Page 32 of Temptation: Discreet

“Hermana. Enzo,” he says, pulling himself back and looking between his friend and myself, “I’m glad you came.” He nods to Enzo, in a silent expression of gratitude.

As we walk inside the hospital room, vivid flashbacks come to me from the day I was torn away from mama’s lifeless body. The once joyful home, filled with love and laughter, now dimmed by the sight of my mama's blood covering the floor. An image I had once buried deep within my mind.

Father lies motionless on the bed, his face oddly peaceful, free of the worry lines on his face or the permanent frown I remember. He looks the way he did when I would sneak into their bed as a child. I remember that whenever I got scared at night I would sneak into bed with mama and him. He always remained as still as a board, snoring throughout the night while I cuddled myself close to him. He’d wake me gently in the morning, reminding me that I was a Dominguez and that I was made for greatness. Those comforting rituals ended the day she was killed.

I had tried to find comfort with him the night after, but when he woke up moments later, he awoke angry and nearly violent. I fled to Julian’s room that night and he’s watched over me every day since.

We stand there for what feels like hours, looking at my father with no sign of improvement. I cling onto his hand, praying he can hear me in some way. "I love you. I know why you did what you did and I forgive you. Just know that I’ll always love you, Papa," I say, tears streaming down my face as I grip his hand tightly. My brother watches our father, as if expecting him to wake or disappear at any moment. I’m not sure how this will turn out. All I know is that I shouldn’t be here. I can’t bear to see the man I hoped would one day love me wake up angry and blame me or never wake up at all.

I’m not sure which one I prefer and that is even more upsetting.

My brothers speak with each other in hushed tones, carefully hiding their plan like they always do.

Nothing will ever change.

I’ll always be on the sidelines, hidden and unacknowledged.

I’ll always be a secret and I’m not sure how long I can stay here and allow that. I should make sure that the Columbians pay for the attack on my father. I should run far away and never return. I should do a lot of things and for some reason my mind is clouded, unsure whether to confront them or flee far away. Marcelo clears his throat loud enough to get my attention.

“Hermana, we’ve been hiding so much from you that I’m not sure I know where to begin,” starts Julian suddenly speaks, his hand caressing the back of his neck.

“We didn’t want to worry you. This isn’t a fight you should be involved in,” adds Rafa, Marcelo clears his throat once more after a moment of us staring at one another.

“We took a vote. I've been against this from the beginning,” he continues. “But as you know, Columbia started a war with us long ago. Father has only made things worse by going after the children of Ricardo. Killing Eduardo’s siblings caused the death of our mother. They may have attacked him tonight as a retaliation for having cut off the border and making a deal with the Italians. But they’ve been hitting our territories way before that. It’s really been back and forth for a while now and now there's the subject of guns.They are getting weapons from the Russians in exchange for cocaine. With father the way he is, we need to prepare that they may come for us before you marry one of the Italians.”

I nod, trying to take in everything he’s been saying.

Julian clears his throatand continues, “We brought Enzo onto the team because the Columbians have been stalking you. We believe that they will attempt to sell you the moment you marry Eduardo. They’ve even threatened your life, despite having Enzo by your side. They know this would devastate us, Hermana.”

I turn my attention to Enzo. His face doesn’t show any emotion and his eyes lack the familiar spark I’ve grown accustomed to. Why didn’t he tell me? Is he merely toying with me to be entertained while fulfilling his paid duty to observe me? He doesn’t look at my direction, even if he can feel the daggers I’m mentally stabbing him with. His eyes remain fixed on Julian as if he hadn’t anticipated this revelation.

“Lina, we did what we had to. Perdoname,” Rafa whispers.

I no longer want to deal with this conversation. I stand up and walk towards the door of the hospital room. Pausing briefly, I half hoped Enzo might follow and comfort me, but it comes as no surprise when he doesn’t. Whatever thing between us was, he is only my guard. Instead, Rocco and a few of his men follow me to the bathroom and back out to the waiting area.

As I wait to go home, I decide to handle this situation my own way. It’s time to show them who they are messing with. I’ll help end this war, even if it means accepting a proposal to gain access to the enemy.

They’ll regret not involving me sooner, especially when it was my life being threatened.

Chapter 25

If looks could kill I would be 12 feet under, I hid all the threats from her to protect her, not just because her family wanted to keep her in the dark. They’ve been trying to find a solution that doesn't involve a marriage, but it’s looking like a lost cause. No one wants to get involved in a fight that doesn’t directly affect them. Which means we either lose our lives fighting in a war or disappear from this life with new identities. Neither of which will go over well with the stubbornness that fills Catalina Dominguez.

She’s a force to be reckoned with, like a tornado that will destroy and create its own deadly path, if she only got out of her own head. We haven’t established clear boundaries. She’s assuming that we’ll just remain in a purgatory of our own making, walking along the lines of being professional and lovers.

I’ve told her she’s mine and meant it, but there are times she looks at me like she’s questioning the seriousness of my obsession for her. She’s embedded herself in my blood, my heart and every bit of my mind. I don’t think I realized just how obsessed I’ve been, I don’t think I realized just how much I love her, if you can even call it that. It’s an all consuming obsession that feeds the darkest parts of my soul. She’s been there since the moment I saw her, a light that calms my demons. I know I’m not worthy of her, but I’d start a war for her if it ensures her happiness.

“So, what’s the plan? Wait here until your father recovers? Then what? Go into hiding? Marry Lina off to the Italians? Surely you don’t expect her to hide away for the rest of her life, as she’s practically been doing already?” I scoff annoyingly.

“We are hoping it doesn’t come to that. We know the Italians will happen, but we can also try to change the proposal, perhaps one of us could marry his sister instead. It’s the only other option we have for now, so until then she stays with you and your best men.” Julian says.

“You know she won’t hide, she’s fucking stubborn,” Rafa shakes his head, moving his arm around the edge of the chair, getting himself comfortable where he sits.

My heart aches to see Catalina, to speak to her and comfort her through this war in every way that I can. But I can’t risk causing more trouble for her, not now. I can’t jeopardize her safety by having her leave with me. I think about taking her far away for far too long but she’d never forgive me, she certainly isn’t one to back down from a fight.

“You should take her home. We’ll call in case anything happens. She really shouldn’t be around here if he wakes up. He’ll only break her heart more.” I nod at Julian’s words because I know he’s right. Kai and I walk towards where Catalina stands waiting for us tapping her heels, out of impatience I would presume. I don’t allow my annoyance of the situation to show. We’ll figure this out.

We just have to.

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