Page 32 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

Mamágifted him a huge smile before she went back to the stove and scooped up another heaping spoonful of the meat and sauce, then added it to Christophe’s plate. He nodded and hummed, much the way an eager puppy would. The man was shameless when it came to his food.

I waited to eat until both Diego andMamáwere seated, he at the head of the table, she to his right. Something I found rather odd. He had his mother here cooking for what I guessed were his family or soldiers, but no woman.

“And where is Mrs. Salazar?” I asked, gesturing around the table filled with men, us, andMamá.

Diego pointed at his mother and tipped his head in query.

“No, your wife. The mother of your children? Joel said you had a wife and children,oui?” I asked, while spearing a chunk of meat and putting it into my mouth.

The flavors were extraordinary, bursting across my tongue. Famished, I chewed and swallowed quickly in order to get another scrumptious bite. “Ouah!”Wow,I gasped in disbelief. The meat was savory and melted in one’s mouth like the finest filet mignon. It was smothered in the most delicious red sauceI’d ever experienced. I picked up my tortilla and slid it through the sauce, adding more of that incredible flavor to my second bite.

“My compliments to the chef.” I nodded atMamá,whose chest puffed with pride as she took in the eight of us at the table, hunkered down, focused solely on her impressive meal.

Diego grinned salaciously. “I have no wife, Madam. I had been in a relationship with a woman who blessed me with two princes and one princess.”

“And where is she now?” I continued to eat, staring him down. If we were going to pretend that my world hadn’t imploded, I was going to get as much information about the mysterious mafia boss as I could.

“Vaca inútil…”Useless cow,Mamáhissed under her breath. I didn’t fully speak Spanish, but the words were similar in French. Apparently, Diego’s mother wasn’t fond of the mother of his children.

Diego chuckled then wiped his mouth and sat back in his chair. “I do not bring my children on dangerous missions, Madam.”

I frowned. “And yet your mother is not exempt from this danger?”

He glanced at hisMamá. “No one tellsMamáwhat to do. She goes where she goes. Always her choice.”

“And if your enemies were to find her amongst your hideouts?”

His nostrils flared. “Mamáwas raised in the life. Her father led us, passed down from her grandfather, and his before that. I am her oldest son and took over the business when my father passed.”

“I see. The family business.”

His head dipped, and he smirked. “Sí, la familia lo es todo. Family is everything.” He translated into English. “These”—hegestured around the table—“are my brothers. Some by name, all byblood.”

Based on that statement, I wasn’t sure who was his actual biologic relation, and who fought and killed with him to earn the status ofbrother. Coming from a man like Diego Salazar, I didn’t think the difference mattered.

The point wasthey were family.

Diego picked his silverware up once more and continued eating. Discussion over. I followed his lead, stuffing myself full of one of the best homemade meals of my life.

* * * *

When dinner was done, the four brothers picked up the plates and proceeded to clean the kitchen whileMamácalled out orders in Spanish. They worked together like a well-oiled machine, each having their primary task and completing it efficiently.

“Come to my study,” Diego instructed.

“Gracias,Mamá,” I dipped my head to the older woman as I passed.

I started to follow Diego and noticed Christophe stopped in front ofMamá. He reached for her hands and took them both within his own before he bowed. “Gracias. Dinner was exceptional.”

Mamápreened under his praise before turning her head to the side and pointing at her cheek.

Christophe chuckled before he bent in half and dutifully kissed her cheek like the brothers had when they’d arrived.

“No te preocupes, te engordaré,” she said as she lightly smacked his cheek a couple times, then pointed at me.“¡Demasiada flaca!”she tsked and shook her head.

“What did she say?” I asked as Christophe joined us.

Diego grinned. “She said she was going to fatten Christophe up and that you were too skinny.”

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