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Raquel empties her glass before speaking, "She was pregnant, but I didn't know it was Julian's. I had my suspicions, though. Like me, she kept it a secret. I saw her the day she left. She had just had the baby, a boy. I knew her from school, we weren't friends, but she was a nice girl. Her parents were nonexistent, but she had family in Mexico. I haven't seen her since."
I pass the photo to Dice and Raquel. It's of Manuel at his mother's funeral in Vegas. The cameraman captures Ibarra looking directly at the lens, anger written clearly in his features. The invasion of his last goodbye to his mother is fucking low.
Raquel sheds the tears she's been holding back, "Oh, Dios mío. Se parece a Julian. He looks just like his father."
Dice smiles, "He does. He's my half-brother. I wonder if he knows?"
I take her hand and kiss it before answering, "No, amor, he doesn't and I'm not sure it's wise to tell him. Not until all this trouble with the Reyes Familia is over with."
Dice tosses her head back with her brows furrowed, "Why not? Wouldn't you want to know if you had a sister somewhere?"
I feel my face harden, "Yes, I would, and then I'd take her from whoever had her so I could protect her myself. Your brother is no ordinary man, doll. He is Don for the Ibarra Cartel and he is known as the Ruthless King of Vegas. I'd hate to go to war with one of my allies because trust me, he will try to take you away from danger and I will fight him on it."
Dice’s eyes flare with lust at my words but I also see fire at my threat. Thankfully, she just nods. Good girl.
I mean it. I would not just go to war with the Vegas King, but I wouldn't hesitate to kill him if he tried to take my girl from me.
Dice is mine. Mine to have and mine to protect.
“Okay, but once things are safe, I’d like to speak to him. Maybe you can find a way to get in contact with him?” Dice’s voice is strong and sure.
It makes my chest fill with a barrage of different emotions; she trusts me to do that for her, to find her brother. It’s not that I’ve never had anyone trust me, my entire organization is built on my word and action, I have the trust of many, but having Dice trust me means everything. Now, I have to work on her mother’s trust.
“I promise.” I squeeze Dice’s hand before looking over to miss Garza, “I know that today was unexpected and the events have caused interruption to your life, and I apologize for that. But for the safety of you and Dice, I’d like for you both to stay here. My mother and sister are here as well, they will love the company while I’m working.”
Raquel nods but looks unsure, “I have work, Leo. I can’t afford to lose my job.”
I nod, “Trust me, Raquel. I’m not trying to keep either of you from your lives, I only want to keep you both safe from the man who already took from you once and tried to do so again.” I look down at my watch, noting the time, “I’ll speak to your boss, Ralph. He’ll give you as much time off as you need.”
Dice’s eyes sparkle with something akin to wonder and appreciation and it makes me want to do more, offer more, but I won’t jump ahead of myself. I’ve already declared my intentions to her and though she says she’s mine, I don’t want to push her too fast.
Raquel blows out a breath, “Okay, but I’m going to need something to do around here. I can’t do nothing for too long.”
“You can help my mother with Christmas shopping and decorations. As long as one of us,” I gesture between Brian, Hector, and myself, “is with you, I have no problem with you leaving the apartment.” Both women seem to brighten at that. I hate to make them stop living how they’re used to, but I can’t allow it for a while, not while Danny Reyes still is still breathing.
“Now, got any tequila? I’ve got novellas coming on in ten minutes,” Raquel asks with an arched brow which causes everyone to chuckle.
Yeah, I think they’ll be just fine here.
