Page 5 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

As he said, he had no problem carrying me home. We’ve reached my apartment complex, and he huffs a breath as he opens the front door and makes his way into the lobby. I swear I hear him mutter something about ‘no lock’ then ‘safety hazard’ when he bypasses the elevator.

My complex may not be the fanciest, but it gets the job done. It’s not in a terrible neighborhood either, so I’m not too worried about the lack of a lock on the front door.

“I’m on the fifth floor. You might want to take the elevator,” I explain, and it comes out willowy.

“Sunshine, we’re not getting in that death trap. It looks a ride away from collapsing,” he says with an eye roll as he takes the stairs two at a time. “And, again, I have no issue carrying you.”

My hero’s so strong.

He grins.

“Here we are!” I squeal, then flinch at the noise. There’s a drumline in my head marching and pounding.

I fish in my purse for my keys but drop them before I can slide the key into the deadbolt. Roman squats, grabs the keys, and unlocks the door, all while balancing me in one arm.

He walks in and takes a moment to look around. I study his features, wanting him to love my place. It’s tiny, but it’s ours. Gracie and I spent a lot of time thrifting and at estate sales collecting décor and furniture.

He nods with what I hope is approval then lays me on the couch. He crouches next to me and just stares for a few seconds. A look of what I can only describe as awe crosses his face.

“I need to check you out,” he says worriedly. You can check me out any day. He chuckles. “While that may be the case, now’s not the time. I’m going to check you for a concussion. Okay, sunshine?”

“Thank you, héroe.” I shoot him my biggest grin, and he smiles back.

He gently pries my left eye open and shines his phone’s flashlight in it. I flinch back, but he holds my head. What a strong grip. He moves on to my left eye and hums in approval.

“Sunshine, follow my finger.” It’s the only instruction he gives before slowly moving his finger side to side. “No, no. Just with your eyes.” I keep my head still and do as he says.

“Whoa,” I groan and squeeze my eyes shut.

“What’s wrong, Cecilia?” His voice comes out rushed, almost frantic.

“Dizzy. So, dizzy,” I mumble.

He hums in disappointment this time. “Okay, you can keep your eyes shut. I want you to touch your nose with your index finger, alternating hands.”

I do as he says, but even I can tell how slowly I’m moving.

“Good girl,” he murmurs, and I can’t stop myself from reddening. “Now, I’m going to give you three words, I want you to remember them.”

I nod then wince, opening my eyes.

“Sunshine. Smiles. Spanish.” He stares into my eyes as he says them, and I can feel the electricity shift between us.

“Espanol. Sunshine. Smiles,” I repeat with a grin.

“Not yet, sunshine. I’m going to ask you a few questions first. What’s your name?”

“Cecilia María álvarez Rivera. I already told you that.” I hope he doesn’t have memory issues.

He grins and continues. “Good job, Celia. What day of the week is it?”

“It’s Wednesday. It’s a great day.”

“Why is it a great day?” He seems genuinely interested.

“Well, every day can be a great day. Dr. Sanders tried to make it a not great day, but you saved the day. Literally, my hero. But also, you saved my day!” I remind him.

He raises a brow in question. “Mamá used to preach Save Your Day. If something upsets you or threatens a great day, find something to save the day. That’s you! You saved my day!”

His smile loses its cockiness and transforms into something soft. “I’m glad I could help.” He coughs. “Now, where are we?”

“In my apartment in Boston,” I answer proudly.

“Good. And who is your emergency contact?” He has a gleam in his eyes when he asks it. It’s a standard question to ask if someone is concussed and needs help, but the way he phrases it… It doesn’t feel so innocent.

“Gracie. She’s my bestie roomie. She should be home soon. Or Mamá if it’s serious.” I respond timidly, hoping he approves of the answer. I’m not sure why I crave his approval, but I do.

“Hmmm. Not your boyfriend?” he questions not so innocently.

“No boyfriend. I haven’t had much luck dating, but that’s okay. The universe will send me someone when the time is right.” I fully believe it.

“Good girl,” he praises darkly, his voice taking on a husky tone. “Do you remember your words? The ones I gave you?”

“?Espanol y sonrisas!” I’m proud of myself for remembering.

“In English, por favor, sunshine. It’s been a decade and a half since high school Spanish.”

I try to do the mental math. I am twenty-four years old.

I graduated high school at eighteen. High school was six years ago for me.

High school was fifteen years ago for him.

He’s how much older than me? I can’t figure it out.

It’s been… however many years since high school since my last math class.

“Sunshine, in English please,” he lightly reminds me. It’s such a sweet tone coming from the gentle giant.

“Spanish and smiles! Those were my words!”

“…And?” he encourages me.

I tilt my head in confusion. “Spanish and smiles. Those were the words you gave me, right?”

“There was also ‘sunshine.’” When my smile starts to fade, he quickly consoles me. “It’s okay, Celia. You’re doing great. I think you have a minor concussion. I’d recommend staying off your electronics for the next couple days and resting your eyes. Your brain has a little bruise.”

“Héroe, are you a doctor?” He’s taking such good care of me, a complete stranger, that I could see this caring man being a doctor. Saving lives. Helping people heal. Doing good for the world.

“No, sunshine. I work in… security. My brothers and I run Syndicate Enterprise.”

“Ah, so you still save people. Keep people safe. You really are a hero.” I’m mesmerized.

“Only for you,” he murmurs. “Okay, when is Gracie getting here? I don’t want to leave you alone, but I have somewhere I need to be.”

I grab my phone, intending to check her location, but the brightness blinds me. I quickly switch it off and thrust it in his direction.

“Here, you check my tracking app. I have her location. I like to watch over her, make sure she’s safe. And I like to know what she’s up to,” I explain.

He grabs my phone, ready to check, but turns to me. “What’s your password?”

“012345,” I murmur, covering my eyes with my arm, unable to stand the brightness.

He huffs dramatically. “That’s not a good password.”

“No one will try to go into my phone. I only have a password because Gracie scolded me into it,” I yield.

“It looks like she’s turning the corner onto the street. She’ll be here in the next five minutes.” His grin falters then his gaze turns to steel. “Who’s Leo? And why does he have your location?” he grits out.

“Oh, that’s just Leo. He’s my friend. He’s like a brother to me.” His shoulders drop slightly, but he stays tense.

He does something else on my phone, then powers it off and places it next to me, face down.

“I added my contact to your phone. Call me if you need anything.” I feel his sincerity in his intense gaze.

“Thank you.” I hesitate before asking, “What’d you put it in under? You know, in case I need to call you.” I redden at the embarrassment of not knowing his name.

His expression falters for a moment. “It’s under ‘Héroe.’ But did you forget my name?”

“I don’t remember you giving me your name. I don’t think you did. I’m great with names. And even if I weren’t, there’s no way I could forget your name.”

“It’s okay, sunshine. I’m Roman. And it’s been a pleasure meeting you. You have my number now. Use it.”

He stands, and I realize he’s been crouching this entire time. I bet he has thighs like tree trunks.

He barks out a laugh, covers me with a blanket, then leaves me alone with my thoughts.

Boy, did he save my day.