Page 97 of Cartel Devil

I’m relieved Tre wasn’t there to witness it like I did when my father was murdered. It was bad enough being almost eleven when it happened. I can’t imagine what it would’ve done to Tre to witness something like that when she was even younger than me. I know what it did to Jorge, who was the same age as Tre when Papá died.

Tommaso inhales before looking at Santi. The man dips his chin before Tommaso looks back at me. Frank’s still lost in a memory.

“Francesco threatened to kidnap Tricia and sell her to a bratva in Moscow. I do not doubt he would. He swears it would force the New York bratva to intervene since they’d never ignore sex trafficking, and it would be his opportunity for revenge against them since they supported the Camorra and ’Ndrangheta during the recent turf war. He thought it would bend them into submission. The man is utterly unhinged and doesn’t understand the influence and reach the Kutsenkos have back in Moscow even though they almost never visit their homeland. He not only wants information, but he also demanded weapons and money. I believe he’s testing me to see whether or not I will go to Salvatore. I haven’t. I will if this continues and anyone targets Tricia again. I know Salvatore’s coming to see you, and I’ll be at that sit-down, but it’s very different that you initiated it rather than if I had.”

I exhale as I digest what I’ve heard. My mind’s going in all different directions as I consider what this means.

The men head out to whatever it is they’re going to do. I join Tre on the patio. Unlike me, she can let me see what she’s doing on her computer. I’m constantly impressed by her work ethic and her projects while she recovers.

We sit in companionable silence until lunchtime. Neither of us are much for having breakfast—anything but crackers and apple juice before about eleven still makes Tre turn green, so we enjoy lunch which I cook for her. It’s not until we slip into bed that night that she finally asks me about the meeting with her father and uncles. I’m hesitant to reveal the part about Francesco threatening to kidnap her.

“Joaco, I know there’s more to this than what you’ve said. I wasn’t listening to this conversation, but I’ve heard others. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect Francesco threatened to snatch me. I doubt it would be for a ransom. I think he’d sell me to someone.”

It startles me that she’s so close to the truth. I don’t want to acknowledge whether she’s right or wrong. Instead, I pull her against my chest.

“Chiquita, you won’t be out of arm’s reach, so nothing like that can happen.”

I tip her chin up and press a soft kiss to her lips before we rub our noses together. She shifts and straddles me. At first, we simply watch each other. I wonder if she wants to continue the conversation when she takes me inside her but doesn’t move.

“I’m scared, Daddy. I’m scared for our baby, for you, for our families, and for me. I feel as safe as I can when we go out with all the guards, but it still makes me nervous. I feel trapped by not knowing. When you’re not near me, I’m in a state of near panic. The only time I relax is when I’m with you. I’m scared about what this level of stress is doing to the baby. What if I’m hurting them?”

I sit up, and she shifts to stretch her legs. I tuck her hair behind her ears before cupping her jaw.

“I’m terrified, Tre. For you and the baby. That something might happen to me, and I won’t be here to protect you. That this is about me, and that if something happens to the baby or your family, you’ll never forgive me. I’d understand if you didn’t, even if it’d tear me apart. I don’t know that I can live without you if something happens to you.”

“If something happened to you, I’d only live for our child.”

I peer into her luminescent green eyes, and I pray she sees in mine what I see in hers. I press my lips against hers, pouring all my feelings into this kiss. I feel it in return from her. We wrap our arms around each other and cling to each other. When we’re breathless, we pull apart and rest our foreheads together while we stroke up and down each other’s back.

“I love you, chiquita.”

“I love you, Daddy.”

We speak at the same time. If we’d used our names, there would’ve been an earnestness to it. I would’ve reveled in it. But the terms of affection are so deeply intimate between us that I feel her love all the way to my soul.

“Tre, I won’t rush you or pressure you, but I’m marrying you. Soon.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Tre

I didn’t know pregnancy cravings could start this early, but I’ve been longing for a Boston cream pie. After much coaxing, I convinced Joaquin to take me to one of the local bakeries known for the pie. He’d offered to send one of his guys out to get me an entire truck full, but I was going stir-crazy only leaving the house for walks through my parents neighborhood after Joaquin’s conversation with my dad and uncles. He took pity on me since I was ready to climb the walls.

I don’t know if my taste buds have changed already, but it was monumentally disappointing. However, it might very well be because I’m used to Sera’s, and very few could live up to such a high bar.

It was a nice morning out, so I don’t dare complain, since it was against Joaquin’s better judgment. Salvatore’s due to arrive this afternoon. Joaquin’s worried someone will get wind of that and try to intervene—and not necessarily by targeting Salvatore.

“It was nice to get out of the house and spend some time with just you. The only time we’ve been alone the last few days has been at night, little one. I don’t look forward to the weekends quite as much as I did before.”

He gives me a rueful smile, since neither of my parents had work over the weekend. They were at the house with us all day, Saturday and Sunday. I’ve enjoyed the time with my parents and when Tristano comes over. However, I’m getting to that point where I’m ready to climb up the walls and head back to New York.

In the good old days, when I got tired of my parents’ company, I would go to my apartment here in town. However, I gave up the lease when I moved to New York. So, short of going to my brother’s, my cousins’, or my aunts’ and uncles’ homes, we’re stuck here because Joaquin definitely won’t consider a hotel when we can have an entire contingent of armed guards patrolling the property.

“Do you want to walk for a little while, chica?”

Joaquin helps me out of my chair as though I’m nine months pregnant and ready to waddle. It’s incredibly thoughtful, and I enjoy being this spoiled. I could certainly get used to it, though I suspect he’d be exactly the same even if I wasn’t pregnant. He pushes the chair in behind me, then presses his hand to my lower back as he guides me toward the door. I’m about to agree with his suggestion, but I have to stifle my yawn. It’s my turn to give him a rueful expression.

“I think now that I’m full, I’m a bit sleepy.”