He hesitated, eyes slightly narrowed as he studied me. “I’ll be the first to admit it was for selfish reasons. Greed. Ambition. Amalia has always been beautiful…” Antonio Montesinos sucked in a deep breath, as though deciding whether to continue his story. “I wanted to capitalize on that,” he finally said.
Anger raged inside me at the thought that Amalia’s own father had all but sold her soul for money. Used his daughter’s beauty as a tool to gain more power. To this day, he was willing to risk her life for his own greed. The same way Ronan had used Derek and me.
It was my turn to exhale forcefully and relax before I did or said something I’d regret, if only because I knew she and him were close, and I’d never do anything to hurt her.
I said nothing and used the rag on my shoulder to polish a random spot on Gloria’s dash.
“Kai, I know that makes me sound like a piece-of-shit father. I used my daughter’s pretty face for my own gain, but it was also the best way to keep her from the same fate that most women in our world are subject to. An arranged marriage.”
I stopped my frantic wiping.
“I know about you and Amalia.”
“Then you know this is exactly that.”
“No, what exists between you and her is completely different than what would have happened to her if I’d been forced to marry her to some drug lord’s son. I would have lost my only daughter.”
I hated that he made sense. And I hated even more that we seemed more alike now than five minutes ago because, selfishly, I’d prefer to have her in my life the way she was than married off to some spineless bastard who would have treated her like nothing more than an object to showcase, fuck, and discard when he pleased.
“Isabel and I are headed back to Sinaloa tonight. Gio asked to stay until the end of his vacation. But I know you two are newlyweds and probably want—”
“You’re leaving? In the middle of all this?” I tossed the rag to the floor and eyed him, face twisted in disgust at his disregard for his daughter’s safety.
“I don’t have a choice. Business doesn’t wait for personal matters to resolve. And despite what you might think, Amalia has protection and can handle herself. Gio, on the other hand…”
If I had to guess how much of what’s happened in the last weeks was due to Antonio’s shady dealings, I knew myassumptions would be right. I knew he loved his daughter but loved money and power even more. After all, he hadn’t done a damn thing, but allowed her to risk her life, time and time again.
“Gio can stay, but with everything going on, I’m not sure if—”
“That’s not fair, Kai. I thought we were friends.” Gio was standing by the door, leaning against the frame with a reproachful look. “And besides, this is nothing new. Growing up a Montesinos, there’s a new threat every week. Just because you all thought I was in the dark doesn’t mean it was any lessdangerous,” he added with air quotes.
Maybe the kid had a point, but it would have been easier not to have to babysit or worry about him getting caught up.
“Kai is right, Gio.”
“Papá, I’m not a kid anymore. Please stop treating me like I’m not part of this family.” His voice was tinged with hurt and resentment, and I suddenly felt like I was intruding. “I’ll stay out of trouble, I promise. But don’t make me leave because you think I’m too weak. It’s what you’ve thought about me my whole life.”
Antonio looked away and said nothing, not even to deny his son’s claim. I never knew what a good father was growing up. Never had one. The father figures in my life were scum. I’d convinced myself that because of that, I’d never be worth a damn at being someone’s dad. But Derek had proved me wrong. Maybe it was the circumstances, the fact he’d had his daughter with the woman he loved. But I found myself contemplating the idea that maybe someday…
Maybe.
As if I’d manifested her in my thoughts, my wife was pulling up in the passenger side of Holly’s vehicle. I didn’t realize how big I was smiling until the sides of my cheeks started to burn. Amalia hopped out, looking too goddamn good for me to express how much I missed her, while her father and brother stoodjust steps away. Her smile widened the moment we made eye contact.
She’d been at a meeting this morning with her girls, then called to tell me she’d be running errands with Holly. I felt like a pathetic bastard because I missed the hell out of her after just a few hours. Maybe that’s why I washed and waxed her goddamn car and sat in the driver’s seat because the interior and seatbelt strap smelled like her perfume.
Fuck me, I was gone. Completely fucking done for.
“Hey, handsome,” she said before wrapping her arms around my neck and climbing onto my waist, her legs around me, and I held an ass cheek in each hand. “I missed you.” Her mouth was on mine in the next second, and for that moment, I didn’t care that we weren’t alone. That I was sweaty, filthy, and missing a shirt, while she was dressed in sleek beige pants and a silky white tank top, looking every bit like a powerful woman.
“Come on, Gio. Let’s give the lovebirds a moment to get reacquainted after a grueling morning apart.” Amalia peered around me at the sound of Holly’s laughter as she dragged Gio inside the home. I hadn’t noticed when Antonio left or seen where he’d gone off to, but nothing else mattered but the woman in my arms.
“You’re bad for business, Cain.” She nipped at my bottom lip.
“How so?”
“You have any idea how hard it was to focus on anything going on around me? To have to get up and speak, schedule, and arrange shipments when all I wanted to do was come home to you and get fucked.”
Every ounce of blood in my body migrated to my pants.
