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Enforcers come out of the house cutting off the invading thoughts I have no business entertaining.
“Sir. Welcome home. We have a few things to update you on when you’re ready.” Three sets of eyes swivel my way.
So this is who he was texting in the car. “Updates on what? My father?”
He shakes his head. “None of your concern.”
I bristle at his response. As the daughter of an enforcer, I’m not new to the life. I don’t know every intricate detail, true, but I’m not a wilting flower either. “I refuse to be pushed to the outside when it comes to my family. If something is going on with my father, you need to tell me.”
Shadows roam over his expression. He doesn’t like being stood up to. That is his problem, not mine.
While looking me in the eye, he grumbles orders out to his enforcers.
“Find Mabel. Tell her we have a guest who needs to be taken to the her suite. Now.” The more he talks the harsher his tone turns. My cheeks flood with embarrassment and anger for the men receiving his brutish orders on my behalf.
I jerk my hand out of his and step away. I make my way to the top landing of the entrance. His eyes burn into the spot between my shoulder blades as I move farther away.
“Once you’ve found Mabel, wait for me in my office. Now leave us.”
I grab the hand of the closest enforcer. “I’m sorry to cause you any trouble. Thank you.”
Stunned, the man says nothing. All three turn, leaving me alone with De La Rosa who is quick to grab me by the shoulders and spin me around.
My finger is in his chest and I lock eyes with him the second his face is in mine. “They might call you the Beast, but you don’t have to act like one. And you will learn I don’t do well when others order me around.”
De La Rosa frowns deeply, his brows knitting together. “Don’t apologize for me. Ever. I meant every word I said and how I said it.”
I match his anger with my own. “Don’t be so rude to the people helping you and I wouldn’t have to. Do you hear yourself?”
He draws back, considering me a moment. Long enough for me to calm my breathing. He seems to do the same. “There’s a reason I don't treat these men like they are my friends. Your father is the latest example. Do I need to continue?”
Ouch. I wince. His phone goes off and he pulls it out, taking my hand again in his free one. “One moment. We can continue this conversion after I take this.”
I shoot a hard look at him. “There’s nothing else to say. Be nice. It’s not that hard.”
He answers the phone, but stays silent as I assume he receives a report from one of his men. His gaze roams over my hair and touches on the way it hangs over the curve of my breasts.
A wave of chills ripples over my skin. Now that my mind isn’t fully in survival mode, I can appreciate other details about my surroundings as I wait. Like the scent of roses in the air. The warmth of the night. The way this man turns his body into mine and seems to take in every movement I make like it will give him answers about who I am.
“Was that about my father?”
His jaw clenches and the lines around his mouth deepen. I can’t imagine he has many people demanding answers from him.
He takes a moment before he answers.
“In a way, Bella. Darrion is sending out feelers about how bad his men messed up tonight and he’s looking for his man and your father. Both have disappeared.”
“What happens now?” I fear his answer, but I have to know.
His bright gaze fixes on mine. A huge chunk of ice settles on my chest and I remind myself I am the one who wants answers.
He brings his hand to my face. The warmth of his touch contrasts the coldness in his next words. “When I get my hands on Abel, he is the first who will pay for his disrespect against my name, territory and the man they cost me. Then I’ll go after Darrion.”
I shudder. Death is here, and his icy touch is on this man’s soul. I can appreciate his candor. I’m also mentally brought back to the reason I’m here.
“What will happen to my father?”
“I don’t know yet.”
