Chapter 6

Isabella

Rafaele and I deboarded the airplane at our final destination. Exiting first class, we were some of the first passengers to make our way up the long jet bridge. With each step, I tried to remind myself of the promise I’d made to my siblings, the promise to use this experience to learn, to explore, and to see more of the world. As we stepped into the San Diego airport, I glanced out the large windows, seeing rows of commercial airplanes parked at gate after gate. This wasn’t exactly seeing more of the world, but it was a start.

“Miss Isabella,” Rafaele said as we stepped away from the parade of people. “Wait with me as I call Mr. Ramírez and let him know we’ve arrived.” When I didn’t respond, he added, “Silas Ramírez is the head of el Patrόn’s security.”

I nodded my response.

These were names I’d need to learn. I nibbled on my lower lip as Rafaele spoke discreetly into his phone. There were so many uncertainties running laps through my thoughts. Taking a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders. There were things I couldn’t or wouldn’t allow myself to concentrate on. For one, eighteen years old was hardly old. I couldn’t drink alcohol, and I’d never learned how to drive. Nevertheless, I was officially an adult. Even if my father and the capo didn’t agree, I could legally make my own decisions. My thoughts went to Aldo Ricci. Marrying him wouldn’t be my decision.

As I waited by Rafaele’s side, I had the epiphany that I’d always had a bodyguard, one of my father’s men, at my side. It wasn’t as if I gave any thought about trusting them. I simply did.

What would happen when it was no longer a famiglia guard?

The questions came faster than the answers. Despite the mayhem multiplying in my mind and wreaking havoc on my emotions, I stood tall, refusing to display my insecurities. I may never know why the capo demanded this of me, but I wouldn’t let it bring me down. I’d show Mia and the others that I was ready to attack the world head-on.

After his call ended, Rafaele sent a text message and placed his phone in the inside breast pocket of his suit coat. “Mr. Ramírez is waiting in the car. Mr. Horace Torres will join us in luggage return.”

“Torres?” I asked. “Who is he?”

Rafaele inhaled as he led me through the long hallways and connecting walkways. “He has been assigned to you.”

“My new bodyguard.” I verbalized my recent thought. “How do I know if I can trust him?”

“I’ve sent a text message to Mr. Luciano. Dante will send a report quickly, and we’ll know all we can about him.”

I let out a breath. “Do you always do that…background checks?”

Rafaele nodded. “No one gets near the famiglia who hasn’t been vetted.”

That made me think. “But all the cartel that show up at the capo’s home. Surely, they haven’t all been vetted.”

His jaw clenched. “Every one of them.”

“So, they’re not murderers and rapists?”

“A spotless crime report isn’t required. Understanding and trust is.”

We walked through the crowd in silence, following the signs. As we neared the terminal with the luggage return, I asked, “What about Papà, Uncle Salvatore, or even Dante? If a crime report was to be run on them, would it be clean?”

Rafaele shook his head. “There’s much the police don’t know.”

Before I could give this train of thought more of my attention, a man wearing a dark suit not too different from Rafaele’s, holding a tablet that read Miss Luciano, caught my attention. My heartbeat accelerated as I scanned the man up and down. It was difficult to judge, but I’d guess that he was older than Rafaele and younger than my father. Physically, he appeared to meet the unwritten bodyguard code—tall, fit, and buff. The gold band on his left hand let me know that he was also married.

“Miss Luciano,” he said with a bow of his head.

I wasn’t sure why I expected him to have an accent. He didn’t.

“Yes,” I replied. “And you are Mr. Torres?”

“I am Horace Torres. You may address me as Horace. I’ll be at your service throughout your stay.” He turned to Rafaele. “You will join Miss Luciano until we reach Señora Roríguez’s home.”

Even though it wasn’t a question, Rafaele answered in the affirmative. As Rafaele gathered my checked bags, Horace kept a watchful eye on the crowd. Once my bags were accounted for, Horace led us out to the street. I was immediately hit with the contrast to Kansas City—the presence of palm trees and the lack of humidity. While the air was warm, it wasn’t the oppressiveness I was used to during a Missouri summer. We came to a waiting black SUV, and Horace opened the rear door for me.

“Welcome,” an older man, also wearing a suit, said from the driver’s seat. Unlike Horace, his accent was noticeable.

“Thank you. Are you Mr. Ramírez?”

“Sí. Please call me Silas.”

It appeared we would all be on a first-name basis.

Rafaele took the seat to my side as Silas pulled the SUV away from the curb and began to drive. I’d never been to Mia’s home. I’d only been to Catalina and Camila’s parents’ home for Mia’s wedding.

Some questions came to mind. Not wanting to be overheard, I took my phone from my purse and sent text messages to Rafaele.

“Has Dante replied?”

He responded.

