Page 3 of Cartel Cobra

It’s a sign of good faith on both parts.Papá’strusting Domingo with me, and Domingo gets a senior position in return. We’re getting a rival to bend the knee by making the heir a glorified employee. All the while, I’m doing my best not to resent everyone around me. My brothers basically live in the States now, even though they go back and forth between here and there all the fucking time. My sister’s with a man who adores her and who she adores. And I’m…

Well, I’m stuck trying not to stare at the hottest but now most unappealing man I’ve ever seen. Regardless of him and how he keeps drawing my attention, I’m trying not to wish I was single and ready to mingle. Not that I think Esteban would be any more interested in me sexually now than I thought he was ten minutes ago. He only approached me because of my last name. But at least I could look without feeling guilty because of Domingo and mytío.

Domingo’s not a bad guy, and I’m fond of him. I enjoy spending time with him, and we have fun together. He’s not bad in bed either, so it’s not like I’m doomed to fuck a troll for the rest of my life or have a sexless marriage. I just don’t love him. We’re arguing more because of the impending wedding.

“If you keep looking at the guy, Santi will tellpapá.” Catalina’s barely speaking louder than a whisper, but it echoes in my ears.

“I could’ve sworn he was watching me earlier. I don’t know why beyond he must know who I am, or he knows who Domingo is.” I can’t admit to my sister that I spoke to him.

“Yeah, well, he keeps looking at you, too. Don’t encourage him.”

“He was looking first.”

“You can look last. Santi’s already noticed.”

My sister’s right. I know my guard sees everything I do because he’s positioned to see everything around me. He’s supposedly reading his book, but he’s one of the two most situationally aware men who work for our dad. Cisco is the other guy, and he’s Catalina’s guard. They’ve watched out for us since we were young teens. Santi might die for me, but he’s loyal to our dad before anyone else.

“Fine. What time doesmamáwant us to come over?”

Neither of us lives at home. Catalina doesn’t officially live with Matáis, but basically she does. He’s over at her place mostnights, and when he isn’t, he’s sneaking her into his. Good Catholics that we are, neither she nor I would ever live with a man we aren’t married to. Everyone turns a blind eye because it would be pointless to pretend they aren’t still doing it like rabbits. They’re discreet in front of our families, but they’re always touching each other, even if it’s just the back of their hands brushing against each other.

“Six. Dinner’s at seven-thirty.”

That’s half an hour earlier than usual. Our mom hasn’t explained why she wants us to arrive early, but she does. I suspect she wants Catalina and me to help her in the kitchen. Everyone in my family—men and women—are excellent cooks.Mamáandpapámade sure of that, but my parents also have an entire household staff. They only cook when they want to, and it’s rare on nights when we’re going to have anyone outside the immediate family. They already consider Matáis family, but Domingo isn’t.

That’s why it makes little sense to me. Their chef would normally be front and center for appearance’s sake. On nights when their chef prepares dinner, my siblings and I don’t have to show up until it’s nearly time to eat. We can even show up fashionably late as long as it’s before everyone moves into the dining room. That’s how it is for every Sunday dinner.

If Catalina and I are helping our mom, it usually means one or both of us are in trouble. If we’re up to our elbows in making a sauce, we can’t run away.

“What did you do?”

We ask each other the same question, which makes us laugh.

“I figured it was you. Matáis’s hand was awfully close to your ass when we left church this morning.”

My sister frowns and darts her gaze around before she responds. “Ana, I think it’s because Domingo complained topapáthat you won’t set the date. I thinkmamá’sgoing to warn us thatpapá’sannouncing something tonight.”

“He’d back me into a corner in front of Domingo?”

“In front of his parents.”

“They’re going to be there, too?” I didn’t know that.

“Yeah. I think preparing the larger dishes will be her excuse for wanting our help.”

Fuck my life.

“Like I said, Domingo and I nearly got into it right before you arrived. He definitely left pissed off. He was pushing for a date, too.”

“You can’t keep putting it off.”

“Easy for you to say.” I know I sound pissy.

When I shift my gaze from my sister, I find myself looking at Esteban again. I’ve been aware of him since the moment I spotted him, and I’m super alert now that he cornered me. He’s watching me again when our gazes meet. It’s not the second time, but at least the tenth since I sat back down. I haven’t let my focus linger on him for more than the time it takes to shift past him, but I know he knows I’m aware of him. The more I think about an impending wedding, the more Esteban distracts me.

“I know you don’t love him, but you really like him. You’ve said you care about him. Maybe you’ll love him with time.”

“Maybe, but I’ll never beinlove with him, even if I can grow to love him.”

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