16
ANDRÉS
The harder the battle, the sweeter the victory. Leticia’s acceptance might be the sweetest victory there is.
Her lashes cast shadows across her cheeks as she closes her eyes and surrenders to the moment.
“Trust me,” I murmur.
She’d been softening before, but at my words, Leticia goes rigid.
Pulling back, I study the expression on her face and confirm what I already know. I fucked up.
“I can’t.” She swallows hard and turns away.
Frustration bubbles up inside of me. Now isn’t the time to lash out or make demands of her. I remind myself that in time, she will come around. Trust between us will return.
“I know. I’m …” Pressing my tongue to my cheek, I force out the word. “I’m sorry.”
Leticia’s brows pull together.
“It’ll take time to repair the bridge between us,” I say. “I know that. But we will, baby. We’ll rebuild. Just tell me that while we do it, you’ll be at my side.” Wracking my brain, I search for the words to convince her that this is where she belongs. “Your happiness is important to me.” Reaching out, I turn her face back to me. “You are important to me. If it’s schooling you want, you will have it. If you want to travel, we’ll go see the world.”
Hope flashes in her eyes, but just as quickly, it’s snuffed out. “Don’t make promises you have no intention of keeping.”
When will she realize I will give her the world if it garners me her favor? “They’re not promises,” I say.
Shoulders slumping, her lips twist into a grimace.
“They are vows.”
Leticia’s eyes widen.
Taking her hands, I weave her fingers with mine. “If you choose to be with me, I vow to bring you happiness. To give you every opportunity to seek joy in life. I will honor and cherish you for all the days that we live. A life with me won’t be an easy one. That is not the cartel way.”
She nods, understanding and anticipation lighting up her gaze.
“But I will do right by you in a way no other man can.” I bring her hands to my lips, kissing the backs of her palms. “I will protect you.” Unspoken is that should anyone even think of hurting her, I will burn them to the ground. “But I will never cage you. These are my vows.”
Holding my breath, I brace myself for her response. Tears fill her eyes, but not a single one of them drops. “He will never let you have me.”
We hold each other’s stares. “Let me worry about that.” I’m close. She wants to agree. But something beyond her anger is holding her back. “What is it?” I ask, sensing there is more she isn’t telling me.”
Leti closes her eyes, and a lone tear escapes to trail down her face. “I’ll be dead before I ever inherit. You see that, right?”
My blood turns to ice. “Explain.”
Another tear tracks down her cheek. My chest tightens. Reaching out, I swipe her tears away.
“You are the enemy.”
I nod, well aware of how her father sees me.
“He’s already encouraged Maxim to claim my virginity.”
My brows draw together. “Why?” The agreement states her innocence must remain intact.
“He doesn’t want me to inherit.”
