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I just had to hope that when I did, she’d understand why I’d kept it from her.
“How have you been liking my city, Uncle?” Mari asked after she finished, leaning back in her chair with her hands resting on her belly.
“It’s beautiful. I’ve been enjoying the sights and the people very much.”
It was the perfect answer. Vague and uninteresting, absolutely no detail. When Nate’s and Greyson’s eyes narrowed, I knew they thought the same.
“What have you been doing with your time?” I asked casually.
Don’t mind me. Just your niece’s boyfriend trying to get to know you.
As if the heir to the Osorio Cartel would ever believe that.
“A little of this, a little of that.” Another evasive answer that sent tingles down my spine while my mind was chanting, Danger.
“What about your father? Is the Wolf hearing all about your adventures in the city?”
Greyson leaned back in his chair, deceptively relaxed, but I saw Nate’s hand slip under the table. Meanwhile, Mari pinched me on the inside of the thigh, and I could almost hear her hissing What the fuck is wrong with you?
But she didn’t say it. Because as much as we didn’t want to talk about work, work would always be there, and as of now, the Osorios and the Marcosas were not friends. Which meant she couldn’t undermine her own leadership team in front of a potential enemy. Though I was going to get an earful later.
Rafael flashed a predator’s smile, all sharp teeth and sharper intent. “Even if he was, I think you’re aware there are some things I can’t tell you, Dominic.”
“Of course not, but you can see how things look from our perspective. You blow into town in the nick of time, then disappear into the ether when it’s done, offering information you haven’t been able to produce. It seems shady, don’t you think?”
He wasn’t expecting me to be honest, nor for Mari to back me up silently. He thought I’d let his non-answers go for the sake of politeness. He was wrong.
Rafael cleared his throat and set down his fork. When he looked at Mari, his face was open but serious. I wondered if it was real or just a ploy to play on her emotions.
“To be honest, I’ve been digging into things here. The entire city is in chaos. Allies betraying allies, friends betraying friends, and a new party ready and willing to take over it all. It’s the perfect time for a revolution.” Mari’s eyebrow ticked, and he lifted his hands in surrender. “I’m not judging, nor am I here to take over. Just offering my observations.”
“Why did you feel the need to observe at all? Seattle isn’t your city.” I didn’t need to remind him of that, but it didn’t make sense.
“But it is my niece’s. I have my reasons for looking into things.”
“Sounds like someone bringing in more secrets when we can’t afford them,” I drawled.
“Maybe I just don’t want to ruin such a lovely weekend. I do love weddings. Don’t you, Dominic?”
Rafael’s eyes twinkled as he popped the last bite of almond French toast into his mouth. There was a heaviness in his words. A weight that shouldn’t be there.
He knows.
The thought hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn’t know how or why, but like Greyson, Rafael knew what he shouldn’t. What he couldn’t.
What should have gone to the grave with Mario.
With Greyson, I didn’t have to worry. He would spare me to spare Mari. Rafael didn’t give a fuck either way. He was the new guy in Mari’s life, the outsider, and I had no doubt he’d throw me under the bus if it kept him in her good graces.
Shit, shit, shit.
Grey glared at me, and his expression screamed, Get your shit together.
Easy for him to say; he was on the fast track to forever, while I’d just gotten permission to get in the fucking car again.
Thankfully, Mari didn’t poke at the statement. “Secrets or not, you promised information and have yet to deliver. Why?”
There it was, a wince. A chink in the armor. It wasn’t a lot—minuscule, really—but it was something I’d dig into if I wanted to keep what he knew out of Mari’s ears. I’d just gotten her back. I couldn’t let her shut me out again because I wasn’t a fool. This time, it would be for good.
