Page 46 of Sin and Seduction

“And what about me? Your baby doesn’t deserve to see its own grandmother?” Camila snaps.

“You’re the one who’s making that choice, Mother. You’re the one who always wants to stay here in this empty fucking house!” Gabriela says, her voice rising.

“Mama stays here because it’s safer here for her. Paolo is also here,” Oscar says from the table.

“You are not going with us to California. You will raise the child here. End of discussion,” Dante says in a harsh tone, and Gabriela explodes.

“My child deserves to know its father! If you think for one more second that you can dictate what I do or how I raise my baby, then I will never allow you to see him!.” she shouts, and everyone falls silent.

All I hear is Camila’s gasp of shock and pain, her expression wounded. Dante narrows his eyes and steps forward.

“Yeah? And how will you raise it then? Without your family's money that has paid for the luxurious air that you have the privilege to fucking breathe?” he hisses, but she doesn’t flinch.

“That was low, Dante,” I whisper, but he doesn’t look at me.

“I’ll struggle and wait tables if I have to. I don’t care about the money; I never have. I’ve only taken advantage of it because otherwise, I would be alone while all of you take care of this business. All I care about is this now. It’s the only thing I will ever care about. Make no mistake, dear brother,” she says in a low voice, staring him down.

Everyone stays silent, unsure of what to do next. Dante swallows and keeps his eyes narrowed on Gabriela as Camila stares down at the table. Oscar sighs and leans back in his chair. I’m afraid to even move.

“I’ll go with or without you. I don’t need anyone—”

“You won’t go to California, Gabriela—” Camila starts, but Gabriela snaps to her.

“Enough! I said that—”

“You won’t be going to California withoutme,” Camila explains, and Gabriela freezes as both Dante and Oscar curse.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me right now,” Oscar says.

“Over my dead body,” Dante says.

“Enough! Everyone, please. I can’t take the fighting anymore,” Camila says, rubbing her head in circles.

“It’s dangerous both here and there. It’s more dangerous there, but we have extra men for security. I can tell Paolo, and he will listen to me on this. I won’t be moving right away. Your sister will stay with you while I look for a house out there. Once I have one and she gives birth, we will move into it. Paolo is determined to get rid of Flores well before the baby is due,” Camila explains, and Gabriela and Dante finally sit down at the table.

“She’s right, Dante. We can’t tell her how to raise this child. All we can do is guide her and be there for her. Don’t ruin your relationship with your sister or your future niece or nephew, please. We can’t lose any more of this family,” she says, a tear falling from her eye.

“Mother…” Dante whispers.

“Please,” she begs him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He’s silent for a moment, his eyes closed as he breathes deep. Eventually, he wraps his hand around hers and his eyes open, aimed directly at his sister.

“You will come with us tomorrow and stay at the house. Under no circumstance will you leave without a member of security there to escort you. You will stay guarded until we find Rowen and get rid of Diego Flores once and for all.”

Gabriela nods and stands. She walks to the doorway of the dining room and turns to speak to Dante.

“Thank you. For finally hearing me,” she says and turns to leave.

Oscar blows out a long sigh, and Dante pours himself a glass of scotch. I stand and straighten my bodycon dress before kissing Dante’s forehead and walking toward the kitchen.

“I’ll start making dinner,” I say, and Camila gets up to follow me.

“Allow me to help, please,” she says, and I nod as we leave the men in silence.

I take off my shoes and tie an apron over my dress, knotting it in place. I wash my hands before I grab peppers and onions from the fridge and begin chopping. Camila washes her’s as well and pours us each a glass of wine before she helps me chop up the vegetables.

“I need you to do something for me, Emmie,” she says quietly as I grab the chicken from the fridge to begin marinating it.

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