"How do you know all this?" I ask. "How are you getting information about Andre's plans?"
Frankie tucks his phone away, his expression neutral.
"I have my ways. You will see your cousins tomorrow."
"Will you be there?" I ask, as excitement at seeing some family blooms inside me.
“No…Rio’s brother will take you.”
I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion. This will be the first time I leave the estate without Frankie by my side. He looks worried and I want to ask why but then another question invades my mind.
"What's he like?" I ask. "Rio, I mean. Is he…nice?"
‘God that sounds ridiculous. Is the cartel son nice…really, Liana?’
Frankie's expression is unreadable and I almost think he won’t answer me.
"He's complicated."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I can give you right now."
He steps closer, close enough that I can smell his cologne and feel the heat radiating from his body.
"I have to leave now, Datura."
I shake my head okay. I know he can’t stay with me in my room so of course he has to leave, but why do his words sound so final. His hand rubs against my side where my tattoo is covered by only the thin fabric of my t-shirt. Before I can think better of it, I lift up on my tip toes and pull his head down towards mine. His lips touch mine briefly and heat blazes through my body before he pulls away. He looks down at me as his hand cups my cheek. He doesn’t say anything but I can see it in his eyes. The question.
“I won’t ever regret our night together,” I whisper.
A small smirk plays across his lips.
“I’ll remember those words, Datura.”
His thumb brushes across my lower lip and then he's kissing me hard. It’s desperate, like he’s drowning, the way his mouth claims mine with a hunger that steals my breath away. His arms wrap around me to pull me flush againsthim and I respond instantly, clutching at his shoulders. This kiss feels different from the others. It tastes like goodbye.
All too soon, he stops our kiss, resting his forehead against mine as we both struggle to breathe. He doesn’t say anything else as he pulls away from me and turns to leave. I watch him slip out the door, feeling alone all over again.
In less than one week, I'll meet and marry my future husband. And Frankie…he will stand by and watch it happen, because that's his job. Because that's what's expected of us both.
Keep me safe or keep me a prisoner. At this point, I'm no longer sure there's a difference.
Chapter Twenty
Liana
Pita's knocking awakens me, and I blink away the remnants of dreams filled with Frankie. My thighs clench together as pieces of our night in Prescott filter through, still invading my thoughts. The bright morning light streams across my face as I hear Pita’s voice.
"Mija, are you awake?" she calls through the door.
"Yes," I reply hoarsely. "Come in."
She enters with a tray of coffee and pastries, her eyes curious as she sets it down on my bedside table.
“You sleep like the dead.”
I laugh but only a small smile forms on her face.
