Page 50 of Disciplined: His Forbidden Crush

Summer’s chest ached. Those words were exactly what he’d expected. Nothing here would be different than it had always been.

“Yes, Papá,” he managed to choke out, hating the way his voice cracked under the strain. His thoughts swirled with a dizzying mix of guilt, regret, and an overwhelming desire to be anywhere but here—preferably in the arms of the man he’d left behind. But Rafael was off-limits now, perhaps forever, and that thought stung more than any rebuke from Garcia ever could.

Summer braced himself for whatever came next, trying to remind himself that this was the life he’d been born into. It had always been his destiny.

At a prompting look from Raul, Summer took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for running away,” he said, squaring his shoulders and fixing his gaze on the wall above his father’s shoulder. He couldn’t bring himself to meet his father’s eyes, knowing that if he did, he might not be able to speak at all. “I should never have worried you.”

“Will you behave now?” Garcia demanded, his tone firm but not cruel. Summer hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on him. In agreeing to behave, he was choosing duty over freedom, obligation over love. The thought of losing Rafael forever tore at him, leaving him breathless with despair.

But the decision had already been made. “Yes, Papá,” Summer said huskily, the words like ashes in his mouth.

“Good,” Garcia said, his expression clearing. His moods had always been easily swift to turn, and now it seemed his anger was done. “Come here.”

Summer went to him and was embraced. His father smelled of the same expensive cologne he’d worn since Summer was a child. It was home. It made his heart ache.

“Bienvenido a casa,” his father said, kissing Summer’s cheek. “Don’t try this shit again.” He released Summer and smacked him firmly on the shoulder, smiling thinly. “Now, let’s discuss your future in the cartel.”

Summer braced himself for whatever came next. He knew this world. This was home. It feels more like a prison than it ever did when Rafael kept me locked up. But he couldn’t think of Rafael now. The hurt was too raw.

“You will not tolerate any disrespect from the men,” his father said. “If they speak ill of you, I will crush them mercilessly, understand?”

Summer swallowed hard, nodding obediently even as he wanted to grind his teeth.

“Your role in the cartel is crucial, Summer,” Garcia continued, his voice grave. “You are my son, and I have high expectations for you. Do not disappoint me.”

As his father laid out his plans, Summer struggled to keep his composure. How could he take on such a burden when his heart was broken? “Understood, Papá,” Summer said quietly, clenching his fists at his sides. He had to accept his fate and do what was expected of him.

“Good,” Garcia said with a nod. “Now, you may go and rest. You will need to prepare yourself for your new responsibilities. And your brother has some revelry in mind for you, I think,” Garcia added with an indulgent smile.

Raul laughed and ushered Summer out of the room. “Come on, hermanito.” He clapped a hand onto Summer’s shoulder, attempting to lift his spirits. “I’ve got something planned for tonight. You’re going to love it.”

Summer looked up at his brother, confused.

Raul went on in a teasing tone. “I know you love to dance, so I’ve hired a band. All the cumbia, vallenato, and salsa your heart desires—you’ll be dancing all night long.”

The smile on Raul’s face was infectious, and though Summer didn’t share his enthusiasm, he listened as Raul went on.

“And the food! You must have missed it while you were gone. I’ve ordered catering—lechona, buñelos, natilla—all your favorites. And I know you don’t like aguardiente, so there’s going to be cocktails for you.“ Raul wiggled his eyebrows playfully before adding, “Oh, and did I mention there will be beautiful women? Of course there will. Perhaps someone will help you take your mind off things.”

“Sounds...great,” Summer numbly agreed, trying to force a smile to appease his brother. Beautiful women…well, he did like women, if not in the way his brother hoped.

Raul studied Summer’s face, seeing through the façade. He pulled Summer into a tight embrace, the warmth of his arms offering a momentary comfort.

“Listen, Verano,” Raul murmured into his brother’s hair, “I know things seem bleak right now, but trust me, they’ll get better. In time, you’ll be glad you came back home to your family. I’ll help you find your footing again.”

“Gracias, Raul.” Summer leaned into the hug, allowing himself to be momentarily comforted. But deep down, he knew this party would only make it clear how far he was from where he wanted to be.

Raul smiled and left him outside his room. Summer went in, closed the door, and leaned against it. He let out a shuddering breath. The weight of his predicament pressed down on him like the ocean; the walls of his childhood bedroom seemed to close in, suffocating him. He dragged himself to the bed, collapsing onto it with a pained groan.

“Oh God,” he whispered into the pillow, blinking back the tears threatening to leak out of him. Despair clawed at him, making the room feel emptier and more alien than ever before. In his mind’s eye, he saw flashes of his time in L.A.—the freedom he had tasted, the life he had built for himself, and the brief time with Rafael.

His heart ached with the memory of their last night together. Vividly, he remembered how Rafael’s hands had roamed over his body, firm yet tender, staking claim to every inch of his skin. The way Rafael had handled him, rendering him helpless only to worship him with an almost reverent intensity. It had been more than just sex that night; Rafael had made love to him, leaving no doubt in Summer’s mind that something deeper had taken root between them.

And after…

“Te amo,” Rafael had whispered against Summer’s skin, his voice hoarse with emotion. Those words echoed in Summer’s head, haunting him, taunting him.

“Rafael...” Summer sobbed quietly, wishing he could lose himself in Rafael’s arms once again. “Damn you, Rafael. Why did you have to mean it? Why did you have to love me back?”

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