Chapter 46

"Thank you for having us," I said, grabbing the hand Richard offered.

As I looked in Amelia"s direction again, my eyes were drawn to the hand George was holding as they headed to us, that fucking ring back on her finger.

Seeing him hold her, as if he had any right, as if that woman wasn"t mine, made my blood boil. But for her own safety, I had to be patient. I had to play the game, no matter how much it destroyed me.

"Nice to see you again," he said to me, shaking my hand and then Elena's.

"This is my fiancée, Amelia," George gestured to Amelia.

Little did he know just how well I knew her. Little did he know she removed that ring on her finger just a few days ago just so I could make her come.

"Amelia, this is Rick Hernández, and his fiancée, Elena," he said, continuing the introductions.

I shook George's hand and then Amelia's, rubbing my thumb on the soft skin of her wrist, keeping her hand in mine a little longer than would be appropriate. But I didn't care. She looked at me with wide eyes. I could tell her breathing was slightly accelerated as she fought to remove her hand from mine.

"As you can see, my very brave daughter is finally back home. I wanted to cancel our event today, but she insisted that we have it and take advantage to celebrate her return. She is eager to move on from the unfortunate incident and take her life back by the horns!" explained Richard as I bit my tongue and tightened my jaw to resist the urge to punch his head until his skull cracked open.

"I can understand wanting to forget such unfortunate events," I said, holding her gaze. "It must have been a terrible experience."

She shifted her position and looked away from me, her eyes on Elena. I followed her gaze to Elena's ring finger. Yes, she was wearing an engagement ring. It was all part of this fucking farce I got myself into. I needed to explain it to her before it was too late.

In the moment, though, all I wanted to do was remove George's fucking paws from her, remove that ring from her finger, and take her away from this house, where she would be safe. I just needed to convince her to leave with me tonight. She wasn"t going to spend one more night under Richard's roof.

We proceeded to the lounge area by the dining room. There awaited a table with some hors d'oeuvres and a sizable bar with a bartender. There were about twelve people in attendance, mostly couples. So much for a small family gathering.

George took her away to a small group of people while I got stuck with Richard a little bit longer. I wanted to peel Elena from me, but she was just doing what she was supposed to do—making us look like a couple in love.

I couldn't think. All I could focus on was Amelia. Her beautiful hair cascading down the back of her white jumper, accentuating every curve of her body.

George put his hand on her back. I tightened my grip around my glass and chugged it. I didn't know how much more of this I could take. Amelia finally walked away from George and headed to the bar. I excused myself immediately and quickly walked to catch up with her.

"Two shots of Ardbeg please," I heard her order.

The server gave her a quizzical look, but he obliged. She chugged both shots and asked for one more.

"I didn't take you for a scotch girl," I breathed behind her neck, standing so close that I could smell her perfume.

Fuck, I wanted to kiss her neck, mark my fucking territory. Instead, I slowly positioned myself next to her.

"Two champagnes, please." I turned toward her.

"I'm not."

"Good. Wine suits you better."

She took a slow, deep breath as she downed her third shot and winced.

"I don't have them yet if that's what you came to ask."

"I don't care about that, Amelia." I knew she was pissed at me, but it didn"t mean her words didn"t sting.

"Then why are you even here?" she asked aggressively.

"For you, to make sure you are safe."

A dark sound barely resembling laughter came out of her throat.

"I am, so if that's all you wanted, you can leave. I can bring them to you when I have them."

"That"s not what I am here for. Why was George in your room today?"

"Alejandro…please…this is not the time."

I held her arm as she was about to leave me standing. She gasped and looked around to make sure no one was looking at us.

"If he keeps touching you, It"s not going to go very well for him." She opened her eyes wide. She knew I meant every word.

"Let me go," she said between her teeth.

"We need to talk."

"Everything okay here?" asked George as he walked up to us.

"All fine," answered Amelia quickly as I reluctantly let her go, turning my attention to that poor excuse of a man.

George was frowning as he looked back and forth between us, a quizzical look on his face.

"What did I miss?" asked Elena as she walked to me, grabbing my hand with hers.

"We are just getting to know each other," I answered, my murderous gaze still focused on George.

"Yes," acquiesced Amelia, "but excuse me, everyone. I'll be right back."

She almost ran out of the room, George following behind her. I started following him, but Elena stopped me.

"You are going to blow our cover," she said between gritted teeth.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

"What am I supposed to do here? She is in a house with a man who tried to kill her. And this other fucker can't stop touching what's mine."

"You will also put her in danger if you do that."

She gave me a frustrated look, the one she had when she was trying to tell me to stop being such a guy.

She was right, of course. Richard was looking in our direction now. I needed to calm down, but it was easier said than done. I hadn't seen her for two days. She seemed okay, but I needed to make sure. And I needed George away from her.

I had left Mexico right when they did. Some of my men and I followed them into California until they got to this house. I was staying in an Airbnb close by with my team, armed and ready to extract her from this fucking house if it came to that.

I was also tracking her with the bracelet. I had already infiltrated the guards Richard had in his house with one of my own. So he was able to keep me abreast, let me know she was safe. But that wasn't sufficient. Once I got the diamonds, I wanted her out of this house. I would then do whatever it took to get her to trust me, to love me, to be with me. But all that had to wait. I had to find it in me to be patient.