’t want to.” I was practically buzzing with excitement. “I want to tell my mom and Giorgia in person. Jorge and Josefina too. I never thought I’d have a child and now we are.” Lifting my touch, I cupped my husband’s freshly shaved cheek. “Four months ago, I never dreamed I’d be this happy.”

“Then it’s settled. The other announcement can wait.”

Dropping my hand, I pinched my eyebrows together. “What other announcement?”

“Mi padre has approved another marriage.”

My stomach sank. “Not Liliana.”

Aléjandro shook his head. “No.”

“Good. I’m hoping I can convince her to help me at the new housing units. If she stays in San Diego.”

“She doesn’t want to go back to Sacramento. Padre is sending Rei up there for the time being. I’m going to miss him, but I know he’ll do well.”

“Is he going to live in Gerardo’s home?”

“For now.” My husband grinned. “It’s bigger than Andrés’s pool house.” 

“Is he marrying…someone from the famiglia?”

“No, and I’m not saying more. I hear things are coming along at the school.”

He’d changed the subject to my other new passion.

“Things are progressing. Gutting the place took longer than planned, but now the renovation is moving quickly.” I was particularly pleased with all that had been accomplished in a relatively short time. We were already beyond the one-month schedule, but the end was near. To my delight, Aléjandro offered me the position of overseeing the school-slash-new housing.

I didn’t think he expected me to take to the project with so much enthusiasm.

I’d met with the Wanderland workers multiple times at the halfway house where they were staying. The place was cramped. Once the school was done, it would be as if they’d moved to a mansion.

Silas didn’t hover, but he was always nearby. My husband didn’t want me to go to Wanderland, and I respected his wishes.

This was the first time the women have had someone who cared about their day-to-day lives, someone who listened without ‘checking out’ the merchandise. Nicolas wasn’t exactly happy about my position. Surprisingly, Em and Nick were fine. By taking on the role as their advocate, Aléjandro said I was the new humanitarian and philanthropic wing of the Roríguez cartel.

My husband and I discussed me continuing my education. He brought it up one night, saying he remembered me mentioning it. His thoughtfulness never ceased to amaze me. There might be a time I’d want to follow in Catalina’s and Camila’s footsteps, but for now, I was plenty busy with the workers, getting them moved into their new housing, and planning some new endeavors. “Have you thought any more about my idea for tutoring?”

Aléjandro exhaled. “Nicolas is concerned about turnover. He thinks if you educate the women, they will want to leave.”

“So?”

My husband grinned.

“Over sixty percent of them don’t have a high school diploma. Tutoring them and encouraging them to get their GEDs will open more possibilities to them for their future. If that means they move on to another profession, good for them. If they choose to stay because the cartel is giving them opportunities they couldn’t get elsewhere, that’s good too.”

“What about after the bebé is born?”

“That isn’t until late April. By then, we will have a better idea who is needed at the school and employ more people. And like I said, I’m hoping to involve Liliana.”

“When Dario told me that you’d be a handful, I never expected that you’d cause disruption with Wanderland workers and lieutenants.”

“I’m not a disruption,” I said with a grin. “I’m the humanitarian arm of the Roríguez cartel, remember? Maybe we should advertise.” I batted my eyelashes. “I’d promise to be less trouble if you told me about this upcoming wedding, but I probably won’t. I’m excited about doing something that’s meaningful for others.” 

I recalled the last time I’d seen Dante. “Is it Dante…the marriage?”

Aléjandro didn’t verbally respond, but I was getting to know this man well enough to read his body language. A solid muscular book that I enjoyed reading from cover to cover. “I’m right. Who does he want to marry and has she been told?”

“She hasn’t.”

“That is bullshit,” I said. “The men making the plans without the woman’s knowledge is archaic and misogynistic.”

“Guilty as charged,” he said, flashing his smile. “Watch at tonight’s party and let me know if you have a clue.”

“She’ll be here?”

Aléjandro nodded.

Biting my lower lip, I mentally did a rundown of guests. “I’m going to figure this out.”

“If you do, don’t say a word. It will come out soon enough.”

“Maybe I’ll warn her that her future is being planned without her consent.”

Aléjandro shook his head. “If you do, I’ll enjoy reddening your ass.”

The threat shouldn’t melt my insides and put a smile on my face, but it did.