Introduce? As though I didn’t spend weeks with her. As if I’m not intimately familiar with her. As if even now my body doesn’t thrum with the need to have her back in my arms.
My jaw tightens but I swallow my reaction. That’s what this is about. Ignacio’s simply looking for a reaction from me. He hasn’t even glanced at me once, keeping his eyes on my elder brother instead.
Which is fine with me. I’m far too busy staring at the woman at his side. When her eyes meet mine, the world stops. I see all my pain and heart ache mirrored back at me and it fills me with some measure of hope. Then she looks at the woman who has her arms around me and her expression lightens. I glimpse amusement in her amber eyes.
A tiny twitch threatening her mouth.
"As you are all well aware, Liliana was recently returned to the family to take her rightful place."
Ignacio sounds ridiculously proud. Liliana smiles politely.
"It’s nice to meet you all,” she says, playing her part well.
My jaw grinds. Then Vicky steps forward. For a moment I brace myself, expecting… hell I don’t even know. I brought her here to make Liliana jealous.
Instead Vicky beams.
"It’s so nice to meet you too. You're even more gorgeous than I expected. I’ve heard a lot about you. My name is Victoria Torres. But you can call me Vicky.”
I stare at her.
Liliana offers her a small smile. “You’re Rafaelle’s date?”
“Yes, he invited me here so he wouldn’t be alone and I just couldn’t turn him down, the poor thing.”
What the fuck?
That is so not how this was supposed to go. Irritation flares within me. They’re both smiling and Liliana is completely at ease, not a single jealous flare in sight. It’s pretty clear she saw right through my pathetic ruse and has no intention of rising to the bait.
Thankfully Ignacio chooses that moment to steal Liliana away. I turn to Vicky once they’re gone.
“You’re awful at this,” I say annoyed.
Lindsay who has barely been able to hold in her laughter speaks up, “That was amazing. And you were transparent as hell, Rafaelle. I’m glad she saw through it. She’s pretty cool.”
I don’t reply, huffing out a breath before turning my attention back to Ignacio and the beautiful woman he’s practically using as a trophy.
People trip over themselves trying to meet the cartel princess who appeared from nowhere. I should stop staring. I know I should.
But I don't. My eyes follow her everywhere.
Every polite smile. Every movement. Every glance.
She's magnetic.
I knew it the first night I saw her standing beneath stage lights.
Now everyone else knows it too.
The realization annoys me. I preferred it when she was only mine.
I watch as a man approaches her. He’s tall and clearly charming since he made her smile. He speaks to her father for a minute before turning to her.
Liliana listens politely as he says something. Then he extends a hand.
An invitation to a fucking dance. She hesitates. Her eyes dart over to the direction where I’m standing. Then I see her expression turn resigned as she accepts.
Something ugly twists inside my chest. Low and dangerous. I watch him place a hand against her waist. Watch him lead her onto the dance floor.
