Lahat ng Kabanata ng Bound By a Promise: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

CamilaThe insulated walls deafened the whirl of the helicopter and blasts of gunshots. From inside the safe room, it was impossible to know what was happening outside. No way to know who was safe and who wasn’t. It seemed unreal that once again I was hiding for my life.Wedding day.Wedding night.We went from our ceremony to a safe room.Not the wedding a little girl daydreams about.The small room where we hid contained two twin beds, a desk, and chair. There was a small refrigerator stocked with water. And currently, it also contained four people. As Mia and I sat on one of the twin-sized beds with our backs against the wall, I pulled my knees to my chest and hugged my legs. Her hand lingered protectively over her midsection, a momma bear guarding the tiny life within. Looking around at the four walls, it was easy to determine that this room was a lot different than the sauna where I hid the last time a home was attacked.The biggest difference was that I wasn’t alone. Sitting acr

CamilaMy mind spun with each step up the staircase. The memories of the last twelve hours swirled with hurricane-strength emotions. It seemed impossible that Papá had called me into his office this very afternoon. No, it’s officially tomorrow. He called me to his office yesterday.In the hours following that meeting my whole world changed.Our whole world.The disappointment at my father’s decision and his unwillingness to listen sent me reeling. It wasn’t until I saw Dante and knew he’d come across the country to fight for me that I regained my footing. If he could fight for me—for us, so could I.Dante’s and my marriage was the throwing of a stone into a lake. The ripples would flow in every direction, having repercussions beyond the two of us.A quick look up at the man holding my hand was all the reassurance I needed to know I’d made my own decision. Dante was the man I wanted, and by the warmth of his body next to mine, he wanted me too.Neither of us said a word as we ascended

CamilaMy eyelids fluttered as consciousness awakened my senses. Warmth. I opened my eyes to the source of that heat, the man lying at my side. My smile faded as I moved, uncomfortably aware of the tenderness of my legs and between my legs. Memories came back as I snuggled beneath the blankets wondering how late we’d slept.Dante rolled in my direction. His tousled dark hair reminded me of the number of times I’d woven my fingers through his locks. I studied his high cheekbones and protruding brow, and the way his long lashes fanned below his eyes. This handsome, dangerous, and powerful man was my husband.Before I could reach out, his dark eyes opened; their focus settled on me as his lips curled. “Good morning, Mrs. Luciano.”“Good morning, my husband.” I pulled my left hand out from the warmth of the covers and looked at the stunning ruby ring. “Mia told me that this ring belonged to your grandma.”Dante turned to his back and inspected the ring on his left hand. “And this one belo

CamilaWith Dante’s hand reassuringly in the small of my back, we descended the staircase. “You’re trembling,” he whispered.I was. My hands were also ice cold. The aroma of food met us as we stepped onto the first floor, twisting my already-nervous stomach. The din of voices faded as if we’d walked onto a stage already filled with characters.Sergio, Papá’s bodyguard, stood near the front door. I longed to ask him about Miguel. Instead, I stayed at my husband’s side. My mother was with Mia near the food, Viviana was tending to something on the kitchen island. Jano, Em, and Papá were outside, probably discussing last night’s attack.Mama turned toward us. Her bloodshot eyes scanned over us as I leaned into Dante. “Me partiste el corazόn.” She clenched her heart.“Tu rompiste el mio.” I held back the threatening tears, praying I could keep them at bay. “I love Dante. I tried to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen.”“Rei es un buen hombre.” “I don’t love Rei.”Mama came closer. “No quier

DanteWe all turned to Silas. “Everyone, go inside. Por favor.”“What’s happening?” Catalina asked.Mia and Camila shook their heads as I put my hand in the small of my wife’s back, and we filed back into the house. Silas promptly closed the glass doors.“Is everything all right?” Mia asked.“If you and Jano could come with me.”Mia gave us one last glance as she followed Silas down the hallway leading to his and Viviana’s suite. Beyond the large glass doors, cartel soldiers patrolled.“Something is happening,” I said, my grip of Camila’s waist tightening. “I want to get you back to Kansas City.”Her gaze went to her parents, who too were having their own conversation. “I want to go,” she replied. “But I want to know that everyone here is safe.”A few minutes later, Mia and Aléjandro returned. Mia’s complexion was pale as she took a seat on the sofa. My brother-in-law’s dark stare met mine. “Come with me.”One last squeeze of Camila’s waist and I followed Aléjandro to his office. He n