Page 86 of LA Reign

I’m not sure what to say next. I didn’t expect this to be so straightforward.

“Is there anything else? I’m kind of busy.”

“Yes. Did you offer to fund my post instead?”

“I did,” he replies. “You’re doing important work, and I didn’t want the shelter to suffer because Bobby Conroy has no sense of boundaries. Or because I kill him one day.”

“Oh,” I say softly. I knew it was him, but I’m surprised that this conversation has been so simple. He hasn’t even snarked at me or raised his voice, and he’s only threatened to kill Bobby once. He really must be busy.

“You know it’s about more than just money. Bobby’s world is rich in donors. It could have opened up a whole new world for the shelter.”

I hear a strange crashing noise in the background and decide not to ask. Alejandro is clearly okay and that’s all that matters.

“Look, princesa, I am busy, okay? But I hear what you’re saying. The Montoya Corporation also has many contacts, and many legitimate business partners who I will ensure are made aware of the Maggie O’Malley Center.”

“Okay. Right. I’ll let you get back to your work then,” I say. Whatever the hell that is.

“Good. I’ll see you later.” He’s about to hang up when I speak again.

“Alejandro! Wait. There is one more thing.”

“And what’s that?” he asks, the irritation in his voice clearly audible now.

“Te quiero.”

I hear a soft sigh this time. Not one of annoyance, but perhaps of relief. “I love you too.”

Chapter

Thirty-Five

ALANA

Iwalk through the house to the kitchen, repeating the phrase over and over in my head so I don’t forget it. I’ve never seen Hank so much as crack a smile before. Whatever the joke is it must be incredibly funny.

I could ask Alejandro what they said, but I’ve hardly seen him this past week. He’s still doing everything he can to find the person responsible for shooting his father as well as dealing with all the other aspects of his business, and he’s incredibly busy. He spends long hours working at the hotel. Even though he comes home to me, it’s often after midnight. I miss him and feel distance creeping in between us, but I don’t want to complain. He has far more important things to deal with than me right now.

As well as Alex working all hours, I’m also seeing less of Lucia. Her new school is working out well, and she’s made a friend who lives nearby. Alejandro knows the family, and she’s always accompanied by her guards anyway, so she’s been spending more time there.

I’m happy for her. It’s good that she’s managing to have at least some normal teenaged experiences before she becomes a mom. But I’m also a touch sad for me. I’m alone a lot, and when I heard Hank and the other guys laughing so hard, I really wanted to join in. But there’s a language barrier with some of them, as well as the even bigger barrier—I’m their boss’s wife.

I walk into the kitchen and find our housekeeper, Magda, preparing dinner.

“Evening, Alana,” she says with a smile.

“Hi, Magda. Need any help?” I reply.

“No thank you, dulce niña. I’m almost done.”

I lean back against the counter and pop a piece of crunchy bell pepper into my mouth. Magda is putting some dishes into the sink by the time I’ve finished eating it. “Magda, what does la llevamos por las dos puertas mean?” I ask her.

Magda almost drops the plate she is carrying onto the floor. She fumbles and manages to prevent it from slipping out of her hands, but her face turns a bright shade of red. She stares at me with her mouth gaping open. I have no idea why she looks so shocked. I often come to her and ask for translations, and none of them have made her react like this before.

“Alana!” I hear a voice behind me and realize Alejandro just walked through the door. I smile at the sight of him and want to run into his arms. I didn’t expect him home so early. He’s dressed in one of his impeccably tailored suits and, as usual, he looks good enough to lick from head to toe.

He looks almost as shocked as Magda, and I’m starting to think I’ve repeated something highly inappropriate. “What? What did I say?” Magda clears her throat and carries on clearing the dishes as Alejandro crosses the room to me.

“You almost gave Magda a heart attack,” he says, half scowling, half grinning. “Come with me.” Placing his hand on the small of my back, he guides me out of the kitchen.