Page 41 of His Vicious Vow
Lauren was on the team when the exhibit went to Los Angeles a few years ago. Paul said the head of that museum said she was invaluable. Firing her would be bad for business.
“You can keep your position here. One warning: I am engaged. I care for her. I will not have her upset by women from my past. They do not matter to me, she does.”
Her eyebrows are up. “She must be important for you to surrender your freedom for marriage.” I narrow my eyes at her tone. She smiles wide. “My congratulations to the both of you.”
“Thank you. See yourself out.”
She leaves with a firm click of the door behind her.
Disappointment fills me when the call comes through from Carina’s doctor. She confirms Carina came in for a birth control shot. Since she didn’t feel right charging Carina for something she didn’t receive, the shot was a flu vaccine.
I send the payoff for the second student loan. Once I receive it, I send her the confirmation of the zero balance.
That night I tease her about the girls I want. Our conversation is the quickest it’s been. She ends it with the excuse she’s tired. Something eases in me. I am certain she feels guilty for the shot. I’m hoping her guilt will have her admit—at least to herself—she feels something for me.
Every night we text. It’s not nearly what I want. I begin every night with a call she doesn’t answer. I accept the texts if it’s all she can give. Through the texts I find out she wants to keep busy but isn’t sure if she wants to continue her shop. I also find out her favorite artists, she can’t sleep without noise, her favorite scent is jasmine, her favorite tea is chamomile, and her favorite tea cups and why. And every morning I miss her more than the day before.
It’s a week and a half before I’m at home at the same time as my sister. I’m tired, all I want to do is take a shower and go to bed. Bianca appears more exhausted than me, yet she’s dressed to go out at almost eleven. A normal time to go out in Vegas. If Bianca was someone who went out and partied it made sense but she’s not. She tried it the first year she was in the dorms because all the girls she knew were doing it. Less than six weeks in she was over it.
“Are you going out?” I’m curious.
She shrugs. “I have a date.”
“A date?”
“Yeah, a date. I can go on a date.” Her jaw goes tight.
“Yes, of course. You surprised me. Have you thought of changing your room at all? I know you bought some furniture but if there’s anything else, let me know.” I offer.
Her smile is glowing. “I called the best interior designer in Vegas. She’s agreed to come next week. I’ve sent her my ideas for the living room and all the measurements.”
“Why did you do that? I told you that you can redo your room. However, it will be Carina who redecorates our home.”
She stomps her foot in temper. “This is my home too.”
“Yes, but eventually you are going to move out—maybe with this guy you’re going out with. This will still be our home once you’re gone. Her home. She needs to be the one to decide what she wants to live in.” I’m firm.
“Fine. Whatever. I can’t do anything right.” Is yelled at me as she leaves.
What the hell was that about? While I’m thinking of it, I pull out my phone to text Carina. It rings in my hand.
It’s Gaetano. “Mundo Reyes is here. He wants to see you.”
It throws me off. “Go ahead and take him to my office.”
I hang up with him and call Valdez ten seconds later as I go into the elevator to go back downstairs. “Do you have any idea why Mundo is here to see me?”
“No. But I do know Mundo is shifting from the death and destruction of his father. The Reyes Cartel will no longer traffic human cargo and he’s emptied the brothels. No more violence on women, trafficking, and the useless killing. If he is there it’s for a good business reason. I would see him and keep it in mind when you do.”
Over the last few years I’ve come to trust his opinion. He got it right when it came to Mundo killing his father. I thank him and end the call as I sit down behind my desk.
Minutes later Gaetano follows Mundo into the room with his hand on his gun as he closes the door behind them both.
Mundo sits in one of the chairs in front of my desk without an invitation. His grey eyes are an eerie silver—almost colorless. “I am here to inform you that you have no further worries for your life. At least until the next person wants to kill you. I killed my brother Guillermo this morning. He was the one who had a contract out on your life.”
“Guillermo, the one over Los Angeles?” I murmur for confirmation, studying him. How unconcerned he appears, as he speaks of killing his brother. Then again, he did kill his father less than three weeks ago.
“Past tense. Augusto’s heart attack was due to finding out Luca had Bella. The word went out Augusto intended to kill Luca. Guillermo was trying to gain his favor. He hoped Augusto would have him take over the cartel, instead of me. Everyone knew the only way to get to Luca was through you. With you dead, Guillermo planned to go in for the kill himself.” He shakes his head.