Leti straightens, smoothing her dress back over her thighs. Neither of us speaks, and she makes a point of not looking at me.
A hollow ache forms in my chest.
“Leti—“ She turns, and there is a haunted look in her eyes.
“Are you ready to go home?” I ask.
Still refusing to look at me, she nods.
“No matter the cost,” I remind her.
Mouth twisting into a grimace, she sneers. “Why am I the only one who pays it?”
Not waiting for an answer, she strides out of the room.
“Leticia—“
She doesn’t bother to slow her steps. With a sigh, I follow behind her, quickly catching up to her shorter stride. Adrián and Rio close in behind us but maintain a comfortable distance as I reach for her arm and draw her into an embrace.
“Talk to me.”
She twists within my hold, tiny hands shoving against my chest.
Holding her against me, I tuck her head beneath my chin.
“Let go of me,” she demands, but there is a tremor in her voice.
“He has no reason to come after you now.”
“I don’t care. You…” she sniffs and tries again to push me away.
“It’s done,” I tell her. “We’re free to move forward, baby. We—“
“There is nowe,” she bites out, sending ice into my veins.
Pulling back, I look down at her before grasping her chin and forcing her to meet my gaze. “We talked about this. We agreed—“
“Not to that,” she snaps, tears tracking down her cheeks.
My heart seizes in my chest. She’s crying. Leticia doesn’t break down like this.
“Leti—“
“Please,” she begs. “Let me go.”
Unable to deny her, I release my hold on her and step back. With a defeated look on my face, I signal Adrián forward, a silent request to lead her away.
He maneuvers her through the club while Rio and I follow at a much more sedate pace. I knew she’d be upset, but I didn’t expect a rejection like this.
“She’ll come around,” Rio mutters.
I glance at his expression and see the lie in his eyes. “No, she won’t,” I tell him.
His words are meant to offer comfort, but I don’t deserve any peace when Leti’s heart remains on the ground.
Shaking his head, he grunts. “No. I suppose she won’t.”
My face slackens, and my heart drops. I have her. Both her and her father’s names are signed on the dotted line. But I feel her slipping away from me. She’s fortifying her walls and will do everything in her power to keep me out.
