Chapter 24

Isabella

I’d never been on a date.

Never.

Not even a school dance.

Attending an all-girls Catholic school didn’t give me much exposure to men in general. If this was a date, I wouldn’t know how to act. Maybe it was better for it to simply be a tour.

Em and I walked together through the security doors and said goodbye to Horace and the guard on duty. I reassured Horace that I was good.

High in the sky, the sun shone brightly, warming my cheeks. A gentle breeze blew strands of my hair as we exited the building and entered the parking lot. Once outside, Em placed his hand in the small of my back. I unintentionally stiffened.

He leaned down, his deep voice echoing in my ear. “Protecting you. Without Horace, that’s my job.”

I turned. The sight of his handsome face allowed me to relax. “My personal protection from a lieutenant. I should be honored.”

“No, I’m honored.” He led us to a sleek two-door black Mercedes. Compared to the SUV’s and sedans I’d been driven in, this car looked like it belonged on a racetrack. Em opened the passenger’s door. A luxurious ivory leather interior glistened in the sunlight, the new-car smell filling my senses.

“When José or Horace drives, I sit in the back seat.”

“Not today.” He motioned toward the front seat.

While the softness of the leather and the contour of the seat supported me as I sat down, I already missed the presence of Em’s touch on my lower back. I was trying to recall the last time I’d sat in a front seat. It was such a simplistic act and yet, as I stared at the elaborate dashboard, large screen, and windshield, I couldn’t come up with a time.

Em’s long legs bent as he sat in the driver’s seat. The fresh scent of his cologne mixed with the leather aroma as he started the car. The soft rumble of the engine told me that while this vehicle may look like a race car, it was all luxury.

My heart beat faster as the gate to the parking lot moved, we turned the opposite direction from Mia’s house, and we entered the city of San Diego. Being here with Em was nothing like riding with bodyguards. Even the view from the front seat was exciting and new.

I turned to my tour guide. “Thank you. I’ve been excited about this since you asked.” I leaned back as he guided us through traffic. “But being here now...” I hummed. “This is exhilarating.”

“If fighting five o’clock traffic is your idea of fun, I can’t wait to see what you think of where we’re headed.”

“Where are we headed?”

He reached over, laying his hand on my thigh. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

My breath caught. Swallowing, I stared at his hand. When it didn’t move, I shifted my gaze to his profile. “This isn’t a date, right?” My voice came out less confident than I would have liked.

Instead of moving his hand, he gently squeezed my thigh. For a brief moment, he turned toward me, his dark gaze drinking me in. “If it’s all right with you, I’d rather not define whatever this is until the evening is over.”

This wasn’t real.

“Okay.” I let out a breath and leaned back, taking in the surroundings.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“If the tour includes food, I wouldn’t complain.”

His lips curled. “Good, because we have reservations at one of my favorite restaurants. I hope you like Italian.”

I pushed against his muscular arm. “You don’t ask an Italian if they like Italian. It’s like me asking if you like Mexican food.”

“I do.” He peered my way. “The spicier, the better. I also like Italian.”

He peered over, looking at my feet.

“What?” I asked.

“The restaurant has valet parking. I was checking to see if you had walking shoes or non-walking shoes. The self-parking is about a seven-minute walk.”

“I don’t mind walking.” I looked down at the ballet flats I’d put on this morning. I wasn’t much for high heels. “My shoes are comfortable.”

“Good,” he said. “I don’t like strangers having access to my car, and walking will give me a chance to show you around.” 

After parking in a garage, Em opened my door and offered me his hand. I stared at his large palm and long fingers before placing my hand in his. His fingers encased mine as I stood. When we made it back to street level, my first clue to where we were was the numerous Italian flags flying from the buildings.

I turned to him. “Is this Little Italy?”

“It is.”

My body vibrated with excitement at seeing all the people on the sidewalks and seated in outdoor dining areas. The crowd was eclectic. “Thank you. This was a great choice.” I spun around, letting my hair flow in the breeze as I looked down the street. When I stilled, Em reached for my shoulders.

