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"Would you rather I be killed or cower so someone can take my place? If one of my men turned against me, his Boss, and put a bullet in my head, what do you think he'd do to my mother and sister? Or you? A man like that has no balls. He has no limit to his corrupt and selfishness."
Leo turns me and shines a light down onto an ornate headstone with my father's name on it, "I am not saying that Danny was within his rights to kill your father. Far from it. Julian had the respect of the men. Even in his grave, the Reyes Generals and Captains still respect your father. Why? Because Julian Cabello was loyal, fair, and knew how to lead. Danny murdered your father and uncles out of pure lust for power," Leo tips my face toward him once more, "I am not like that, Dice."
I know he isn't. Leo is fair, and from what I've seen and heard, he leads wisely. My emotions are just up and down and I'm unfairly taking it out on him.
Stepping closer to the weathered stone, I run my fingers along the engraved words.
"To live the fullest, one must be willing to risk it all. To be fulfilled, one must have faith in what's before you."
I read the words aloud, letting the words soak into my heart and soul. I don't know what happens after we die, maybe there's something, maybe not, but I like to think my dad is watching me at this moment. I kiss the tips of my fingers and touch the grass below the marker.
"Hi, pop. Sorry we missed each other."
I smile at my words while tears drip to the grass before standing straight.
"You're right, Leo. You're not like that. I'm not ready to say I'm where you're at, but I want to be." I step closer to him and put my hands on his chest, curling my fingers into the warmth of his shirt as I stare into his eyes, "But I will walk away and never come back if you hurt me. ¿Me entiendes guapo?"Do you understand me, handsome?
I can see he wants to smile, but he keeps his face straight.
“The same goes for you, doll. I’ve only got three rules; never lie to me, never rat on me, and never cheat on me. I may not kill you if you break my rules,” Leo taps on my breastbone, indicating my heart, “but there are worse things than death.”
Though I see the truth in his eyes, and I feel the spike of fear run through my body at his threat, I know these are three things I can do easily. Why? Because those are the rules of the hood.
Don’t lie, cheat, or rat.
I grew up following that code.
I don't wait for him to kiss me like I normally do. Instead, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his lips to mine. Kissing Leo will never get old. His tongue against mine is more euphoric than any drug.
My blood pumps serotonin and I feel like I'm falling. I think I could kiss him all day, but I pull back reluctantly.
No need to give my father a show.
"Thank you for tonight. I felt like it was a dream I'd wake up from. I'm thankful I didn't cancel."
"The night isn't over, doll. Come, let's get you into the car where it's warm."
“I want to stay out longer, Leo. I do, but with that psycho still out there, I can’t risk my mother being a lone all night.”
Leo opens the car door and helps me in before smiling like a boy who was caught doing something bad.
My brows furrow while a smirk forms on my face, “What’s that look for?”
His dimples pop out as he chuckles and rubs the back of his neck, “Ah, well, you won’t have to worry about your mom. I have some guards there keeping an eye on the place for me, but you can always check the cameras.”
“Thewhat?”
He pulls out his phone and opens an app, the security footage on the screen shows my living room. My mother is watching her novellas with her back to the camera. Completely oblivious to eyes watching her.
“What the fuck, Leo? You can’t just put hidden cameras in someone’s apartment without their permission! Ever heard of the constitution, or you know, basic human rights?”
I’m practically yelling at him but I’m clicking through the other cameras to see which other rooms have hidden cameras. If there’s one inside the restroom I will cut him.
Lucky for him, however, I see nothing but outside views.
“I won’t apologize, Dice. You have more than one person on a list of suspects. Your safety is top priority to me. The camera is at an angle that captures entry points and nothing more. I can’t even see your bed because you have a curtain there. Unless you walk completely fucking naked, dragging your body against the wall and door, I won’t see shit I’m not supposed to see.”
I can’t deny that’s true. The only reason I can see my ma is because she has her hair in curlers and the top of her head is peeking up through the bottom of the frame.
