Page 82 of Secrets of the Six

With a boyish grin, he claims the bench across from me. We ride in silence once the carriage jerks away from the house. It's hard to miss Rogelio fiddling with his hands. He's nervous. Why?

"Does something trouble you, Rogelio?" I ask, drawing his far-off stare.

"I, uh." He tugs his fingers through his hair. "Actually, Elena, there was something I was wanting to ask you."

"You can ask me anything." I smile, hoping to ease his clearly frayed nerves.

He groans. "Please forgive me for my forwardness, but there's something I've been wanting to ask you since we first met, and I haven't had the courage to do so, fearing your answer."

My heart thunders inside my chest. This is it. This is the proposal I've been tasked to win. I cannot wait to tell Otero I've done my job and secured –

"What is Don Rafael to you?"

The hope stirring within me is crushed and I feel like I'm free falling to my death. "What?" I croak, my voice suddenly hoarse.

He grimaces and rubs his hand across his face. "I'm so sorry for asking, Elena, but I can't get the image of you dancing with him the night we met out of my head. The way you two moved together, as if you were familiar with one another. Forgive me. Saints, I never should have asked. I care for you so much and can picture a future with you, but I don't pick up on social cues the way others might and if you aren't actually interested in me – "

"Rogelio," I slam my hand on his knee and every word lodges in his throat. "Don Rafael is a friend of my parents. They do business together. Lozano olives and olive oil are in high demand in the Night District. When I first arrived in Orlencia seeking a husband, he promised to introduce me to eligible men of good familial stock. He's like a brother to me, nothing more."

The lies slip from my mouth easily enough, but I despise myself for picturing Remus' naked form on top of me, his wings splayed in majestic splendor shielding me like a blanket. I can feel him thrusting inside me, hear his soft moans in my ear, sense his lips and hands grazing and nipping at the most sensitive parts of me. I'm a wretched woman for deceiving Rogelio, but I have a job to do. At the end of the day, I'll fulfill my end of the bargain.

"Like a brother?" He mulls over my words, and it makes my stomach churn.

I nod and slide my hand in his, squeezing reassuringly. "You have nothing to fear, mi amor. My sights are only set on you."

As the carriage enters Otero grounds, he seems to sober from his stupor and straightens in his seat. The silence stretches far too long for my liking and I'm wondering if I said something to turn him off. When the buggy comes to a stop and the driver opens the door, Rogelio finally chimes in, "A moment, please," before he seals us inside.

"Are you alright?" I ask, suddenly fearful of being trapped in here alone with him. If he attacks me, I can easily defend myself. But without my weapons, it would be a gruesome and painful death for him.

Suddenly, he slides down on one knee in front of me and peers up into my face. "Elena Lozano, it would be the honor of my life to walk alongside you as your husband. Will you marry me?" He pulls a tiny velvet box out of his pant pocket and opens it to reveal the most exquisite ruby engagement ring. "I thought red suited you, but if you prefer something else -"

I press my hands on either side of his face and whisper, "It's perfect."

He returns my smile with one of his own. "You still haven't said yes."

"Oh!" I laugh. "Of course I will marry you." He slips the engagement ring on my finger and kisses me.

His hands graze my neck as he claims the spot beside me, deepening our passionate kiss. His tongue sweeps inside my mouth, and I force myself not to recoil. Instead, I picture Remus and kiss him with a fiery fervor. I run my fingers through his hair and when he moans against my lips, I sweep my leg over his thighs and sit in his lap. He palms my ass and runs his hands up the back of my dress and I want so desperately for him to unbutton me and claim me in the carriage. I reach for his ascot and begin to peel it from his neck when suddenly his voice jars me.

"Elena," he whispers in my ear, and it snaps me back to reality. I'm not kissing Remus. I'm kissing Rogelio and I'm going entirely too far.

I push off him and find purchase on the opposite side of the carriage. My chest rises and falls rapidly as I touch my swollen lips. He stares at me in wonder but a hunger flashes in his eyes that has me slicing my hand into the air to put an end to our unexpected encounter.

"Forgive me, mi amor," I pant, collecting myself. "I don't know what came over me."

As if he too is now returning to himself, he smooths his hair back into place and reties his ascot. "It is entirely my fault. If I might speak plainly, Elena, I find you the object of all my thoughts." He smiles, a sweetness in his voice. "Soon I will be able to call you mine." He grabs my hand and together we admire the ring glittering on my finger.

"Soon," I agree, staying rooted in place, even though I feel like making a break for it.

He opens the carriage door and escorts me to the front door before planting one last kiss on my cheek. "I will call on you tomorrow."

I nod and flash him one last smile before he turns on his heel and has Otero's carriage drive him back to the party. Once he's out of view, I turn and run inside the house, up the stairs, and into my room to grab my black leathers from my closet. Tomorrow, we celebrate. Tonight, I hunt.

Chapter 28

Ines

Perched like a gargoyle atop a building in the Night District, I retie my mask as I wait for my prey to come out of the bar I followed him to. When Montenegro slipped into his carriage outside Don Alejandro's house, he seemed agitated. I would expect nothing less after the tongue lashing he received, but instead of going home as I assumed he would, he dropped his wife off in the Golden District and made his way to drink himself into a stupor. Maybe in search of finding a working girl to plow.