I feel the heat rush through my cheeks. I don’t shift my gaze from him, but I hate his cousins heard him issue that threat. The door opens behind us, and the men file out. Someone closes it with barely a click.
“I can’t believe you just said that in front of all of them.”
“They’re giving us privacy as a couple to talk, but they didn’t leave out of shock. We’re no different from the other couples in my family. I’m certain of it. We may not discuss what happens behind closed doors between man and wife. But it wouldn’t shock me in the least to know my cousins have the same dynamics with their wives as you and I have. They aren’t out there clutching their pearls.”
“I don’t care. That was supposed to be private between us.”
“All bets are off when it’s about your safety, Vita. I’ve never wavered on that.”
“In the grand scheme of things, a mere scratch seems completely unimportant compared to your injuries, a shootout, or the men lost to an ambush.”
He grips my chin, tilting my head back farther, then holding it in place.
“Nothing—not a damn thing in this world—will ever be more important than your safety. You understand me,chiquita? Nothing.”
I swallow before I try to nod. He won’t relax his grip enough for my head to move.
He wants my answer spoken.
“I understand, Daddy. I’m sorry I worried you, but will you please sit down before you pass out?”
He wavers a little on his feet before lowering himself to the bench.
“There’s a first aid kit in the bottom left drawer of the desk.”
I fetch it and rummage through it. I find what I need and lay the supplies out on my lap. When Alejandro reaches out to help me, I gently brush his hand away. His fingers wrap around mine, and I know it’s futile to fight him when he pushes my hand down to the sofa.
He tears open the antiseptic wipes and holds up my shirt. Air whistles through my teeth as I inhale, the sting makingme wince. In front of anyone else, I’d hide the pain. I’m not compelled to do that in front of Alejandro. It doesn’t feel like a weakness to admit the graze hurts.
“Sit still, little one. I don’t want to hurt you more.”
“I know, Daddy. Thank you.”
He’s efficient as he cleans the graze and the surrounding area. He applies a bandage that covers the entire wound. His gaze lingers before he looks up at me.
“I’m doing a shit job protecting you,chiquita.”
“What? No. You’re far more injured than me, and it happened because you put yourself in danger for me.”
We come together in a languid kiss that restores my strength to face the world. I’m whole again as I inhale Alejandro’s breath. It’s life sustaining. He lifts me onto his lap despite my momentary objection. The man isn’t superhuman no matter what he thinks. I still fear how all of this will catch up to him. He wraps his arms around me, and I lean against him. We hold each other, both relieved we’re safe. Neither of us rushes to end the moment, but duty calls.
“Thank you for letting me take care of you,chiquita. I need to speak to Joaquin and see if he’s learned anything.”
“I’ll get them to come back in.”
“No, it’s safer if no one sees you’re here. We got you into the garage, an elevator, and this office without running into any of our men. That was a blessing in disguise. I’ll text them.”
He walks around the desk and pulls out what appears to be a burner. His fingers rapidly tap the screen. Then I hear the whoosh of the message sending. It’s only two minutes later that the men file back into the office.
“A little, not nearly as much as I’d like. With more time, I’m certain I’ll find more.”
“What do you have so far?”
I snap my mouth shut, recalling in a meeting like this, normally no women would be present. Alejandro slides his hand into mine as he returns to sit beside me on the sofa. The other men stand around the office while Joaquin sits at the desk with his laptop open.
“I looked into the Galicians immediately. There’s no unusual money exchanging hands with them. The emails I hacked mention you. Don’t get me wrong, they’re pretty fucking pissed, but nothing shows their involvement. It’s not necessarily a dead end, but there’s no clear connection. Right now, if I had to put money on it, they’re not involved.”
Disappointment fills me since we’re no closer to understanding why any of this is happening. Even if we can’t figure out why, I’d at least like to know who. It’s frustrating as fuck.
