Page 60 of Falling for the Enemy

And that she’s under her protection.

For both our sakes, I hope she spoke the truth regarding their connection. If she didn’t, I’ll have no choice but to handle the situation, eliminating the threat she poses to Carmen once and for all.

Even if it’ll kill me to do so.

“What exactly do you want to know?”

Anxiety taking hold of her, she shifts her weight between her feet. I grow uneasy. The worry that I may have been wrong about the only woman to ever twist me in knots multiplies with each second that ticks by.

“You’re not planning to hurt her, are you?” A wave of crimson climbs my sister’s neck, reaching her cheeks. “Because if so, I won’t help you. In fact, you better explain yourself quickly, because I swear to Cristo if that’s your plan, Alejandro, I will take off my sandal right here and beat—”

“Hurting her is the last thing I plan to do.” Her eyes flare at my sharp, unexpected tone. “I’m trying to protect her. But to do that, I need to confirm her connection to you.”

“Protect her?”

I nod. “Si.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s mine.”

My sister’s mouth falls open, revealing her bottom row of teeth as a familiar sedan parks next to the curb, its front bumper now fixed, and my niece climbs out, her red hair glinting in the sunlight.

“Ari is…” Carmen waves her hand in the air in what I assume is an attempt to conjure the words she seems to have lost. “She’s yours?”

Again, I nod. “Only mine.”

She shakes her head, disbelief flashing in her eyes. “Dios mío.” Hand clutching the base of her throat, she laughs, the sound one of shock rather than humor. “When you said you had business in North Charleston, I suspected it would involve her and the Kings somehow. But this…” She blinks, her lips pressing together. “I did not expect this.”

That makes two of us.

“Neither did I.” Slipping a finger beneath her chin, I lift her face. “Which is the primary reason I’m here.” I pause, the anger that ignites within me, the words I’m about to speak burning my throat. “I know she’s responsible for ending him.”

No further explanation is needed.

Carmen knows the pendejo I speak of.

Face paling, she turns her head, breaking our connection as the demons of her past attempt to rise, their black-tipped talons threatening to sink into the happiness she’s found.

“She did end him,” she says, confirming everything I needed to know. “She owed me a favor after I helped someone in her family and—”

“Anna?”

She swallows and nods, her tawny ponytail bouncing with each dip of her chin. “Si. But don’t ask me what I did for her. Anna’s story isn’t mine to tell.” Her gaze snaps back to meet mine. “Just know I’d do it all over again if given the chance. No matter the risks involved.”

My eyes narrow.

“I won’t ask. Not when I know you’re as stubborn as Mamá used to be and won’t confess a single truth you don’t feel the need to.” She smirks. “But never do something that puts you at risk again. Regardless of the situation, you call me first, and I’ll handle whatever trouble needs attention.”

That earns me an eye roll.

Followed by a dismissive wave.

“Between you and James, it’s a miracle I’m allowed to breathe without help.” She takes a sip of her lemonade, her free hand going to her hip. “Which, speaking of, you need to come for dinner soon.” Chewing her bottom lip, she exhales. “And when you do, bring Ari and Anna with you. I haven’t seen either in months—”

“Jefe!”

To my ire, Christian’s raised voice grabs my attention, drowning out the latter half of Carmen’s bomb-like request.

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