Binding Rose: A Dark Mafia Romance(21)

“I’m supposed to take him back to his hotel,” is my cold response.

“Well, that sucks ass. When will you be back?”

“I won’t. Tiernan will head out in a few after we leave, so I’m just going home afterwards.”

I know my older cousin well enough that The Pit isn’t where he wants to spend the remaining hours of his freedom. He accomplished what he set out to do with Alejandro tonight. So as soon as we leave, so will he.

“Are you sure? I’ve got some party favors all lined up for us.” Shay tilts his head at the two dancers that are on stage currently fucking their stripper pole while their lips are glued to each other’s faces.

“Take them for yourself. I’m not in the mood tonight.”

“Not in the mood? You do know it’s my brother who is going to be stuck with a ball and chain tomorrow, not you? Hardly a cause to become celibate all of a sudden.” He snickers mockingly.

“Just because I don’t want to get my dick wet tonight doesn’t mean I’m entering the priesthood.”

“If you say so,” he taunts. “More for me.”

Instead of debating with my whoremonger of a cousin any further, I leave him be and go on with the task at hand.

When I get outside, I try to hide my surprise at seeing Alejandro sitting in the front seat of the car waiting for me. His kind is known for being chauffeured around, so him sitting shotgun is not something I’d ever consider him doing. I mask my disbelief with indifference and get behind the wheel of the car, so I can drop his ass at the hotel and be done with it. I don’t bother turning the radio on or instigating mindless conversation since I know he’s not one for small talk. Wasting words on me would be futile in his mind.

And if his mindset is still on the discussion he had with my cousin a few minutes ago, then he knows well enough that only Tiernan can show his sister any type of leniency. I have no influence on the matter.

However, I might have misjudged the cartel prince somewhat.

I was under the impression that Alejandro was as heartless as his father, Miguel. But the way he asked for a sliver of mercy where his sister was concerned, showed me that under his rude and cold exterior lies someone that at least cares for his family, if little else. And a man who has heard more than his share of his enemies’ last muttered words, that he can still hold family as sacred, can’t be too bad in my book.

I doubt my uncle and cousins will be inclined to see it that way, though.

For them, the Mexican cartel will always be a sore spot.

An enemy that callously took something precious from them.

Someone that can never be replaced.

And I fear for all her beauty and good breeding, Rosa will take the brunt of their hatred.

When we get to the hotel, I breathe easy at seeing my best four soldiers alert and guarding the penthouse doors like their lives depend on it. They all refuse to make eye contact with Alejandro when he passes them by but offer me their acknowledging nods in respectful greeting.

“The limo will pick you both up tomorrow morning at ten to drive you to the church. If you need anything before then, tell one of the guards, and they will procure whatever is necessary,” I tell Alejandro at the door.

“Thank you,” is his short reply.

I’m about to turn around and head out when he stops me.

“Won’t you come in and have a nightcap with me? There is something I’d like to discuss with you.”

My brows pull together, knowing his offer to come in isn’t a polite request but a command. I refuse to be ordered around by anyone that isn’t Tiernan, but I won’t be the reason why this wedding starts on a sour note by offending Alejandro by turning him down.

I follow him inside and watch him take off his jacket and place it neatly on the back of one of the couches in the lavish penthouse living room. I stand rigid at the entrance of the room as he walks over to the bar in the corner. I watch him fill only one tumbler with two fingers of expensive whiskey, not even bothering to keep up pretenses by offering me a glass of my own, knowing full well I wouldn’t drink it if he had.

“Let’s not beat around the bush. I won’t insult you by trying to persuade you to be my man on the inside. I know your loyalty to Tiernan is unshakable, and it would only make me look the fool to insinuate otherwise,” he starts, before taking a sip of his drink and sitting down on a nearby settee facing me. “Please, have a seat.”

“I’m fine right here.”

“As you wish.” He lets out an unaffected breath. “Tell me, Colin. Do you think Tiernan was being sincere when he said he’d bring Rosa home from time to time?”

“Boston is her home,” I tell him without missing a beat.

“As of tomorrow, that might be true, but for tonight just indulge me and answer the question.”

“If Tiernan said as much, then there is no reason to think him false.”

“Hmm,” he mutters, running his thumb over the edge of his glass. “My sister will be pleased. I haven’t been the best brother to her, so it’s not as if she will miss me much. But Rosa has always had a soft spot for our brother, Francesco, and him towards her. If they both know that they will see each other soon, then maybe I can spare them a bit of their heartache.”

This is the second time tonight that he has shown concern for his siblings, and I’m not sure what I should do with this information. By doing so, he’s put himself in more of a vulnerable spot than when he decided to come to Boston without his men. He must know that if we were still at war, then I’d use this information to hurt him. I’d go after his brothers and sister, torture them on camera, and send him their burnt, cut-up flesh in small packages accompanied by the videotape so he could see my handiwork in HD.