Page 14 of Cartel Rose (Jorge)

She wants me to admit I knew Liesel—that just slipped out, but now it’s stuck—was going to be there. Why admit something she already knows? That was my argument when I wouldn’t confess to things as a kid. It didn’t get me out of shit back then, and it won’t get me out of the shit I’m in now. I didn’t know they’d seat them next to us.

That’s what I fucking get for thinking I could kill two birds with one stone—enjoy dinner withMamáand unnerve Liesel. I got exactly what I deserved—heartburn. I hate crowded restaurants. I hate crowded anything, anywhere. I didn’t think my mother’s favorite place would be so busy during the middle of the week.

Mamáknew I was trying to listen to their conversation. She frowned at me once, and I knew she understood exactly what I’d done. Made me feel guilty as shit until she grinned at me. I didn’t want her to think I used her memories withPapáto stalk some woman I barely know. From her knowing expression, I’m as much likePapáas my family always tells me. Except he didn’t want to crawl out of his skin when he had to make nice in public.

“Jorge, she’s intelligent, observant, tolerant of you—and taken.”

I meet her gaze and won’t look away until she laughs and shakes her head. She looks up at the ceiling of the car, but I know she’s looking beyond that.

“Estebear, see what you did? You’re still a bad influence.”

She’s talking toPapá. She does it aloud to tease my brothers and me, but I know she often speaks silently to him. She says he’s always with her. Her avenging angel. She was always Lucy to him, and he was Estebear to her instead of Esteban.

It reminds me again that I came up with Liesel for Anneliese. I don’t know why. I hadn’t heard the name Liesel since I was like fifteen.Mamátrapped Joaquin, Javier, and me into watchingThe Sound of Musicwith her—a movie that still plays an intermission in the middle!

“Don’t blame,Papá. You’re the one who insisted I introduce you.”

“I didn’t say a word about that.”

“You didn’t need to,Mamá. I knew.”

She giggles, and it makes me feel better. She’s the baby among her siblings, and she’s the funniest of all of them. But both of mytíosand mytíalaugh a lot too. There’s too much in our lives that brings sadness and pain. When we can find joy—or at least a reprieve—we take it. It’s why I invitedMamáto dinner once I knew we’d both be here. Finding the restaurant Liesel planned to eat at was just the cherry on top.

“That wasn’t just some new guy, Jorge. They’ve been together a while.”

“I could tell.”

I don’t need reminding. I knew she was involved with someone from the background check Joaquin ran before I left New York. When nothing came up on him, I didn’t ask for more information. I knew I’d meet him tonight since I hacked her calendar. It didn’t make it any less annoying having to smile and be polite to thecabrón. Asshole.

He’s probably the nicest guy in Germany, but he’s with her, so he’s acabrón.

“She’s not a toy.”

“¡Mamá!”

The woman exasperates me!

“You aren’t the type to break up a happy home, Jorge.”

Not my fault if I break up an unhappy one.

“I don’t plan to.”

“Even if she were available, you can’t let her get close to you unless it’s for good.”

“I know,Mamá. Even if you and ourtíasandtíosdidn’t warn all of us, I would know that. I’ve watchedTíoEnrique, Javier, and Pablo all meet their soulmates. I’ve seen all of them question whether they were selfish to fall in love and bring women into our world. I wouldneverbring anyone near our family if I weren’t sure I could trust them for the rest of my life.”

She pats my knee. “Bueno. Do you have time for breakfast tomorrow? I have a meeting at nine.”

And just like that, she changes the subject. She won’t belabor the point. She doesn’t have to. She knows her voice is in my head where it will stay until I have the Atlantic between Liesel and me.

“Yes, I’ll hit the gym at six but only go for an hour and a half. I’ll be back upstairs and ready by eight. Should I come to your suite?”

“Sure. It’ll only take fifteen minutes to get to theidiota’soffice. From the tremor in his voice on our call today, the meeting shouldn’t take long.”

“Then we can have lunch before I go to Schlossberg & Sons.” I enjoy my mom’s company.

“I’d like that. You’ve been busy lately.”