Chapter 38

Neither of us were sleeping. We were just trying to regulate our breathing, unwilling to let the other go. I wanted us to stay just as we were, but I was running out of time.

"I won"t be here tonight," I said, kissing her forehead as I finally broke the silence.

"Where are you going?" she asked, concern darkening her features, a frown on her face, her eyes shooting small daggers through me.

"I have to go to California."

"What for?" she asked, lifting her body a bit to face me.

"I have a few business meetings that I can no longer delay." It was so much more than that, and it was clear she knew it.

"Are you going to see Richard?"

I moved to a seated position, feeling my jaw tighten as the weight of it all wore me down. She looked terrified, and I hated that it was because of me. But I had no choice, not if I wanted to keep her safe.

"Yes," I admitted. "I told you I had approached him for an investment opportunity, and he has been trying to meet with me for a while now. I can"t just disappear."

"You don't have to go!"

"I do. I need to get close to him. It's my only shot at getting those diamonds."

"He is dangerous, Alejandro! He tried to kill me, and I am the closest thing he has to a daughter. What do you think he will do to you if he finds out who you are?"

Her almond eyes were fully round now, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Are you worried about me?" I asked.

At least there might be a silver lining with this trip. I didn't want to worry her but knowing that she was scared for me gave me hope.

"Ugh!"

She tried to get off the bed, but I wouldn't let her. Before she could get away, my arm was around her waist, forcing her to come closer to me. I lifted her head so she could face me, as she was avoiding my gaze.

"I will be fine, I promise. There is no reason for him to be suspicious, and I will resist the urge to punch that asshole to death for what he tried to do to you."

"I just don't want anything to happen to you," she whispered.

I wanted to reassure her, but I couldn't. I was going to socialize with a criminal, after all, with the man who murdered my brother. I kissed her, but there wasn't much I could do that would put her at ease. And I had to go. I had to try to do something, see what Richard was thinking, figure out a way to get those diamonds before Mathias lost his shit and tried to use Amelia again to get to Richard. I got up, showered, and started packing my luggage. Amelia just stayed there, in my bed, my sheets wrapped around her, watching my every move.

"I have to go," I said as I bent to kiss her goodbye, "but I will be back in three days."

She wrapped her arms around my neck, bringing me into a kiss. I held onto her as long as I could.

"Please be careful. Please. Come back to me. Come back alive," she whispered.

I took her lips in mine one more time, her words strengthening my resolve even more. I needed to protect her, at all costs. I wanted revenge, but I wanted her more.

"I promise I will be. All I want, Amelia, is to get back to you, put this whole nightmare behind us, and focus on you and me."

She let out a sigh, her body slightly shaking in my arms. God, all I wanted was to stay here with her, keep her safe. But I couldn't do that without getting rid of both Richard and Mathias, and those diamonds were the key. I took her lips in mine one more time before I left the room.