“First things first, we have to get out of here.”
“Great, but where do we go? We have no idea who summoned the demon. It could be one of the other familias. Maybe someone who wants to stop the consolidation of power. I mean, the wedding.”
The corner of his mouth quirks in a smile. “You’re right. We need neutral ground.”
I groan. “I hope you don’t mean what I think you mean.”
His tone is tinged with humor. “What do you have against The Crone’s Nest Inn? It has better wards than anywhere else on the island.”
“Is your great-uncle still the proprietor?”
Diego’s grin is full blown. Somehow, it lights up the small space even more. “What’s wrong with Tío Nestor?”
“Nothing. I love your tío Nestor. But he’s…”
“A lot?”
“That’s putting it mildly. You know he’s going to demand I design him another cape.”
“He still talks about the first one you made.”
“I’ve made him twenty. How do we know Nestor isn’t involved?”
“Tío Nestor stays out of family drama.”
“Pretty sure a demon possessing your brother days before his wedding to my sister goes well beyond the category of drama. This is a straight-up scandal.”
“We’ll deal with the fallout later. For now we have to figure out how to get out of here.”
Crystal’s muffled voice cuts him off. “Cat? Where are you, Cat?”
I let out a startled squeak. “Shit, it’s Crystal.”
“Casita, find Catalina,” Crystal calls out.
The closet door shudders.
“Thanks a lot, Casita,” I mutter.
Diego’s brows draw together in a scowl, and he looks so fierce and dangerous and, okay, yes, sexy, that I wouldn’t put it past him to blast my sister if he thought she were a threat.
I tap Diego’s shoulder to get his attention. “I’m going to kiss you.”
His eyebrows leap up, and the corners of his mouth curve.
“Odd reaction, but I’m not opposed.”
“It’s just to give us a cover story for why we’re in this closet.”
He opens his arms to me. “Do your worst.”
I step into the space he’s made, bringing us even closer than we already were. I cup his face, and his hands land on my waist. Crystal’s footsteps come nearer.
We’re out of time. No turning back now.
Raising my chin, I gently pull his face down to mine. I mean for it to be like a stage kiss. Just pretend, you know? But a second before our lips meet, mine part on an indrawn breath. And then his mouth is on mine and before I know it, our tongues are touching. Tasting. Licking. A thrill races through me, and I lean closer. His arms tighten around my waist and then—
The door swings open and I jump. Somehow, I’d forgotten that we were only kissing to create this exact moment. My face heats as we break apart, and I don’t have to pretend to be surprised when I see Crystal standing there.
