Alejandro
Imake my way down the hall, stopping only to fix my clothes.
I can’t believe I just did that. I must really be out of my fucking mind if I can think of having sex at a time like this, and with a woman who just crushed me.
I lost control and gave in to what I wanted most—her.
I wanted her, and I still want her.
What’s keeping me from going back there is what I said to her. It stands.
Everything she did could have hurt Mia, and I live to protect my daughter.
That is my truth. My only truth.
So, no matter her reasons, I can’t be with her.
The war in my soul is something I’m going to have to push aside because I have to stay focused so I can see this through.
Mia needs me to do that. That means I can’t think of Lucia now. I can’t think of how hurt she looked or how broken she sounded when she told me about her brother. I can’t think about her at all.
At the very least, she knows she doesn’t have to worry about her father anymore.
I meet Eric in the living room. He lifts his head when he sees me and straightens. He was hunkered over a stack of paperwork on the coffee table. He’s been talking with the Chicago crew while I’ve been talking to Massimo and the others. They’ll be here later.
“I just ironed out the plan,” he says with a proud smile. “The Chicago crew are making their way to Boston and planning to get Lucia’s father at sunrise.”
“That sounds great. Do you think it will work?”
“I have no doubt. It’s the part after they get him that I’m worried about. That’s when things will become crucial. We’ll know more tomorrow, though. I don’t think we can do anything more tonight.”
I nod, agreeing.
“Then get some rest. Your wife must hate me.”
He chuckles. “On the contrary. She’s wondering when we can come back to Brazil. I think this might become our second home at some point. Anyway, I’ll be able to stay here tonight with the others.”
“Make yourself at home. I’m going to take care of Mia, then I’ll be with you later.”
“Call me if you need me.”
“Sure.”
I head to Mia’s room. Giselle is in there playing with her. She stops when I walk in assuming the respectful face she usually gives me.
“Thanks for watching her,” I tell her.
“That’s okay. Is there anything else I can do?”
“No. We’ll be out for about an hour or so, then I’ll put her to bed.”
“Okay.” She dips her head and leaves.
Mia reaches out to me, and I pick her up. She starts mumbling in her baby language, but I don’t know what she’s saying.
“Papa Uncle,” she chortles and claps.
Papa Uncle.