Page 49 of Vicious Little Liar
“I will protect you.” The DeAnde Cartel is powerful. Well-connected. I’ve spent these past five years fortifying my family’s businesses and strengthening our men. I can take whatever Castro throws at me, and my men are dependable. They will lay down their lives to protect her.
“You can’t. Not twenty-four-seven. One day, we’d slip up. You can’t be on alert forever.”
Yes, I can. “If it means keeping you safe—“
“You’d be putting me in a cage,” she whispers. “The very thing you just vowed not to do.”
I grimace. There is a solution to this. I just haven’t thought of it yet.
Looking at her on the bed, she looks so fragile and alone. She’s pulled her knees to her chest and has her arms wrapped around them.
“If he wasn’t a problem, what path would you choose?”
Leticia huffs out a breath. “This isn’t thewhat ifgame, Andrés.”
“Pretend that it is. If Ruben isn’t a factor, do you choose me? Will you stand at my side?”
Her hesitation is brief before she nods.
Relief sweeps through me.
“Then I’ll handle it.”
Disbelief flickers across her face. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” I answer her honestly. “But if you’re in this with me, I will find a way. No matter the cost.”
She bites her lip.
“I need you to be all in with me, Leti.”
“Okay,” she whispers, a look of determination stealing over her face. “I’m in. No matter the cost.”
