Page 41 of Veiled Amor

“You must think I’m stupid for loving him still after everything.”

The hand around her waist squeezed once. “He’s your father,nena. You’re born loving your parents, however bad they are.”

“So, why didn’t you do it? The last time I saw you, you were filled with vengeance.”

It was then he cut his dark eyes at her, and she felt the look deep inside her belly. It was serious, and she saw some of the old Capone.

“That hasn’t disappeared.”

She sucked in her breath.

“I left your father alone, I moved out of State, Lucia, because the night I got close enough to put a bullet in his head, he told me if he was murdered, there was a hit put out on you.”

Shock froze her feet to the ground, staring up at him. His jaw tick was working fast. He wasn’t about to follow that statement with “ha, ha.”

“Wow. I don’t know what to say to that,” she whispered, pain lancing her heart. “I shouldn’t be surprised he’d use me as a threat. It’s exactly something he’d do.” She couldn’t stop the emotion from changing her voice. Damn him. He would punish her to the end.

A few feet from the entry door, Capone stopped Lucia and turned her to face him. A hand under her chin tipped it up to force her eyes to his. “I’m sorry.” She said, watching him frown, “you haven’t gotten your retribution because of me. I’m so sorry.”

“Do you think your life is worth so little,nena, that I’d resent you?” He rasped.

At this point, she couldn’t say. When she thought her father couldn’t sink lower, he did. One day she’d learn how to switch her feelings off so she could stop being affected by what that man did to her.

“Listen to me. No one else would have stopped me from killing Nicholas. He played his hand well. He knew it. And I am not fucking sorry, you hear me?”

Two hands captured her face, stunning a gasp out of her. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll get you free of that man, Lucia. Because your life is fucking worth it.”

Oh. Goodness.

Swaying, she tried to speak around her thick tongue and came up soundless.

Capone moved again, a hand around her waist. He took her inside.

Jacie bounced up to her, grinning. Her minder was hovering behind like a stalking tree. “This is exciting! I’ll bring you something from the airport gift shop.” Lucia laughed and hugged the woman. “Thank you so much for doing this.”

“Hey, girl, this is fun for me. I never get to do covert shit, I can’t wait.”

Then Capone stalked up to her, and her breath went nuts in her chest. “I’ll be back in a few hours. You’re gonna be fine here,nena. Don’t go outside.”

“I won’t.” she agreed.

“The guys will look out for you if you need anything.”

“Be careful, Gi. And hey, maybe you’re right.” She lowered her voice so only he heard as she tried for a smile, but she wasn’t feeling very smiley at the moment. “Maybe you should marry me. That would be the biggest vengeance against my father.”

A joke. A bad one.

Rocks sat heavy in her chest.

What a horrible mess they’d both been caught in for too long.

His eyes flared. Without a word, a kiss dropped on her forehead, and then he was striding out of the door. Capone’s arm was around Jacie’s shoulder like they were the hottest couple on the planet. Her stomach muscles clenched like little jealous fat rolls as she watched them, laughing and pretend-canoodling toward the car. He helped her inside and slid in after her. Tiger was behind the wheel, glowering.

She watched until the SUV disappeared.

“Good news,” Shark announced, dropping his cell into his pocket. She turned to look at him. “They took the bait. The car took off after them.”

“That’s great,” she tried for a smile.