“Yeah, you should do better,” I reply with a smirk. Then, standing abruptly, I roughly push back my chair. “I’m out of here.”
I start toward the door without another word. I’ve almost reached the door when Don Pablo’s voice stops me.
“Drago?”
I turn my body halfway. “Yeah, Don? Ready to make a confession?” I taunt.
“Watch your back,” Don Pablo says coldly. It almost sounds like a warning. But knowing Don Pablo, it’s probably a threat.
“I always do,” I reply and walk out the door.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Abby
I close the door quietly behind me, wondering why the whole house is bathed in eerie darkness. My heart starts to race nervously in my chest. Something isn’t right.
I ruffle through my handbag for my phone. Clutching the device in my hands, I fumble around for the light switch. I let out a deep breath of relief when my fingers come in contact with it. I flip the switch, and the whole house is flooded with light. I gasp in surprise at the sight that greets my eyes.
Carlos is seated at the dining table, looking incredibly handsome in a black tux. His black hair is fashionably styled in a way that emphasizes the sharp angles of his face. Different covered meal platters, a bottle of expensive-looking wine, and two wine glasses sit on the table.
Carlos rises to his feet and beckons me with a sweet smile. “Please, come sit, Abby.”
“What’s going on?” I ask with a surprised laugh, walking toward the dining area. “You look... I don’t understand.”
Carlos pulls out a chair for me beside his and waits for me to sit. “I wanted to treat you to a nice dinner, but I can’t be seen out in public yet.”
My heart flutters at his words. Butterflies start to float about in my stomach, flapping their wings to the unsteady tune of my heartbeat. “You should have told me. I would have at least dressed nice.”
“You always look beautiful to me,” he says, smiling into my eyes. “Every damn time.”
I lower my eyes, biting my lower lip shyly. If I had any doubts about being with Carlos Rodriguez, they all vanish at this moment.
I’m in love with him, and that’s a truth that I can no longer argue. He’s made me feel beautiful in every way. Beautiful and worthy of being cherished. It’s more than any man has ever made me feel.
“Thank you,” I say simply, hoping he knows I’m thanking him for more than just the compliment and this romantic dinner.
Carlos picks up the wine bottle, opens it, and pours a small portion into each wineglass. He hands one over to me and picks up the other for himself. “Cheers!” he says, raising his wine glass.
“To a romantic gangster,” I say, clinking my wine glass with his.
Carlos chuckles and tips the glass to his lips. I watch his sexy throat muscles work as he swallows. I lower my gaze before my thoughts take an even wilder turn.
“Let’s eat,” Carlos says.
He leans forward and uncovers the dish in front of me. I gasp softly at the artfully arranged spaghetti, sauce, and meatballs.
“This is...beautiful,” I say. “Did Sarah make this?”
“I did,” Carlos says with a wide smile. “Have a taste.”
I fork a small portion of spaghetti into my mouth and close my eyes to savor the heavenly taste. “This is delicious,” I moan. “You really made this?”
“Yes, I did,” Carlos replies. “Enjoy, my lady.”
We talk about random things while we eat. Carlos laughs at every one of my jokes and tells me funny stories. But the ease with which we converse slowly changes as I sense an urgency in Carlos’s voice. I wish I knew what was going through his mind.
“How was the hospital visit?” Carlos asks after a minute of silence. “I hope your mother is doing well?”
I nod gently and allow my lips to crease into a smile. “She’s doing really great. And it’s all thanks to you…You know Beth told me about the flowers. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Abby,” Carlos says and leans forward. “I should thank you instead. Over these past few weeks, you have healed me physically and emotionally. You have touched a place so deep inside of me that I never knew existed. You have made me realize that I’ve been living as a shadow of myself. You’ve changed me in so many ways, and you don’t even know the half of it. I’m still in the middle of a war, but I just want to wrap everything up and be the right man for you. I’ve told myself countless times to wait, but I want you for myself too much. You’re all I can think about in my every waking moment. Abby. I want you to be mine.”
“Carlos?” I say, overwhelmed with an indescribable emotion. I’m freaking out on the inside. Does he mean what I think he means? “What are you saying?*