neither of us expected. “Goodnight, Mr. Lucas.”
“Noches, Preciosa.”
And then she’s gone. Out of the room and following my directions.
I follow a minute later.
Close enough to see the sensual sway of her hips and the way every head in the room turns in her direction. Some with envy. Some with lust. Both sets quickly look away once they catch sight of me.
“Did you find what went missing?” Daniel asks when I retake my seat, his speech slightly slurred. He pours us each a drink, spilling a bit on the table and foregoing Geronimo who’s watching the room closely. The man is quick to handle unwanted visitors with a single shake of his head—make the group of women trying to dance a few feet away back up. “Did she recognize you?”
“How did you know she’d be here?”
“Signio likes to talk.” He passes me a drink before throwing his back. “Was all but shouting it to everyone before you arrived…he’s a low-plumage peacock trying to puff out his chest to anyone that would listen. He’s marrying the president’s daughter, fucking the cousin, and everyone knows this.”
“Her father is aware?” Daniel nods at my question and I close my eyes for a second, breathing in deeply to get a hold of the sudden urges dominating my senses. Ire burns me. Disgust churns in my gut. But more importantly, I have this insatiable need to protect her. “That sick fuck.”
“Quintero doesn’t care about her or the kind of man Signio is. He’s more preoccupied with passing the legislation that lets him run for another term after the previous president abolished it.”
“I heard.” Scrubbing my jaw, I flick my eyes toward the precious flower and find her forcing a smile. Ever dutiful, Solimar’s pretending to fit in with those around her but sticks out like the diamond she is. No one sees her discomfort. The need to flee in those expressive eyes while her cousin continues to pull attention her way, relishing in the way the others surround her. I see you, beautiful. As if she heard my thought, her head turns my way and our stares lock.
Genuine innocence.
Alluring grace.
Slowly, her lips curl up and it’s a complete contrast to the previous smile. This one is soft. Sweet. It’s pulling the tail of this predator who’s seconds away from doing something he shouldn’t…yet.
Hi, she mouths and rolls her eyes toward the group. There’s also a small yawn that escapes.
Go home, beautiful, I mouth back, and she nods, more than happy to oblige me in this, and I make sure no one stops her. I stand, and this time signal my men to turn with their back to the outside. People look our way, trying to figure out why they’re being blocked, and Solimar takes the opportunity to leave without saying goodbye to anyone in her group.
I’m sure she’ll send them a text.
“Geronimo?”
“Yes, Patron?”
“Make sure she’s not followed and gets home without incident.”
“Do I contact—”
“Yes. She’s to be met at the curb and her night out covered.”
“As you wish.”
Goodbye for now, Miss Quintero.
6
THIS IS BAD. Really bad.
So bad, that I don’t know how to react or decipher our stolen moment now that I’m back inside my cousin’s apartment. Now that there’s no haze of attraction clouding my mind. No crazy need dominating my actions.
And yet, I can’t find it in me to be upset.
Worried? Yes.
Scared? A little.
Sorry that I skipped out on Laura and sent her a text once I was away from Codicia? Not in the least.
“This can’t happen. I can’t see him again,” I whisper low, dropping my keys in a bowl near the entryway before toeing off my heels. It feels good to be barefoot, and the plush carpet beneath my feet is like heaven after running away from the very man I’ve crushed on since my adolescence.
Christ, having him so close was both heaven and hell—a dream and reminder of what I can never have because of who my family is. Because of a war that I’ve never been a part of.
My life’s path has been chosen for me. Love isn’t in the cards.
Taking a couple of steps toward the kitchen, my knees wobble and I fall back, placing both hands flat against the wall behind me for support. I’ve been a shaky mess since walking out with Alejandro’s permission, luckily with no one following, and getting into an already waiting car.
I didn’t question why the all-black SUV was waiting.
I didn’t question why they didn’t accept my payment.
I didn’t question why my security