Total pages in book: 767
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
“Lower than our stellar average,” Diego said, pulling back his shoulders. “We’ve delivered better results countless times, and in less than the twenty-one days they’ve given us.”
“And after that?”
“We make a more permanent arrangement,” Diego said. “With the rate they’re growing, their business could take us to the next level.”
“I’ve been at that level,” Dad said. “It’s dangerous up there.”
“But those who were once your competitors are now your customers. You’ve neutralized.” Diego stuck his hands in his pockets and glanced out one of the study’s wide windows. “We’ll use the income the Maldonado deal generates to expand.”
Papá grunted. “You didn’t say how much we have to move.”
“Two-hundred million in product in three weeks.”
My father straightened up. “That’s almost four times what we normally do.”
“The amount doesn’t matter as much as—”
Papá held up a hand for Diego to stop when he saw me leaning in the doorway. “Mija,” he called, removing his glasses and opening his arms. “Ven aquí.”
He shut his laptop as I went to him, then surrounded me in a strong, protective embrace.
Over his shoulder, I met Diego’s gaze. His face had been pinched, but it eased as his eyes cleared to emerald green. Neither video chatting nor photos did the color of them justice. “Welcome home,” he mouthed.
Home. It had been once, but I found no comfort in the word now. Diego schooled his expression for my dad, but I knew him well enough to read his happiness to see me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, reluctantly tearing my eyes from Diego to look up at Papá. “You were arguing.”
“Not at all. Don’t worry.” He kissed the top of my head, then turned to Diego. “Leave us.”
Diego didn’t flinch, though I knew the dismissal hurt. He yearned for my dad’s respect, but I could see age and experience had not fully earned him it. Yet. I didn’t doubt my father would one day see what I did, but I also knew it pained Diego that the approval he’d so desperately sought since his own father’s death continued to elude him.
I hoped during this trip I’d be able to open my dad’s eyes to who Diego really was—a sensitive, creative man who’d been trapped by circumstance. My father wanted me out of this life, and I wanted that too, but to Papá, Diego was this life. I had to show him the potential Diego had outside of it.
With a short bow and a brief, promising wink in my direction, Diego exited the room.
My father took my shoulders and held me at arm’s length. “Let me look at you. Qué bella. Turn for me.”
“Papá.” I blushed. “Please.”
“I don’t get to see you often enough and want to commit every visit to memory.”
“We were together at Christmas.”
“But that was in California, not here, where I watched you grow up. Indulge your old man.”
Rolling my eyes playfully, I turned in a circle. “All my limbs intact as previously reported,” I said. “Fingers and toes too.”
“Your hair has grown. Do they not have salons in Santa Clara?”
I smiled. “Of course, but long hair is always in style.”
“You’re taller too, no? You get that from me.”
I had taken after my father’s side of the family and was the tallest of my girlfriends at five-foot-seven. He was a sturdy six-foot-two, my grandpa even taller, which had suited his far more menacing temperament.
Father liked to tell the story of an eighteen-year-old girl named Bianca who’d flown down from northern Mexico “like a migrating butterfly.” She’d come for a cousin’s quinceañera and stayed for love, caught in my father’s net by the time dessert was served.
As romantic as it was, sometimes I wondered why she’d been stupid enough to trade a safe and happy life as a farmer’s daughter for this. It’d been foolish and risky, and it had gotten her killed. I wouldn’t share her fate, and neither would Diego.
I had to find a way to free him from the chains of the cartel so he could come to the States and start a life with me. I would convince my dad to let us go and live in peace rather than war, looking over the Pacific instead of over our shoulders.
Diego had been in my father’s grip too long, and I was the only one who could ask a favor like this.
Father sat back behind his desk. “Tonight, we celebrate. What’re your plans while home?”
“I thought maybe you, me, and Diego could have dinner tonight,” I said.
He picked up his folded glasses and tapped them against his temple. “I’ve already arranged a feast in your honor.”
“Tomorrow then, or sometime this week.”
“What for? I’d rather just the two of us,” he said. “Anyway, my annual party is Thursday night as you know. I’ll have my hands full with that, and so will Diego.” He frowned. “Why don’t you visit the stables? It’s been so long since you’ve ridden.”