Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
“What the fuck is going on?” Shades roars his question with a scowl. “We’re here to talk business. Right?”
Arturo’s face splits into a wide grin. “Family is the only business that matters at the end of the day. I need to know mi hija is safe before focusing on business.”
“You’ll never have to worry about her safety, Arturo. Valentina is safe with me. She always will be,” I say, looking directly into his dark eyes.
“Excellent.” He claps and grins at me and then Valentina, arms wide and happy. “You will get married right away, and then we can return to our business matters.”
Val looks at me with the same wide-eyed expression I’m wearing, and we burst out laughing. “Papa, married, really?”
“Yes, hija. You are not safe on your own. Marriage is the only way to guarantee your safety. You will become a citizen of the United States.”
“This isn’t the days of old, Papa!”
“Yes, I know that mi amor, but being my daughter comes with many risks and constant danger to you and your family. Merely having this man love you, no matter how true it is, just isn’t enough.”
My heart thumps against my chest. I feel the electricity in the air, the change that’s about to happen if I can’t find a way to speak up. “Mr. Rojas.”
But he holds up his hand to stop me. “No. I know you love her. I can see it in your eyes. But love isn’t enough. No. You must get married.”
Valentina stomps her foot. “You’re wrong Papa. A piece of paper, no matter what it means to Dix and me, won’t stop your enemies or his from coming after me.” Her shoulders square beautifully, like a warrior preparing for battle.
“Maybe so,” Arturo hedges. “But if you don’t marry him, you will return to Colombia where I know I can keep you safe from all of my enemies.”
“Including Emiliano? Because I will never set foot in the same room he is in, not ever again, Papa.”
He frowns. “You let me worry about your hermano.” He nods. “You worry about planning your wedding, hija. The sooner it takes place, the better for everyone. Especially you, Valentina.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Valentina
As soon as we’re inside Dix’s room with some privacy from his motorcycle buddies and Papa, I turn to him with a serious expression and sigh.
“You don’t have to marry me, Dix, not like this.” I sigh because how do I tell the man I want to marry that he doesn’t have to do this? “I don’t want you to marry me out of obligation.”
Dix’s lips twitch with amusement, and his eyes sparkle as he leans in close. “If not out of obligation, Valentina, why do you want me to marry you?”
I roll my eyes and turn dramatically, falling back on the bed with an even more dramatic sigh. “Dix, please.”
He drops down beside me and turns to face me, his nearness making my heart beat against my chest so loud it’s all I can hear.
“Valentina. Your father is right. Marrying you is the best way to keep you safe, and I would walk through the hottest fires of hell to protect you.”
His jaw clenches in that sexy way he has of letting me know he’s serious, and when his hand goes to my stomach, I suppress a shiver at his touch.
“Okay,” I sigh. “You want to keep me safe. I’ll be safe if I stay here with you, right?”
“So, you don’t want to marry me.” It’s not a question and his confusion couldn’t be more…adorable.
“It’s not that.” The last thing I want is to marry the man of my dreams only for him to turn around and regret it. “I know how I feel about you, Dix.”
“And how is that?” His lips curl into a sexy panty-melting smile that almost makes me forget about the incredibly serious conversation we’re having, so I slam my eyes shut to get back on track.
“I love you, Dix. Or, more accurately, I am in love with you. I know it’s too soon for that, and I know that this all sounds crazy, but it’s how I feel. I want to be with you, and I want to marry you, but given my feelings you can understand why I don’t want to marry you…like this. Can’t you?”
His hand slides underneath my shirt, brushing back and forth against my skin. “I understand, but shit, Valentina. How can I not want to marry you when you’re so fucking great about this?”
I frown. “About what?”
“You want to marry me?”
I nod.
“But you’ll pass and then what?” His face matches the question he just asked as if there’s something he doesn’t believe. “Go to Colombia rather than tie me to you for the rest of our lives?”
My breath hitches at his words and let it out slowly. “Yes?”
“And I do want to marry you.”