“Find the marriage contract between Castro and Sidorov. We’ll need to know what was promised in that one as well.” A smart suggestion, even if I wasn’t the one to make it.
Ángel nods, closes his computer, and rises to his feet. “Will do. If I’m not needed here anymore—”
“Go,” I tell him. “Get some sleep. Whatever you find can wait until morning.”
Without hesitating, he makes his escape.
“I’ll leave you two to it,” Aztlán adds, also getting to his feet. “Hasta mañana.” See you tomorrow.
Adrian is the last of my brothers to remain, but he makes no move to leave. “Out with it,” I tell him, knowing he wouldn’t still be here if he didn’t have something else to say.
“I still think this is a mistake.”
“So you’ve said.” Only now, after what we’ve learned, we both know the family will support my decision. Not that I care about having their approval when it comes to Leticia. But this way, I won’t have to fight two battles at once. I can focus my attention on winning her back, and in the process, take satisfaction in knowing I have everything I need to destroy Ruben Castro.
“You love her.”
It’s not a question, but I answer him anyway. “I do.”
He shakes his head, a bitter twist to his lips. “Then think before you do whatever you’re about to, Andres, because, in this, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
My forehead wrinkles in confusion. “What do you mean?” From where I’m sitting, I can have everything I’ve ever wanted. The girl and revenge for Papá’s murder. But the way Adrian speaks implies I will have to pick between the two.
“She will never forgive you for destroying her family.”
I snort. “You don’t know Leticia like I do.”
He shakes his head. “No. You don’t know Leticia Castro like you used to. She’s not the girl you loved before.”
Through gritted teeth, I reject his words. The Leticia I grew up with hated her father. A lot has changed in the years we’ve spent apart, but there isn’t any part of me that believes her feelings where her father is concerned are one of them.
“You’re wrong about this.”
“Maybe,” he admits. “But give it some thought, Andres. Because at the end of the day, he is still her family.”
That’s where my brother is wrong. I am Leticia’s family, and I’m the only one she will ever need.
12
LETICIA
Maria leads me down a long hallway before stopping at a heavy wooden door. Opening it, she ushers me inside where I find a large, yet comfortable, bedroom. There’s an open door to the left that leads to the ensuite, and another that is closed on the right. I assume it leads to the closet.
“Necesitas algo?” she asks, voicing the question in Spanish. Do you need anything?
“Gracias, pero no.” Thank you, but no. “Todo está bien.” All is well.
“Comida?” Food? “Algo para beber?” Something to drink?
I shake my head. It’s nice of her to be concerned, but I wouldn’t be able to stomach anything she brought me right now. Not after the night I’ve had. “No. Gracias.”
Having both offers of food and refreshment declined, Maria retreats to the doorway.
“Buenas noches.” Good night. She gives me a small nod and closes the door to my room behind her.
Snick.
I jump.
