Page 52 of Obsession & Oath

“The Prince’s Guild has kept my son away from me for a long time. Do not imagine I wouldn’t take a little personal gratification in adding to their torment.” Her smile is paradoxically feral on her otherwise composed visage.

Fuck, I’m really starting to like this woman.

But as I think about her offer, that same gut-wrenching sadness that has lingered since Rocco arrived, since I found out just how long I might be staying here, prickles in the corner of my eyes.

“I appreciate the offer,” I say as evenly as I can. “But I don’t think that would be in the best interests of the Cartel.”

Evelina frowns at this, clearly turning my words over in her head. “But what of the best interests of Amos Rubio?”

“I think you will find them to be the same.”

I have Dante’s dictionary to thank for my ability to identify the curse that leaves the woman’s mouth. “I do not understand. Are you saying he does not care for your return?”

Of course, she wouldn’t. This is a mother who has pined for her lost son every second he was away from her. Envy coils around my sadness like an insidious snake.

“I am an asset that belongs to the Cartel. My father knows I am alive. That’s enough.”

“There is a large distance between being alive and actuallyliving,” Evelina growls. “I fear your father only cares for one of these things.”

I look away, suddenly unable to keep my eyes from shedding the tears I’ve been holding back. For how long now? I’m not entirely sure.

“Oh,la miaprincipessa.”

I barely have time to register the movement before a pair of firm arms cradle me against her chest. The gesture is so painfully familiar that the tears only increase. Every wall I’ve built, every stubborn stone of resilience crumbles in a mother's embrace.

“You are more than an asset.”

A mortifying sob wrenches its way from my lips, and I have to violently shake my head. “I am loyal to the Cartel. I am. I will do what needs to be done. I will do it willingly.”

“What is it that you believe must be done, eh?” Evelina strokes a hand through my hair.

“I will marry my father’s ally. I will bear him sons. I will remain pure for him as a token of our respect.”

Her fingers hesitate a moment before they continue. “And after you have done this, how does the Cartel repay Carmen Rubio for her sacrifice?”

“It is an honor, not a sacrifice.” The words aren’t my own, and we both know it.

Evelina simply continues to card her hands through my hair. The moment stretches into a comfortable silence as I slowly regain my composure.

I finally pull away, patting the dampness from my cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

“Do not apologize to me.”

“Perhaps I could use my favor and ask you not to tell anyone about this.” Please don’t tell Dante about this.

Evelina tutted disapprovingly. “This requires no favor. It would be myhonor,Carmen.”

Her words stun me to silence.

“You see the difference, no?” She pushes anyway. “You are a strong, intelligent, beautiful woman. There are many things that you deserve if only you would allow yourself to have them.”

Something sharp prickles beneath my ribcage.

No one has ever said anything like that to me before. Not my father, not his men, not even myself.

My worth has always been measured in loyalty, in obedience, in what I could offer to the Cartel. I was my father’s daughter before I was anything else. A pawn. A bargaining chip. A name that carried weight but never choice.

But Evelina looks at me differently. Not as a prisoner, not as a problem to be solved, but as someone whomatters.Someone who deserves more than being handed off to a stranger like a prize to be won.

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