Page 14 of Cutting Ties
Pulling out my chair for me, Anthony waited for me to be seated before sitting across from me. Once the wine was served and our order was placed, Anthony clasped his hands in front of him and leaned forward, his elbows on the table as he looked directly into my eyes. “I have to ask you a few questions that have been swimming around in my head since I’ve arrived.”
My heart skipped a beat. I hoped that he was going to ask how I’d feel about moving in with him and continue on with the conversation we’d begun at the mud bath. But I suspected his questions had more to do with my family. “Of course.”
“I need to be clear on your family.”
“Oh…” Looking down at the intricate lace tablecloth, I wasn’t sure where to start. “What do you need to know?”
“Why is your brother on Helka Island?”
I sighed. That was an easy one. “He’s there with business associates. Five years ago, our family and several other families bought the island and developed it. It’s meant to be like an old-school Las Vegas. It’s quite nice there and very safe.” She jerked her thumb to one of the guards. “I don’t need them with me there. So I go from time to time to take a breather.”
“Is Asher here much?”
“No.” I shook my head. “There’s been issues here lately and so he’s been coming more frequently. We need to win the war to bring peace, but it’s not an easy win this time. Santiago’s cartel is like cockroaches. Just when we think we’ve won, they come back harder than ever. But we will win – eventually.”
“Okay.” Reaching across the table he took my hand in his. “Please look at me.”
I did as told, and was relieved to see there was no judgment in his gaze. “What?”
“Will they come after you if you leave here? Will you be safe?”
I considered the question. “I’d be safer with you than I am here. I’m not an integral part of my father’s business. I don’t believe they would bother with me, even if they realized I’d left the country. There’s not much gain in it for them.”
He gave my hand a squeeze. “Your safety is the most important thing to me. It would kill me to lose you or to think that my selfishness cost you your life.”
“Nothing that could happen to me would ever be on you.”
“Good.” He shifted in his seat, clearly nervous to ask the next question, which in turn put me on edge.
I was tempted to change the topic. Sensing his unrest, I imagined it would be easy enough, but it was better to get whatever his concerns were dealt with so we could move on. “Come. Tell me. What’s on your mind?
“Why do you hate your brother?”
Thankfully the waiter interrupted my chance to respond by arriving with our food. Thank fucking God. I needed to a few minutes to figure how to answer that one.
“Goodnight.” I smiled at the guards posted at the door of our room before closing it. I’d gotten away with not answering the question about my brother for the remainder of the meal, but now it was time to come clean. Anthony deserved as much.
Turning from the door, I made my way back into the room to find Anthony sprawled on the bed waiting for me. My eyes swept the length of him in a pair of dark denim jeans and a blue t-shirt that matched his eyes and hugged his frame perfectly. He’d already removed his black button-down shirt and had it draped over the back of the desk chair.
Smiling up at me, he patted the side of the bed next to him. “Come lay down with me.”
Kicking off my heels, I crossed the room and lay on my side facing him. “It was a good day?”
“It was.” Running a hand through his hair, he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I was so intrusive with you earlier. I’ve been getting a feeling that you’ve been keeping something from me, and I realized that I may just be suspicious for nothing. You can’t be held responsible for what your family has done or is doing.”
I trailed my index finger along his arm, the muscle flexing under my touch. I wanted to spend the night with us exploring each other’s bodies, but I knew I had to tell him the truth. He deserved to know about my past and the darkness that flowed through my family’s veins.
“You were right to feel that way. I have been keeping something from you.”
A frown creased his brow. “Oh… Okay, you can tell me anything. I hope you know that. We’ve talked and shared a lot over the last six months. Nothing you’ve told me has had me turn from you so far.”
“I know. There is a reason why I hate Asher.” Before he could cut me off and I lost my courage to tell the story, I proceeded. “I was in love once before. It was with a man named Alejandro Perez.” Just thinking of him brought bittersweet tears to my eyes.
“Hey.” Concerned filled his eyes and he drew me closer to him.
I gave in a little, but if I surrendered to the comfort of his arms right now, then I wouldn’t say what needed to be said. “It’s important that I tell you this.” I sniffed, forcing myself to remain strong. “He was a good man, nothing like my brother or father. He treated me well and I fell for him hard. I’d never experienced love before and it hit me like a ton of bricks.”
“So why aren’t you with him now?”
“He’s dead,” I blurted it before I lost the nerve. “My brother murdered him.”
