Page 51 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

The car ride to Worcester took almost two hours after work today. Friday traffic was crazy. I texted Carmen during the drive, letting her know we’d be late.

Roman holds my hand the entire drive. The love radiating from him only strengthens my excitement at introducing him to my family.

“A few tips. Eat everything offered. Turning down food is considered extremely disrespectful. I’m sure they made a ton, so I’m sorry if you get full,” I wince as I tell him.

“Sunshine, I’ve tasted what they taught you to make. Nothing could ever make me turn down that food. It’s delicious,” he tells me with a sure smile.

“Okay. So, my abuela’s name is Luz Marina.

You should call her Dona Luz Marina. My papá’s name is Hernando.

You should call him Senor Hernando. And my mamá’s name is Ana Lucía.

You can call her Senora Ana Lucía. My older sister’s name is Carmen.

It’s her birthday. Her husband is Felipe, and their daughter is Rosa.

My younger sister is Valentina. And that’s everyone. ”

“Umm, sounds good,” he says nervously.

“Oh no! That’s a lot. I should’ve written it down,” I start to get nervous. It’s all formalities, and they’ll forgive him if he messes up, but I don’t want him to mess up. I want him to do well. “I’m sorry. I feel like I didn’t prepare you enough.”

I want to cry. I should’ve done better.

“It’s okay, sunshine. They’re your family. I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he calms me.

We pull up to the two-story, four-bedroom house.

Our penthouse is bigger than the house and a third of people live there.

For a few beats, I feel guilty for how lavishly I’ve been living.

But I snap out of it quickly. My family is happy, even if they aren’t wealthy.

Money won’t change that. Plus, I still only make a PT tech’s salary.

We park on the street in front of the house, and Roman walks around the car to open my door. Instead of walking up the path, he goes to the rear door of the car, opens it, and emerges with four bouquets, a potted orchid, a bottle of wine, and a bottle of rum. I stare at him, mouth agape.

I didn’t tell him it was customary to bring gifts. I’d honestly forgotten. But here he is, surprising me in the best way, as always.

“Oh, Roman. Thank you. They’re going to love it.”

I kiss him on the cheek, and he leads me up the path to the door.

We knock, and it immediately swings open.

“?Cecita! ?Mi hijita! Me alegra tanto que estés aquí.” Mamá hovers then pulls me in for a hug. She kisses my right cheek, and I return the greeting.

“I’m really happy to be here.” I step aside, presenting Roman. “Mamá, this is my boyfriend, Roman. Roman, this is my mamá.”

He steps forward and kisses her right cheek as she does his.

“Senora Ana Lucía, thank you for hosting me. I’m grateful to be here.” He hands her the potted orchid. “This is for you. Cecilia told me she gets her love for gardening from you.”

Mamá swoons. She takes the plant and fusses over it.

“Roman, this is gorgeous. Thank you so much. I’ll take care of it and grow it into a beautiful flower,” she promises him. She opens the door and welcomes us in.

Abuela comes down the hallway, practically running. I swear her cane has trouble keeping up with her.

“?Hola, Ceci María! Ven, dame un abrazo,” Abuela orders.

I comply and give her a warm hug, kissing her right cheek. She squeezes me tighter then pulls back.

“Now, step aside. I want to meet the man who’s stolen my granddaughter’s heart,” she demands and pushes me aside. I laugh at her wild excitement.

“Hola, Dona Luz Marina. Thank you for welcoming me into your home.” He leans down a foot and a half to meet her barely five-foot frame and gives her a kiss on the cheek like he did Mamá. “I got these for you.” He hands her a big bouquet of pink carnations.

He can’t know this, but Abuela loves carnations. They were all around her village growing up.

She preens as she snatches the bouquet from his hands, as if afraid he’ll change his mind.

“Please, come in. Would you like some tinto, joven?” Abuela offers, and I can tell by her grin that she already likes him.

“Yes, please,” Roman answers with a warm smile, even though he has no idea what he just agreed to.

“Don’t worry. It’s just Colombian coffee,” I tell him under my breath. He squeezes my hand in response.

Mamá brings us to the living room. We sit on the worn couches, but before I can talk, I hear the familiar giggle of a four-year-old girl.

“?Tía Ceci!” Rosa squeals, before launching herself into my lap.

I laugh along with her before pulling her in for a hug.

“Rosa, you’ve gotten so big! I almost didn’t recognize you,” I tell her as I wrap my arms around her.

“Tía Ceci, I’m four years old. I’m a big girl now!” she tells me proudly as she holds up four fingers. A chuckle next to us draws her attention and she frowns. “Who are you?” she snaps at Roman.

“Rosa, be nice. This is my friend, Roman,” I scold her.

“Roman, are you Tía Ceci’s boyfriend? Do you kiss her? In the movies, the boy always kisses the girl!” she says, and I redden impossibly.

“Nice to meet you, Rosa. I am your tía’s boyfriend. But it’s not polite to kiss and tell, so I won’t answer the second question.” I smile at his nonanswer. “I have a gift for you,” he tells her.

He pulls out a small bouquet of daisies, and my heart melts.

Rosa grins and grabs them. Her little fingers smoosh the stems as she beams.

“Tía, I like him. I want to be his girlfriend next!” Little Rosa tells me confidently.

Roman, who I don’t think has much experience with four-year-old girls, pales at the comment and shrinks back.

“Rosita, stop harassing Tía Ceci’s boyfriend. You’re turning into my Abuela!” my sister yells as she rounds the corner.

I jump up and rush over, giving Carmen a big hug.

“Happy birthday, hermanita! It’s so good to see you!” I squeal.

She squeezes me so tightly.

“Thank God you’re here. Val, Rosa, and Abuela are driving me crazy. Maybe you can help calm them down,” she whispers desperately.

I just laugh.

“Now introduce me to that sexy hunk on the couch! You definitely failed to mention he looks like a god,” she says loud enough for Roman to hear.

“That’s the truth! Back in my prime, I would’ve tied him up and taken him,” Abuela says even louder as she walks in with small clay mugs of tinto.

I almost keel over in mortification.

And to my absolute horror, Roman is blushing.

I’ve never seen that man blush.

“Erm… Thank you, Dona Luz Marina,” Roman chokes out.

It’s the most awkward I’ve ever seen him.

I guess four generations of Rivera women hitting on you can throw you off. Well, three women. Mamá would never do such a thing.

She hands him his tinto, and watches as he sips it, studying his reaction. I don’t think she’d kick him out if he doesn’t like the tinto, but I can’t be sure.

His eyes light up when he tastes it, and he grins.

“This is amazing! I don’t know how I’ve lived this long without ever having it!” he tells her.

And she nods in approval.

As introductions are made, Roman continues to impress my family. He gives both my sisters bouquets of roses, pink for Val and yellow for Carmen. Abuela, Rosa, and Carmen are mild compared to Val. She teases him to no avail. I think Roman started avoiding her.

When he finally meets Papá, he shakes his hand and hands him the bottles of Malbec and an expensive rum I’ve never heard of. To say he was won over is an understatement.

Felipe is also given the alcohol, since Roman didn’t know who would prefer what. Felipe seems more than glad to have another man around. With this crew, Papá and he are greatly outnumbered.

My heart explodes at the possibility that my family accepts Roman.

And that maybe one day, he’ll be a part of it.