“You are so fucking full of life.”

I smiled. “This feels like I’ve been let out of prison.”

“You’re free, Isabella. This is only the beginning.” He reached for my hand.

I didn’t protest or stiffen as our fingers intertwined.

We headed north. With sunshine and fresh air on our faces and my hand in his, I marveled at the people, casually sitting, drinking cocktails, and eating delicacies. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught our reflection in large plate glass windows.

Do we look like a couple?

I pushed that thought away and took in the surroundings. Barricades separated the street from the numerous restaurants. Strings of lights and pots overflowing with flowers added to the unique beauty. I leaned against his arm and whispered. “After the last couple of weeks, I expected gun battles in the streets and boarded-up windows.” 

“Wars aren’t new. Most people don’t realize what’s happening right under their noses. They’re like you. They want to see the best of people. That pureness of heart isn’t shared by everyone.”

I gripped his hand tighter. “Are there bad things here that I don’t see?”

He looked down at me. “Yes, but I see them. I won’t allow it to darken your view.”

Sighing, I leaned my head against his arm. “I feel safe with you.”

“I’d fucking kill for you without hesitation.”

A grin curled my lips. “Trying to up that kill count for the day.”

To my shock, Em leaned down and kissed the top of my head.

In the middle of the sidewalk, I stopped walking and let go of his hand. Nibbling on my lip, I looked up and asked, “What’s happening?”

Em inhaled and moved us closer to a building and out of foot traffic. “I want you, Isabella. I thought I did at Ariadna Gia’s birthday.” He shook his head. “That day, it was your exquisite beauty that drew me to you. Now, it’s more. It’s your fucking perseverance. It’s watching you come alive at the apartments and with the tenants.” His lips quirked. “In a car in fucking horrible traffic and now here on the street in Little Italy. Over the past two weeks, I came up with any excuse to go to the apartments even when my schedule said I shouldn’t. I can’t get enough of you. I’m mesmerized. I know—or I can imagine—what you’ve been told from your family about us, the cartel. I’ve been trying to show you that while we aren’t the good guys, we aren’t the bad ones either.”

With each word, I watched the way his lips moved, feeling warmth brought on by the closeness of our bodies. Without thinking, I pushed up on my tiptoes and brought my lips to his.

My first kiss.

His large palms framed my cheeks as he held me close to him. His lips pushed back. Fireworks exploded behind my closed eyes, as shock waves reverberated through my nervous system. My hands landed on top of his as I stepped back, gasping for breath.

Slowly, the world around us reappeared. The people passing by. Sounds of talking and traffic. The scents from the various restaurants. The warmth of the sunshine.

I pressed my tingling lips together and lowered my forehead to his chest. “I don’t know why I did that,” I mumbled, looking down and listening to the rapid drumming of Em’s heart.

With a finger and thumb, he lifted my chin. “You can do that” —his words rumbled in his chest— “whenever the urge hits. You’re going to be mine. Fuck that. You are mine, Isabella.”

I shook my head. “My father will never…”

Steadying my chin, he lowered his firm lips to mine. I pushed back, wanting the amazing sensation one more time. When our lips separated, his deep timbre filled my ears. “I’m not fucking letting you go, not back to Kansas City, not anywhere without my ring on your finger and me at your side.”

Tears prickled the back of my eyes. “That was my first kiss and my second. I was so wrong about you. My parents were wrong—about so much. But if I get my hopes up, I’m afraid you won’t only be my first kiss. You’ll be my first heartbreak.”

“That’s not going to happen. But there will be many more firsts.” His intense stare gleamed as his devilish smile made my core twist. “How many dates have you been on?”

It was my turn to smile. “This is my first one.”

He reached for my hand and tugged. “Come on, we have reservations. I want to make this first date something you’ll never forget.”

It already was.