Sweet Collateral

“I don’t like him.”

Rafael tosses his head back on a laugh. “Yeah, he can be a prick.”

“He bought me.” I fold my arms over my chest. “He’s more than a prick.”

Rafe grins. “He did buy you to give to Una.” I glare at him. “Sometimes it’s easier to buy something than take it by force. Dominges isn’t the easiest to deal with.”

“Are you defending Nero Verdi right now?”

He pulls his shirt off and reaches for a new one hanging on the rack. “Definitely not.” He shrugs the material over his shoulders, fastening the little buttons, though his large hands make the task look like an ordeal. I step forward and swat him out of the way, doing them one by one. I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t look up. “Anna.”

“Yeah?” I still don’t look at him.

“Are you okay?” Such a loaded question with no straight answer. Instead of divulging the mess that is my head, I paint a smile on my lips.

“I’m fine.”

He places one finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him the same way he always does. There’s no escaping Rafael—he won’t allow it. He forces me to face everything head on, just like he does.

“Don’t lie to me.”

I inhale a steadying breath. “I’m trying. Just promise me that you won’t force me to go with my sister.”

He studies my face for a second, jaw ticking beneath the dark stubble. “What makes you think I would let that happen?”

“She said she would come for me.”

His thumb drags over the corner of my lip. “You’re mine, little warrior. Una can’t change that.” I offer him a shaky nod, and he presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m going to handle this business in Juarez. I’m leaving Lucas and two of my other guys. The rest of my men will be on the perimeter and the house.”

I roll my eyes. “I do not need three babysitters, Rafe.”

He smirks and steps back, shoving his jeans down his legs. “I want you to have three guards.” He takes a pair of dress pants and tugs them on.

“It’s unnecessary. They’ll be bored. They’ll hate me.”

All trace of humor washes from his face, one eyebrow arching high. “They’ll do whatever the fuck I tell them to do.” He slides a hand around the back of my neck. “They should think themselves honored that I would trust them to protect you when I can’t.”

“Oh my god. You’re ridiculous.”

He tugs me closer and presses his lips into my hair. “Only for you.” I press my face into the crook of his throat, inhaling the cigar smoke and citrus scent that seems to permanently cling to his skin. “I have to go, avecita.”

I don’t know why, but my stomach tightens at the idea of him leaving. It’s stupid. I don’t need to be with him at all times, but for some reason, a feeling has settled into my gut, like something bad is going to happen. I can’t explain it. It’s probably just from before—when he left, and those guys broke in. It’s not like he hasn’t left to go and handle business plenty of other times. Just not since we’ve been at this house.

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” I step out of his embrace, and he turns away, leaving the closet. I tug the towel tighter around my body, forcing away that feeling of impending doom. It’s in my head. I’ve become too dependent on him. I was once so strong and unbreakable, and now… he’s made me so fragile. The life I’ve lived, it makes you untouchable, but Rafael could destroy me because I’ve placed my trust in him. No other man can say the same. He holds my heart in his hands like a tiny little ember that he continues to nurture, shielding it from the wind until it becomes a tiny flame. But all he has to do is close his fist, and it’ll be snuffed out so easily.

I skirt the edge of the gardens, walking out into the eucalyptus grove. The sun dances between the leaves of the trees, and I pick one, crushing it between my fingers until the fragrant scent of the sap wafts around me.

I know Lucas is out here somewhere, as well as the two unknown guards I expect. That uneasy feeling hasn’t dissipated, and I find myself glancing over my shoulder every two seconds, suspicious of everything. It’s just because Rafael’s gone. When he’s around, I truly feel as though nothing and no one could touch me. I’m not sure anyone would dare, but the last time he left... I feel like a favored lamb left unguarded by her lion, and now the wolves are just waiting to take a bite. I know it’s ridiculous. Rafael said that this house is like a hilltop fortress. No one would attack here, and unlike last time, he left his best men here.