Page 50 of Secrets of the Six

The yearning stirring in the pit of my stomach washes away the second she narrows her green eyes and looks away. She smiles at Rogelio and giggles at something he's said. Even though I know it's all part of the act, I hate that I desire for her to look at me in the same light.

When the music ends, I have just enough time to bow, kiss Lucinda's hand, and thank her for the dance before a man closer to her age appears and asks for the next dance. I take my leave, retreating to the sidelines and snatch an appetizer from a passing tray.

During the next dance, I observe Lucinda laughing with her new partner and can't help but feel proud of my one, merciful deed.

"Tread carefully, Don Rafael. Soon all the mothers in Orlencia will hear of your matchmaking abilities and ask you to dance with their daughters." Doña Otero slips up next to me, rooting her cane in front of her for balance.

I click my teeth. "Soon the novelty will wear off and everyone will catch on to what I'm doing. All clout I have will fizzle." I smirk down at her, but she doesn't seem amused. "You throw a wonderful party, Doña."

"Thank you, but I'm afraid all anyone will be talking about is your riveting paso doble."

I groan, detecting her disapproval, and roll my eyes. "What did you expect me to do? Let the Murrietas leave?"

She glares at me, not backing down an inch. "Does it kill you to see her with him?"

Her question rattles me, but I shake my head, a frown quickly taking the place of my mirth. "No. Why would you – "

"Because you bear the face of a jealous lover," she points an accusatory finger my way before gripping her cane.

"You've been reading those racy novels of yours again, I see," I attempt to infuse some humor to combat the tension, but it does me no good.

"Remember who you are and what we are here to do," she says gently, returning to her hostess role.

"I assure you, Doña, I do not need reminding."

"Hmph." She taps her cane against the floor as she begins to walk away. "We will see."

She waves, greeting a group of older women before leaving me to my thoughts. The party will end soon and as I typically do, I'll leave before anyone notices. I permit myself one last glance at Ines who is dancing with a grinning Rogelio. I can't help but wonder if while she's dancing with him, she's thinking of me – of my hands skimming across her soft skin and my lips grazing hers.

If what Otero and the rest of the aristocrats believe is true of dancing being insight into how your partner moves behind closed doors, then I'll be hypnotized by her until the day I draw my last breath.

As if Ines can sense my wicked, greedy thoughts, she flicks her eyes up and meets my unrelenting, unapologetic gaze. I tip my head, a silent goodbye, and slip out of the house and into my awaiting carriage.

The trek to Don Rafael's house in the Golden District gives me enough time to torture myself with thoughts of Ines. There's something about her that makes me question everything I've ever wanted in life. She's ruthless and snarky and is quick to anger, not at all a woman of high society, and yet I admire every single one of her flaws. Possibly more than the lightness in her. Maybe it's because I haven't been given the luxury or opportunity to cultivate goodness in myself, I'm forced to live a duplicitous life and here, she is too. We juggle two different worlds and she's taken to the role better than I could have ever expected. Perhaps I'm little more than a fool for seeing the beauty in her darkness and hoping she could one day appreciate me for mine.

I wasn't naive to believe I'd be able to weasel my way into Severo's good graces or inner circle. If I could have, I would have. But we have been at odds ever since I've risen in rank and earned the Soberano's favor. It was easier than one would think to please the illegitimate ruler. He loves praise and worship; adoration of any kind is the ticket to a seat at his table. Throw in my ability to throw a damn good festival in the Night and Entertainment Districts and I was ushered into the fold.

But that still left a great need for a woman to be able to slither her way into the Murrieta household and steal the information I need. To be my eyes and ears deep within the enemy's circle; a place I would never be welcome.

I remember breaking into the Hall of Records in the Judicial District late at night, scouring file after file to find an incarcerated woman who possessed skills that would be of use to us. When I found Ines' sheet, I knew her burglary skill set would be perfect. Her physical description and the sketch of her likeness clipped to the list of crimes I knew were most likely added to sweeten the pot of a swift execution immediately made me realize she bore a striking resemblance to Doña Otero's niece from the country. Everyone knows the Lozanos are wealthy and powerful seeing they're merged with House Otero, but their daughter is also a well-known recluse. Perhaps, we could chalk that up to gossip and have her woo Severo's son.

It was the best and only true plan I had, so I acted on it. I forged documents to have her released immediately and delivered the message myself in an unmarked carriage. Whoever had a grudge against Ines de la Vega had thrown their weight around and pushed her execution date up earlier than expected. Had I waited another day to break into the Hall of Records, she would have been cold and lifeless. Fate was on my side.

What I hadn't expected was for Fate to also be so cruel and bring a woman who mirrored my darkness to rip inside my chest and grab ahold of my heart. If she asked it of me, I'd carve it out myself and hand it to her willingly.

What is happening to me?

My carriage comes to a halt outside my house – or rather, Don Rafael's house. The white stucco of the two-story mansion almost glows under the full moon. Green shutters frame each window, and the well-maintained rose bushes line the outside of the structure, giving me the privacy I crave. When I purchased this home years ago, the bestselling features were the sloped terracotta rooftop and it being a corner lot near the canal. It would make it increasingly more difficult for someone to attempt to sneak onto my fenced grounds or scale the roof. Believe me, I've climbed my fair share of buildings over the years and sloped terracotta is by far the worst.

I don't wait for the driver to open my door. I climb out, stride up the three front steps, and glide inside as my butler holds the door open. To keep up with my elite status, I have a full staff to maintain my house in the Golden District. All of them are Venturans, hiding in plain sight. I know my secrets will be kept safe with them, and they won't be subjected to hide underground like the rest of our people.

"You have a visitor, Señor." Manuel takes my hat and coat in the foyer.

"A visitor?" I never receive guests here to keep everyone in my service safe.

"He said he'd wait for you in your office."

Clearly Manuel isn't worried, so I shouldn't be. I don't bother to ask who it is because I have a sneaky suspicion of who it might be, and he knows better than to be out this late on his own.