I sit anxiously next to Rafael. Ricardo Rosi sits across from us—his elbows braced on the desk in front of him and a smoking cigarette hanging between his fingers. It’s just him and us, but I can’t help but feel as though it’s a trap. Rafael leans back in his chair, the picture of calm confidence as he takes a cigar from his pocket and places it between his lips. There’s a pregnant pause as he lights it, inhaling and exhaling thick clouds of smoke several times before he finally speaks.

“Your problem with me is based on the Russians.”

Ricardo snorts. “My problem is that you reneged on a deal.”

“I have a proposition for you. Help me. The Russians will no longer be a problem, and I’ll give you the port at only a ten percent cut.”

Ricardo is silent for a moment. “What kind of help?”

“I need men.”

“What for?”

Rafael silently scrubs a hand over the stubble of his jaw, and my leg bounces as the tension in the room grows. He places a hand on my thigh, stilling me. “I’m expecting an attack on one of my properties. I believe an alliance would be advantageous to both of us.”

“Advantageous.” Ricardo laughs, shaking his head. “I will give it to you, Rafael, you are very good with words. Better than your father ever was.” Rafael’s fingers twitch at the mention of his father, digging into my thigh. “But do you really expect me to make any agreements based on that limited information? I assume this attack you speak of is from the Sinaloa.”

Rafael says nothing, and I can almost see the shutters lowering behind Ricardo’s eyes. How can Rafe expect this man to align with him if he doesn’t trust him with information?

“It’s the Russians,” I say. Ricardo’s gaze snaps to me, his eyes narrowing as he assesses me. “A mutual problem that could be neutralized if you were to enter into an alliance with us.” Rafael glances at me briefly, but it’s all I need. He’s pissed off.

His lips twitch. “So, you would have me go up against the Russians?”

“Yes,” Rafael says curtly.

“Why are they attacking you?”

Rafael hesitates, and I slide my hand over his on my thigh. “It’s a trap. I’m luring them to me. Their business is not something I care for, however, as you know, their power is sizeable. I cannot fight them alone.”

“So you set the trap without knowing whether I would agree to this?”

Rafael sighs and takes another long drag on the cigar. “I know you well enough to know that you are a businessman through and through, Ricardo. Petty grudges are not your style. If they were, then you would have aligned with Dominges in the last few months and taken me out.”

He sniffs and flicks his cigarette into the ashtray. “I do not think that Dominges is a good long-term prospect. He draws too much attention.”

Rafael smiles. “So, do we have an agreement?”

“I will give you men. You will allow me use of the port for only ten percent, and something else.” Ricardo’s gaze slides to me.

Rafael stiffens. “What?”

“I want to know why half the worlds crime lords seem to want her.” He jerks his head at me.

“She escaped Dominges, made him look bad. He wants her back. As for the Russians…I pissed them off. They took her to get to me.”

He grins. “No, it’s more than that. Dominges, perhaps. But the Russians…I heard it’s Nicholai Ivanov you’re dealing with.”

Rafael shrugs. “He wants a port. He knows none of us will ever give him a foothold in Mexico. He’s going to regret backing me into a corner though. I’d like nothing more than to remove him and reinstate our deal.”

Ricardo leans back in his seat, his eyes flicking between the two of us. “Okay. You have a deal.”

Rafael stands, offering me his hand before pulling me to my feet. “I’ll be in touch.” He and Ricardo shake hands before we walk out of the office and through Ricardo’s townhouse. The car idles outside the front door, and Rafael opens the back door, waiting for me to get in. As soon as the door closes, we’re pulling away.

Rafael says nothing for long minutes, and I can feel his anger pulsating around the both of us. I fidget in my seat. “Rafael.”

He turns to face me, reaching out and gripping a handful of my hair. I gasp as he tugs my head back, sending a sting over my scalp.

“You walk a fine line, little warrior.”

I grit my teeth. I’m not scared of him. “If you want him to trust you, you have to give him something.”

His face inches toward mine. “Give a man enough rope, and he’ll hang you with it.”

“It’s not in his interest to screw you over.”

He huffs a small laugh, his eyes dropping to my lips. “I’ll be sure to ask your advice the next time I need help running my cartel.”

I try to yank away from his grasp. “Why even bring me with you if you just want a pretty ornament?”

His hold softens before his fingers wind around my throat. My heart skips a little, a fissure of fear slipping through a crack in the stone wall I’ve erected to keep it contained. “I bring you because my men have proven that they cannot keep you safe. I keep you safe, Anna. Do you know why?” I say nothing, staring back at him defiantly. “Because I’m Rafael D’Cruze. Now, I love you, and you are undoubtedly my weakness, but do not forget who I am.” He releases me, and I put as much distance as possible between us. He turns his gaze out the window, ignoring me for the rest of the long drive back to the villa.

As soon as we step into the house, Samuel is waiting, his expression stern. “Nero Verdi is here,” he says. No sooner have the words left his mouth than a man appears in the hallway, shadowed by two others. He moves closer, his steps lithe and graceful, like a big cat stalking prey. Eyes the color of whiskey, instantly search me out. I always thought Rafael was intimidating, but I think there was always an underlying feeling of safety in his presence. I knew he wasn’t the soulless monster he pretended to be. This man though…I can almost see him calculating, planning, manipulating, all in the space of the few seconds that his eyes have locked with mine. His coldness contrasts with his obvious beauty. The Italian is striking in every way, and I can picture my equally beautiful sister at his side.

“Anna,” he says. I eye him warily. “You look just like her.”

“So I’m told.”

His lips twitch. “I’m glad to see you’re okay. Una is…protective of you.”

I snort. “Right.” I can’t listen to this bullshit anymore. Whatever deals Rafael needs to make to save his cartel, he can make without me. I want nothing to do with Nero Verdi or my sister. Without acknowledging either of them, I turn to walk away. Fingers wrap around my upper arm, and I freeze, my back tense. Rafael turns me to face him, gripping my chin before he places his lips over mine. The kiss is soft and sweet, an apology maybe. It’s only when he pulls away that I remember Nero and his men are watching. My face heats, and I drop my chin to my chest before walking away.

I need to find Lucas. He’s the only normal person around here. I need his sense of calm, his innocence. I’ve spent too long surrounded by questionable men, and it’s starting to suffocate me.