Page 116 of Cartel Prince

“We did.”

“I didn’t know you put an offer on it. I thought the agent said the owners wouldn’t accept one from us.”

“I made a call. I reminded the agent that who owns the house after the sellers leave isn’t their concern.”

I glance back at the phone and see how much over asking Pablo offered. It’s obscene, but he knows I fell in love with the house. Him shifting catches my attention. I look at him as he lowers to one knee. I drop his phone, which he deftly catches and puts on the floor beside him.

“Flora, we’ve known since the beginning our path is now one. I knew but didn’t understand what the other couples in my family talked about when they said they found ‘the one.’ Now I do. I want to grow old with you in this house we make a home. I know you’re far from what you know, but you’re with family. Now and forever. Will you marry me?”

I’ve been nodding since he got down on one knee, agreeing with everything he’s said. He’s melted my heart into a puddle beside him. Some couples might prefer a private moment for this momentous occasion, but being with his family is perfect. They’ve accepted me from the beginning, and this reminds me that in their minds—and hearts—I’m already a Diaz. I feel loved by more than just Pablo. I feel accepted by more than just Pablo. Most of my life, it was only my mother who made me feel that way.

“¡Sí!”

He slides a ring on my finger that could dazzle the space station. But all I want is for him to stand. I tug on his sweater, and he comes to his feet. I throw my arms around him and pepper his face with kisses as he lifts me off mine. We share a kiss that’s even more intense and inappropriate for other people to watch than the one after he came home from meeting that mercenary.

Everyone filters into the dining room to give us a moment alone. We rest our foreheads together as we whisper.

“Thank you,Papí. All of this is perfect. How’d you know this is the perfect ring?”

“I heard you talking to Madeline a couple weeks ago when you were discussing her wedding plans. You mentioned the style you like. Did I get it right doing it with everyone around?”

He sounds so hesitant that it’s adorable.

“You have supersonic hearing, Daddy.”

“When it comes to you, absolutely.”

“Thank you. I love that you included our family.”

I think his eyes water for a heartbeat.

“Do you really consider them your family?”

“Of course.”

“Chiquita, they consider you family too.”

“I know they do. I couldn’t ask for more.”

We kiss once again before he leads me into the dining room.

“Chica,I swear I’ll end all this shit still hanging over us before the wedding in two weeks.”

“Two weeks?!”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Pablo

I’m grateful to my family for being who they are. Not Cartel. But loving, generous, funny, and accepting. It made last night perfect for Flora and me. I askedPapáif it would be a mistake to involve everyone in the proposal. He answered honestly that he couldn’t be sure Flora would appreciate it, but he thought it was a nice touch since she has no one else here in the U.S.

Things are still strained with Magdalena. Some phone calls go better than others. People figured out Ernesto fucked around and found out when he crossed Flora. Once people discovered she and I are together, it was a foregone conclusion to most. We’ve agreed to wait at least six months before we consider Flora going back to Colombia. It’ll likely be closer to a year. I want to go a few times on my own before I take her with me. She knows I had to travel internationally, and I think she suspects I went there. I didn’t. I was in South Korea.

Today, I’m dealing with fucking Lorenzo.

It’s taken three months, but fina-fucking-ly.

Alejandro went down to Peru four times to investigate more. I swear, the man has an invisibility cloak. The way he can slipin and out of places with barely anyone noticing is bizarre since he’s nearly six-five and two-forty-five. He’s got shoulders wide enough that even our tailor shakes his head with how much material he needs for his suit coats.