Page 129 of Dark Alliance
I wipe a tear from the corner of my eye. “I believe Rosalva and Eduardo are finally together again, where they’re free to live out the rest of their love story, and that’s a cause for celebration. Please, join us at Cipresso Cimitero as we lay him to his final rest. Thank you.”
Connor
On the way to Cat’s car from the cemetery, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and glance down.
Declan.
I flash the screen to Cat.
She shrugs. “Now or never.”
Fuck, she’s right.
I open the back door of her Cayenne, and she scoots in.
Danny’s at the wheel, having returned for Cat after dropping Charles Mori off at the ER.
He’ll continue his role as her driver, and anything I say to my father will remain inside this vehicle. Cat’s assured me more than once of this man’s loyalty, and I’ve witnessed his devotion firsthand. Danny never once abandoned Team Cat, not even when his position required him to stare death in the eye.
I climb in beside her, shut the door, answer the call, and put it on speaker.
“Hi, Dad.”
“There’s a plane, gassed up and ready to leave out of Brown-Stetson Airfield in an hour. Be on it.”
Per usual, no“hello”or“how are you?”
That’s Declan for you.
Cat attempts to mask her shock. Now that she’s top dog, we’ll need to work on her facial expressions. I prefer her to remain an open book for me, but in delicate and dangerous negotiations, she’ll need a poker face.
Declan really pulled out all the stops to get me home. News travels faster than the speed of light in our world, as if we’re run by a pack of hormonal teenage girls.
So, my father knows Belinski kidnapped and tortured me. I’m sure he also learned that Brody and Finn saved my ass and that Cat’s the new head of the Ricci family. No mention of the diamond this time.
Interesting.
Cat presses the mute button on my phone.
“Connor. I love you.” She holds my gaze. “Don’t go. Please stay.”
Son of a bitch.
Despite my sore cheek, my broken nose, and my bruised eyes, I’m all teeth as a grin stretches from ear to ear. “Love you too.”
She cracks a wry smile, and I even catch Danny sneaking a glimpse of us in the rearview. He nods his approval. With both her father and brother gone, he’s the closest thing she has to family, so I appreciate the support.
“Stay. I want you…no, I need you…in my life. Please stay.” She caresses my hand, her fingers gentle on my callouses.
“Connor, are you there?” Declan’s impatient demand emits from the speaker.
I continue ignoring him as I stroke Cat’s cheek and kiss her softly.
“Son, have I lost you?”
I pull away from her lips to unmute the phone. “Yes, Dad, I believe you have.”
Then I hit mute again and get back to the important stuff.
