Page 135 of Cartel Rose (Jorge)

She cups my face. “You’ve been telling me that since the very beginning, and I’ve always believed you.”

Her gaze searches mine, and I wonder if something happened while I was gone. Sitting together like this—with her warming my cock—is the bond we need after the expected but hardly wanted separation. The physical connection makes our emotional bond stronger.

“Liesel?”

“I have my own good news.”

“Oh?” I can’t imagine what it’ll be, but we’ve been apart for the better part of two days and have barely spoken.

“I spoke to Papa andOnkelClyde while you’ve been gone. I even called Randy to see if this idea is viable. I’m going to continue working for Schlossberg & Sons, but I’ll start that New York office we talked about. It means I should be able to stay here with you without too much trouble. I’ll have to travel some, at least in the beginning, but in the long run, we’ll be together most of the time.”

“That’s excellent news,chiquita.I couldn’t ask for better than that and having you in my arms.”

The backs of her fingers brush over my stubble, up to my cheekbone, and along my temple.

“Maybe I can think of one other thing, Daddy, that might be even better to hear.”

I twirl a lock of her hair around my finger. “I can think of something too.”

We speak at the same time.

“Te amo.”

“Ich liebe dich.”

I love you.

It doesn’t matter which language we say it in. It’s sweet that we both defaulted to our native tongue the first time we’ve said it aloud.

We laugh that we spoke at the same time, saying the same thing but in different languages. This time our kiss is imbued with all that love we feel. There’s as much affection as there is lust. It’s a blending of our souls and a promise of the life we’ll build together. It still hasn’t been that long despite all that’s happened since we met. But I’ve never meant anything more in my life than the silent pledge that goes along with my declaration. I think Liesel feels the same way. I think it’s been on the tip of our tongues since nearly the beginning, but there were obstacles to overcome first.

I’ve done a lot of shitty things over the years. A few I even regret. But nothing has made me feel redeemable more than those three German words. I feel like one of my roses in my greenhouse.

I’m in bloom.

If I ever said that aloud in front of anyone in my family—man or woman—I’d never live it down. But it’s true. Cartels and roses hardly go together most of the time, but I suppose they do tonight.

“I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you,chiquita.”

Epilogue

Liesel

“Papá, it’s simply not fair that Cristoph’s going on his first mission, and you won’t allow me to go either.TíaElle’s going. I can’t believe you’re not going to at least consider what I have to say.”

I’m smirking at Jorge as I stand behind our daughter, who’s livid. Just as I suspected years ago, my genes had no say in what our children look like. Jorge’s facing a mirror image of himself, except this one’s about to erupt like a volcano.

“I’ve already explained to you, Elise, why your brother gets to go and you aren’t.”

“He’s younger than I am,Papá, and sinceTíoEnrique,TíoLuis, andTíoMatáis are too old to go, you could use the extra hands.”

I practically snort as I attempt to stifle my laughter. Our daughter spins around and glowers at me. Elise and Cristoph Diaz. Our two oldest children have German first names, which makes for an interesting combination with a Colombian last name and coloring. It confuses people even more when they meet our other two children, Mariana and Isidora.

“I wouldn’t let youronkelshear you say they’re too old. All three of them can still put the rest of you to shame. They may not go on missions anymore, but I’d still wager on a bunch of men in their mid-seventies who can lift more than you and run faster and longer than you,Häschen.” Little bunny.

“Fine, I’ll give them that, but you’re still allowing Josue, Andrés, Santiago, and Esteban as well as Cristoph, to go. They aren’t nearly as useful as myhermanasandprimasare.” Sisters and female cousins.