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“Because other families don’t care, which isn’t a good thing. And if you dated a normal guy, then this would be a different situation. Then it wouldn’t matter how long you kept it a secret because it really would be none of our business. But you probably wouldn’t have kept it a secret this long because there would be no reason not to introduce him to your family.”
“My father never actually said this to me, but he doesn’t want to meet a man unless he’s gonna be my husband. It was implied. So it would be too soon for that anyway.” A part of me wished my personal life weren’t so fascinating to everyone, but I also knew Vanessa was right. Everyone just wanted the best for me, and that meant I needed to be with the best guy.
“I get that,” Vanessa said with a nod. “But since there’re only a few weeks left, it doesn’t matter. When you find the next guy, make sure he’s not a crime lord, and everything should be just fine.”
My expression immediately wilted at the thought of meeting someone new, dating someone new, sleeping with someone new… I couldn’t picture a face different from Bosco’s. I loved the strong lines of his jaw, the beauty of his bright eyes, and the hard muscles of his trim physique. I loved how tough he was, the way he commanded an entire room just by walking into it. And I loved how soft he was when it was just the two of us, when he was treating me like a delicate woman who needed affection.
Vanessa caught the look. “Griffin is under the impression this is gonna end in three weeks…I hope that’s still the case.”
I kept telling myself that’s what was gonna happen, but now I didn’t know anymore. Bosco was convinced I would never leave his side, not when we crossed the line and told each other that meaningful phrase. “I need to tell you something. You can’t tell Griffin.”
She covered her face with her palms before she dragged them down her cheeks. “Carmen, don’t do this to me. I don’t want to keep anything from my husband. It’s too weird. We’re honest with each other about everything.”
“I’m sorry. But you’re the person I confide everything to…”
She squinted her eyes like that was painful to hear. “Alright. What is it?”
I told her about The Butcher and the ring. I told her about the night Bosco fought him to the death.
Vanessa looked horrified. “They jumped in the ring together and fought like animals?”
“Yeah…”
“Jesus, that doesn’t scare you?”
“No…it turned me on, honestly.” Seeing Bosco fight like a carnal creature and claim his territory only made me respect him more. He turned into a primal man who only understood love and violence. “He’s so powerful, even without his suit and his men. His authority comes from who he is…not just his wealth. He didn’t have to do that, but since I’m his woman, he wanted to. He wanted to break that man’s bones and make him pay for what he did…while I watched. It was the manliest thing I’d ever seen.”
Vanessa watched me, a wealth of emotions on her face. “Reminds me of something Griffin would do.”
“Exactly.”
“That man is hung up on you, Carmen. Why would he risk everything for you unless you were the most important person in his life?”
That was my opportunity to tell her my next batch of news. “Ruby called him one night. I got jealous, so I snatched the phone and talked to her…told her off for trying to take Bosco away from me.”
“Good. Skank needs to know the boundaries.”
“When I hung up, Bosco and I talked about it. I told him I was surprised he didn’t go for it with her. He was a little offended by that. Then he told me he loved me. Said he didn’t want anyone else, not when I’m the only woman he loves.”
Vanessa didn’t seem even slightly surprised by that. “And you told him the same thing.”
“Well, no. I told him we were going our separate ways in three weeks, so I refused to say it back. But then he rescued me at the bank, and…I couldn’t keep it inside any longer. I told him how I felt…and meant every single word.”
Vanessa sighed before she ran her fingers through her hair. “This is bad. Griffin thinks it’s gonna end.”
“That’s still my objective.”
Vanessa cocked her head to the side and gave me an incredulous look, like what I’d just said was absolutely preposterous. “You love this man, and you’re really going to leave him? I don’t believe that, and I don’t see how you can believe that. When I told Griffin I loved him, there was no going back. We were in it together—for better or worse. There’s power in those words. It’ll bind you together for the rest of your life.”
