Page 20 of To Have and To Hold

The music in Jorge’s jumper was still playing, but the bouncing had stopped, and his little head lopped backward before it fell forward on the padded seat. Mia smiled. “Enjoy some sun. I need to put him down for his afternoon nap, and then we can talk.”

The baby barely stirred as she picked him up and laid him on her shoulder.

I was about to go out to the pool whenel Patr?ncame down the stairs. I watched in stunned silence as the scary persona I’d encountered on the steps disappeared. His cheeks rose and his lips curled as he cradled Jorge’s head. Running his palm over the soft hair, he whispered something I couldn’t hear, and then kissed Jorge’s head and Mia’s lips.

He didn’t turn my way or acknowledge my presence. I sat speechless as his boots echoed on the tile, his long legs leading him toward his office.

How could that be the same man as the one who frightened me?

Chapter

Nine

Isabella

It wasn’t until I was out on the patio in the sunshine that the time difference between San Diego and Kansas City hit me. I’d left early this morning from Missouri, and while it was now late afternoon here, if I was to make it past dinner without falling asleep, I decided I needed rest.

I met Mia at the top of the staircase. “Did you want to discuss more about the apartments?”

“It can wait for Liliana. I wanted to be sure you understood the rules around here.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ve lived my entire life with rules.”

“These aren’t so strict. If you want to leave the house for things other than work—well for work too—it’s not a problem. You just need to tell Horace, and he can drive you. Do you have his phone number?”

“Yes, we exchanged numbers. Right now, I think I want to lie down. Being out in the sun made me tired.”

Mia smiled and tilted her head. “Isabella, I want you to know how much I appreciate you coming out here to help. I think when you meet Liliana, you’ll understand why she’s having difficulty. Unfortunately, she has gone through a lot for someone so young.”

“She’s a widow.”

Mia nodded. “Sadly, that’s not the worst of it. I want her to be happy and find purpose. If working at the apartments isn’t what she wants to do, that’s okay too. I’ve been trying to boost her self-esteem.” She tilted her head. “While I’m asking you to take the lead and help her, to her, I’ll ask the same. Please don’t take offense. If I’d known Uncle Carmine would let you come out here, I would have had you out here a lot sooner.”

“No offense will be taken. I’ll do my best to not overstep.”

“Oh, there’s no overstepping. All you can do will be appreciated. Don’t hold back. But if in the process, you can make her feel more confident, it would be nice.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Go ahead and rest. Liliana will be here about six and dinner will be at seven.”

I nodded.

As I started to walk away, Mia turned back my direction. “I left a cover-up for you on your bed.”

“Thank you.”

The long white lacy cover-up would reach all the way to the floor and had flowing sleeves to shield me from the sun if I wanted. It was perfect. At the same time, looking at it reminded me of my encounter withel Patr?n, sending shivers and goose bumps over my skin.

For some reason my thoughts went fromel Patr?nto the guards I’d recently met, Silas and Horace, to Silas’s wife, Viviana. With the exception of Mia’s husband, all the cartel members were surprisingly pleasant. My lips curled as I recalled Em coming out on the sun deck and teasing me about the punch. If I were to have the same thoughts about members of the famiglia, I could pinpoint those who are friendly and helpful and others that could be considered scary.

Before resting, I chose to take a shower and wash away the travel and sunscreen.

What was it like for Mia to marry into the cartel?

As I added conditioner to my hair, I thought about Jasmine.

How could they stand the dangerous life and dangerous men?

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