Page 63 of Heart of a Villain

Occasionally, he stopped and bent to check the grass and the soil. When he found soft, loose dirt, he groaned in contentment, which brought to mind a question she hadn’t anticipated asking.

“I know it might seem odd that I’m asking about him,” she prefaced, “but what did you guys do with Rafael?”

He shrugged. “He’s alive. He’s on standby.”

“For?”

He pointed across the way. “Take a look over there. That spot? You can tell it’s popular for animal activity.”

“Why is that important?”

“For if you have to bury something. You don’t want a location that’s constantly being disturbed.”

“But this is private property.”

“Still, it’s a bad omen. Kill at night, if you can, but always bury or burn at night. That way, body and soul are unable to find the light that might lead them to heaven.”

She eyed him.

“What? You know I think like this.”

“Oh, I know. I remember Papa Figo. I’m looking at you because you ignored my question.”

He nodded. “I’m aware.”

“And?”

“You’ll forgive me.”

She thought about reaching for his hand. Instead, she warmed her arms and shivered despite it being an almost perfect day outside.

“You’re cold?” he asked. “Do you want my shirt?”

“What are you wearing underneath?”

“Only my sexiness.”

“No, I’m not cold. It’s a habit. It’s…anxiety.”

“I have a remedy for that.”

“Keep it in your pants, Delgano.”

“Hot…chocolate,” he said, blinking, his handsome face the picture of pure innocence. “Maybe I should have avoided mentioning my sexiness. All roads don’t lead back to me making love to you, querida.”

The last time, it was a spark.

This time, it was a tiny stick of dynamite.

“One of them does lead to hot chocolate,” he added.

Laughing, she continued to rub her arms. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his shorts.

It was late enough for the moon to be visible as a faded orb in the sky, competing for attention with the setting sun at their backs. The fact that she was no longer in Brazil and walking next to Adrían made her discreetly pinch herself. Too often, she’d had dreams just like this one, and she’d once believed that seeing Adrían was an even more far-fetched fantasy than getting away from Lorenzo.

“So, what’s life been like since Morocco?” she asked. “Tell me everything.”

He dragged in a breath and released it in one loud huff. “Well, there’s much to tell, but it feels like it’s mostly all the same information. I remained with Omega, mostly because I didn’t want to get too far from Central. As long as I was in Omega, I could get to your mother. I’m going to kill her, just so you’re aware.”

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