Page 47 of To Have and To Hold

She was so fucking close that I could smell her sweet scent. I stood straight and squared my shoulders. “I learned my lesson. We won’t sneak. I’ll get Jano’s approval.”

“El Patr?n?But I’m not cartel.”

“You’re under our protection. That makes you cartel.”

The way she nibbled on her lower lip when she was unsure was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen. My circulation warmed as I imagined leaning down and kissing her. Every fiber in my body wanted me to take one step closer, wrap my arm around her slender waist, and pull her softness toward my hardening body.

My curiosity of Isabella took root back at Cat’s house. Those feelings had changed drastically over the last couple of weeks. Since her first day here, Isabella has been a bright fucking beacon, singing a siren’s song that I heard even in my slumber. It was as I’d said: she’d blossomed outside of the suffocating watch of her father, a flower finally allowed sunshine.

When she looked up, her milk-chocolate stare met mine. “I’d like that.”

Fuck.

The longer it took her to answer, the more afraid I was that I’d blown the connection we’d been developing throughout the past weeks.

My smile grew. “I’ll pick you up here.”

Isabella looked down at her clothes. “I should go to Mia’s and change.”

“Not a date, remember. You’re perfect for your first tour.”

Her smile grew. “Where are we going?”

“That’s my surprise.” Slowly, I backed away, possibilities running through my thoughts. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Isabella nodded. “Tonight.”

On my way out, I started to tell Horace I’d take care of Isabella after she was done with work, but I stopped, telling myself I should ask Jano first. Speak of the devil, my phone buzzed with a text message.

It seemed that going home, showering, and getting some shut-eye was going to have to wait. Jano’s orders had me driving from the Marina neighborhood to Del Mar Heights. It wasn’t good enough to have emailed reports from our chiefs on the streets. Jano wanted each army chief to be questioned in person by a lieutenant. The personal touch was to let them know we were watching and monitoring their businesses as well as our stakes in those businesses. It was fucking tedious, but I had to admit, it was getting the attention of the street soldiers.

The newel Patr?nwasn’t going to put up with shit. Do your job and do it right. Roríguez will reward you. Don’t do your job or do it poorly, and you’re fired. In the cartel,firedwas meant literally not figuratively—a bulletfiredinto the back of your head.

It was nearly four in the afternoon before I made it back to Jano’s office.

He looked up from his desk as I entered, looking even more tired than I felt. “Qué pasa?” He motioned toward the chairs across his desk from him.

I took a seat. “No problems from the chiefs I met with today. Business is hot, and there haven’t been any sightings of Herrera’s soldiers.”

“Did every chief show?”

“They did.”

Jano pushed back against his chair, stretching his neck. “Kozlov’s men, the ones from the club, they’ve opened up a whole new world of intel for us.” He nodded. “So far, their information has checked out. The charred bodies were identified as Kozlov’s soldiers. We’ve gotten Volkov’s attention.”

“Isabella asked when the lockdown would end.”

Jano slapped the top of his desk and deepened his tone. “When I have Herrera’s and Volkov’s heads right here, fucking soaking this desk in their blood.”

I leaned forward. I’d given this some thought throughout the day. I could ask to take Isabella out for a tour or a date, or I could go big and ask for her hand. She’d only been out west for two weeks, and she was thriving. This was where she was meant to be. “Have you talked to the capo lately?”

Jano narrowed his gaze. “Have you heard something?”

“No. I was wondering about Isabella.”

Jano stood, sending his chair rolling backwards. “Fuck.Hay algún problema? I thought Mia said things were?—”

I stood and lifted my hand. “No problem. I want to know if the capo will allow me to marry her. If you will.”

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