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This went on for three minutes before her father, Ricardo, entered the building.
Even without sound, it was obvious he was pissed. Who wouldn’t be? He approached the table and words were exchanged.
“She doesn’t even care,” Elena murmured.
“She never did,” I replied, watching her mother laugh and then smile, waving Ricardo off. Samuel tried to speak and was promptly shut down.
Whatever they were saying began drawing the attention of the other patrons inside the establishment. Ricardo’s final words had the smile dropping from his wife’s face as he stormed away. The video cut out after he exited the restaurant.
“Was it him? Is that what you wanted to show me? My father killed her, didn’t he?” Elena rushed out, “Because she slept with his brother—their brother?”
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. That was one way to perceive the scene she’d just witnessed. It wasn’t true, but it still held weight.
“He didn’t kill her, though I can see why you would think that. Samuel isn’t his real brother, just like Molly wasn’t your real aunt.”
She turned her head to look at me, confusion and sadness marring her flawless features.
“I don’t understand any of this.”
“Then agree to work with me.”
“Agree to—what? Are you seriously trying to change the subject right now?” she snapped, standing up from the couch.
“No, I’m offering to take our relationship to the next level and be a partner instead of an enemy.”
She laughed humorlessly and quirked a brow. “What do you get out of that, Mateo? I know this isn’t being offered from the kindness of your missing heart, so please don’t sit here and pretend you’re some selfless saint; we both know that’s utter bullshit.”
“We can be something amazing together. I know I hurt you. I know what you’re afraid of.”
I ignored her dirty mouth for once, and persisted. Her refusal was what utter bullshit was.
She was scared of falling in deeper with me, but we both knew she was already stuck. I’d do anything to keep her safe and give her a life where she had everything she desired. I wanted to place her on a pedestal and treat her like the cutthroat queen I knew she was.
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“I’m the most invaluable asset you’ll ever have.”
She tried to look away, but I wouldn’t allow it.
Gently lifting her chin with my knuckle, I peered down at her. “Don’t look away, amada. If someone can’t maintain eye contact, they’re either guilty of something or afraid. A lot of times, they’re both.
“I’ve saved your life when Alex failed to end it. I watched over you for five years, and I got rid of a body on your behalf. I think that says you can trust me.”
It took her a second to understand what I was referring to. Her eyes slightly widened and she stepped back.
I let her have the few inches of space to process another tidbit of revelation. Seems I was quite full of those lately.
“You?” she questioned, disbelievingly.
“What else could it be other than be fate that had me around every time you’ve ever needed me the most? From the botched suicide hit, to the piece of shit that tried to take what wasn’t his and slit your thigh open.”
She opened her mouth, closing it when words refused to come out. Her gaze went to the blue screen, and then bounced back to me.
Reaching out, I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and cupped the side of her face.
“Why would you do that? You…saved my life that night. I knew something about you was familiar,” she said quietly.
“Doesn’t all that prove I’m trustworthy?” I deflected.
