Page 33 of Falling for the Enemy

Bliss. This is what such an emotion feels like.

“I’ll be seeing you, Arianna.”

Unable to stop them, my eyes close.

It’s not until his warmth leaves me that they reopen, landing on his back as he walks away, leaving for what may be forever. Strong shoulders pulled back, he passes Nikolai before stopping just outside the door.

It’s there that he glances back at me.

One look and one beat of my heart.

That’s all it takes for my belly to twist.

After the demand I made for him to leave, this moment should be the last in which his cinnamon eyes ever lock with my blue ones.

Foolish or not, part of me hopes it isn’t

NINE

Alejandro

I have no business being in a place like this.

The truth is one I already know, but that becomes even more clear as I stand on the sidewalk in front of the two-story house Carmen now calls home, assessing the peaceful property. With its wraparound front porch, rose-filled flower beds, and white picket fence, Mamá would have thought of it as Heaven on earth.

Just as I know my sister does.

This is only the second time I’ve been here. The first was when I attended her wedding, surprising her with my unexpected attendance a handful of months after I found out she was still alive. Not dead like Melendez had led me to believe.

Thirteen years.

That day was the first time I’d seen her in thirteen years. But to my displeasure, I hadn’t been able to stay long. With cartel business to handle elsewhere, I left before the celebration was over. Back then, every second I spent in her presence had put her at risk.

Now that’s no longer the case.

With Stefano having learned the truth of her existence, the more I’m at her side, the safer she’ll be. If anyone tries to bring her harm when I’m close, they will die by gun or blade.

As expected.

Her safety is one of two reasons I’m here now, even though I have no business spending time in a place this beautiful, that with one slip-up, my sins could taint. Or worse, destroy. The second is because I need another reminder of all that’s at stake.

Maybe this time it’ll stick.

“Are you planning on going inside, Jefe?” Benito asks from where he leans against my SUV, interrupting my thoughts. With his arms crossed over his chest, and a permanent scowl plastered on his face, he’s the picture of annoyance. Not that I give a shit. “Or are you just going to stand out here, staring at the front door until we both melt from the heat?”

The glare I shoot him is scathing.

“I’m just saying.” He raises his hands in a placating gesture. “We’ve been standing out here like crazy fools for ten minutes. Maybe it’s time to knock on the door.”

Knowing he’s right, I nod to the Range Rover. “Vuelve al auto,” I say, telling him to get back in the still idling SUV. “Puedes mandar mensajes a tu mujer mientras esperas.”

Pressing the heel of his hand to his jaw, he cracks it. “Fuck that puta,” he says in reply to my suggestion that he text his woman while he waits out here, keeping watch. “I’m done with her.”

My brow bends. “Since when?”

“Since we left Medellín, leaving Rafe and Miguel to watch over shit until our return.” He pulls a stick of green, mint-flavored gum from the pocket of his slacks and pops it in his mouth. “She’s too spicy.” He shakes his head. “And probably already riding Miguel’s cock.”

I chuckle at his description of his ex’s attitude. Hot-tempered and mouthy, Marisol mixed with Benito like oil and water. I’m surprised they didn’t kill each other.

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