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“Already on it.” He finishes his coffee and gives Cadence a nod. “See you around.”
“Nice to meet you,” she calls at his retreating back. “He seems nice.” She turns to me.
He’s not nice. He’s like me, never afraid to get his hands dirty and do what needs to be done. But he’s loyal. And he’d never try to make a move on my girl, so why do I still have the urge to follow him out, challenge him, and kick his teeth in? I shake it off.
“Catarino’s a good man. Ride or die. You can trust him.” It’s the truth, but I say it somewhat grudgingly. I want to be the only man she trusts.
“This looks amazing.” She licks her lips as Mrs. Palacios pours her a cup of coffee.
Reaching over, I add in a hefty bit of creamer, then sugar.
“Wow, a girl could get used to this. It’s just the way I like it.” She takes a sip. “How’d you know?”
I shrug. “Lucky guess.”
Her eyes narrow. “I don’t think so.”
Sometimes I wonder if she knows far more about me than she lets on. It’s something in the way she looks at me, at the way she always seems to see right through me if I’m not being completely forthcoming. Even so, I think I still managed to surprise her. Hell, she’s surprisedme. I thought I was running a con on her, but I’m the one who’s gotten caught up, my thoughts constantly drawn to her.
“Eat up before all the syrup soaks in too deep,” Mrs. Palacios urges.
“Yes, ma’am.” Cadence digs in, and I watch, getting an odd satisfaction from watching her. I want her to feel sated, to want for nothing.
But there’s a shadow in my mind, one I need to investigate. If the Caesars are after her, she’s in danger, far more than I ever suspected.
I won’t let them touch her, not now, not ever. Cadence is mine to protect–whether it be from the Caesars or her own meddling father.
16
CADENCE
Vargas sits with me while I eat my breakfast. Every time I lick the whipped cream from my lips, his eyes drop to them. I love the way he openly stares at me. I have to fight not to wiggle in my seat. All I can think about are the things he did to me with his mouth last night. I was hoping for more when I woke up this morning. Too bad he hadn’t been there.
It’s Monday, and Vargas' side of the bed had been cold by the time I pulled myself from it. I shouldn’t have been so disappointed to be in his bed alone. He’s a busy man. My father was always the same. It didn’t matter what day of the week it was, he would be working.
His whole demeanor changed the second he spotted me. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know he’s hiding something. I could tell there was a tense conversation going on when I entered the room. I would love to ask more questions, but I’m currently lost in the heaven Mrs. Palacios whipped up for breakfast. She keeps this up and I’m never gonna leave. If only. I’m worried that I might have already stayed longer than I should have.
As I steal peeks over at Vargas while eating my breakfast, I wonder if that’s how he’ll always be. A man that’s never in bed when you wake the next day. I love my dad, but he was rather absent while I was growing up. I would never want the same for my own family. It was a vow I made to myself long ago. But I don’t think Vargas is a man that has plans for a family. He doesn’t seem like the type. I can’t help the disappointment that fills me at that thought.
“So.” I lick my lips. “You have work to do?”
“Some.” Sassy jumps up into his lap.
“Sorry.” I get up to move her so she doesn’t get hair all over his dark slacks, but he starts to pet her. And she wastes no time sucking up his attention.
“She’s fine.”
“Look who finally joined us.” Mrs. Palacios appears out of nowhere with a small bowl of whipped cream for Sassy. Her favorite. Which makes it even more crazy that she went to Vargas instead of trying to con me out of mine. She’s really taken to him. Vargas takes the cup from Mrs. Palacios to offer it to Sassy. He lets her eat right in his lap. This man is going to make me fall in love with him if I’m not careful. I mean, he’s already got Sassy under his spell.
“Thank you,” I tell Mrs. Palacios. She gives me a warm smile before she’s off again. “Have you heard anything about my apartment?” I try to get some information out of Vargas while he is distracted with Sassy.
“No.”
My fork pauses almost to my mouth at his lie. “Really?”
“The locks have been replaced.”
“Thank you for doing that for me. I can pay the bill if you just send it to me.”
