“Drina and Sera are in the living room, Lourdes,” Rubén continued, gentler now.“I’m sure you saw them when you arrived.Go visit and relax.”
“I—um—I would rather...”she trailed off.As much as she wanted to confide in Drina about her troubles, she needed to stay put.“I’m done living on the sidelines and watching other people make my decisions for me.I’m staying here.”
Rubén crossed his arms over his barrelled chest.“It’s not a request.Trust me, Lourdes.I only want the best for you.”
The best?Like she hadn’t heard that before.The bitter testosterone thickening the air could cut through stone.If she argued or stood her ground, she would prove herself the brat her father called her.How she despised them, every man in the room.Even Enrique to a degree.The games of power and madness they played, the alliances they made and broke, the taking and giving of lives, of ruining futures and stealing hope—everything happened inside dark, smoky dens like this.The saints only knew what these hardheaded men would choose for her.
Story of her life.Why had she expected anything different?
Enrique brushed his lips across her cheek in a kiss.“I’ll take care of this.”
Head high, she walked out on weak legs.This wasn’t over, no matter the decision made.She would escape her father’s tyranny one way or another.
Chapter Eleven
Enrique bit the insideof his cheek to maintain a semblance of civility as his brave woman left.Barely contained violence simmered in his veins.
After closing up, Rubén settled in the chair behind his massive mahogany desk and laced his fingers across his flat stomach in a pose of tranquility and control.“Let’s discuss this rationally.No insults.No yelling.”
“There is nothing to discuss.”Villegas plopped down into one of the twin black leather chairs in front of the desk.“My daughter disgraced herself.Spat on a union I negotiated.And him”—he waved his hand at Enrique like he was swatting away vermin—“he kidnapped her.”
Enrique narrowed his eyes.“And I would do it again.”
“You goddamned son of a—”
“Enough,” Rubén barked.“With all due respect, Gerardo, this is my home.You will follow the rules under my roof.”Once the man begrudgingly nodded, Rubén scowled at Enrique.“Must I tie you to the chair?Sit down.”
Shaking his head, Enrique stomped over and sat.His nerves itched from his toes up.What he wouldn’t do to tackle Villegas to the floor and bloody his damn nose?After all the hell and heartache he’d put Lourdes through, the poor excuse of a father needed a lesson in fatherly love.In plain old compassion.
The Lozano jefe licked his lips.“Gerardo, Enrique sinned against you by stealing Lourdes away.He will face punishment for his actions.”
Enrique opened his mouth, then snapped it shut as his friend glared at him.Rubén was nothing if not a fair negotiator, but the saints had better act fast if the jefe deemed Enrique’s crime of passion as unforgivable.He could lose his friend, his home, his reputation, and worst of all—Lourdes—in the fallout.
Rubén continued, “When it comes to opposing ideals, I find it best to state each side of the argument, so there will be no confusion on anyone’s part.Gerardo, you want a strong alliance between our families.Jacobo and Lourdes were that alliance.Then my brother died without an heir, thwarting your plans.Two heirs.Two sons.One to rule the Lozano Cartel; the other, the Villegases.Your blood on two thrones.It was an ingenious play,” he admitted as the man huffed and slouched in the chair, “but it never came to pass.The best you can hope for now is to wed Lourdes to someone in my organization.If they have children, her eldest boy will be your heir.”
He turned to Enrique.“In all the years I’ve known you, Ricky, never once have you lost your damn mind over a woman.No matter how special Lourdes is to you, sneaking around on our ally’s turf with the sole intention of stealing the Villegas princess is beyond stupid and disrespectful.You are my second-in-command.You are above this petty, immature bullshit.”