“Not yet.”

Me.

“Why did he call it Mia’s house and not el Patrόn’s?”

Him.

“Safer. Roríguez is not an unusual name. Since Jorge Roríguez’s death, they must be careful.”

I nodded my response, unable to put my thoughts and concerns into words.

Silas spoke, “Miss Luciano, Mia is looking forward to your arrival. You will spend today and tonight at her home, and tomorrow, Horace will take you to Mia’s office at the apartment building.”

“Please, call me Isabella.”

Silas nodded.

We were on a highway only for a short time. Once off, the streets wound around with no true grid pattern. The passing scenes beyond the windows were nothing like I was used to. Tall palm trees lined the streets, bushes sported large vibrant flowers of all colors, and the sky was cobalt blue. Beautiful homes with varying architecture could be seen on both sides of the street until they couldn’t. The homes were replaced with elaborate gates and shrubbery.

My phone vibrated in my grip. I looked down and read Rafaele’s text message:

Dante’s report came back. Horace passed.

I turned to him and nodded.

Thank you, Dante.

Silas drove up to a solid gate painted white with gold filigree. He passed a badge beneath a scanner and the gate moved slowly to the side. A wide driveway made of bricks led to an ultra-modern home. My attention went to the pair of armed cartel guards, one on either side of the inside gate. They weren’t making any attempt to conceal the long guns they had strapped over their shoulders. If my mother or Noemi were present, I’d reach for one of their hands. Instead, I clutched my purse tighter.

Silas stopped the SUV on the bricks and Horace hurried from the front seat to open Rafaele’s door. As Rafaele stepped out, the two guards began to approach. Silas, now also out of the SUV, said something to them in Spanish, and they both retook their original spots. It was Horace who offered me his hand as I exited the SUV.

The only words I recognized as Horace addressed the guards was my name. They merely nodded. My attention went to the surroundings as I passed through the gate. Large pavers and rocks covered the ground between the gate and house. Smaller sandstone rocks decorated the exterior of the lower level. There was also a trellis covered in vines that sheltered what appeared to be a small patio. Before I could take more in, the door opened, and my cousin appeared.

“Isabella,” Mia said. “I’m happy you’re here.” She came forward and wrapped me in a hug. With her arm around my shoulders, she led me into her home. “I wasn’t sure we could convince your mother to let you come out west. I’m glad we did.”

We.

Did she think I was for this trip in any way?

Along a hallway, we passed by a closed door. The sound of male voices speaking in a language I didn’t understand gave me a cold chill.

“That’s Jano’s office. Just ignore it.”

Before I could reply, I saw the front—or would it be the back—of their home. Large glass doors were open to a stunning patio and pool. It was what was beyond that caught my attention. The Pacific Ocean. “Oh, Mia. This is amazing.” I took a step toward the doors, feeling the summer breeze and smelling the salty aroma of the ocean. “Your home. I had no idea it was…” I turned to her. “I remember your townhouse in Kansas City.”

Mia pressed her lips together and nodded.

“This is…it’s so much nicer.”

“Everything here is nicer than Kansas City. Don’t tell my brother I said that, but it’s the truth.”

As if chatting with the capo was ever on my agenda.

Rafaele, Silas, and Horace appeared behind me with my suitcases.

“Did you leave any clothes at home?” Mia asked as she scanned the three large suitcases and a smaller carry-on.

“I had no idea what to pack. What I will wear when I’m working. If I’ll need anything nicer…”

She laughed. “I guess you just packed it all.” She turned to Silas. “Please take her things up to the spare bedroom we discussed.” She turned back to me. “After you meet Liliana tonight—she’s coming over for dinner so we can talk shop—if you want to live with her instead of here, that’s still your choice.”

“Papà said—”

Mia shook her head. “I promised Uncle Carmine you would be safe. You will be protected in either place. Consider this month a taste of what it’s like to make your own decisions. I sure as hell wish someone would have shown me that when I was your age. It would have saved a lot of pain.”

Mia’s the wife of el Patrόn. She couldn’t possibly make her own decisions.

Could she?

She turned to Rafaele and extended her hand. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Mrs. Mor—” He stopped. “Mrs. Roríguez.”

“That’s right. And if you report anything that I just said to Carmine or Dario, you will live to regret it.”

Rafaele’s eyes opened wide, and he grinned. “My job was to transport Miss Isabella safely to you.”

“And you’ve done a fabulous job. Would you like a drink or something to eat before you leave?”

“No, ma’am.” He turned to me. “Miss Isabella, are you satisfied if I leave for Kansas City now?”

Satisfied.

Holy shit.

I wasn’t sure who this new Mia was, but I was excited to find out. “Thank you, Rafaele. As Mia said, you did a fabulous job.” I took a step closer to Mia. “I’ll be fine.”