Page 118

That was more than I’d realized.

“Which is why you must stop making yourself difficult to protect.”

“I wasn’t trying to make myself difficult to protect.”

“You were carrying two bottles of liquor and a lighter toward the kitchen while announcing your intention to burn the house down.”

“Well…when you put it that way, it sounds reckless.”

“It was reckless.”

“I was so angry.”

“I noticed,” he grunted.

I almost smiled.

Rafael didn’t.

“There is another problem,” he warned.

“Isabeast.”

He nodded. “She has more men than I thought. Mateo’s been moving them into positions that matter, and Ciro is too arrogant to notice.”

“So you think something big is about to happen.”

“Soon. And when it does, we may only have minutes.”

I wiped away the last of my tears.

“What can I do?”

“Go back to your room. Change into jeans, boots—something you can run in. Keep the key and knife on you.”

“You think it could happen today?”

“I think you need to be ready if it does.” He glanced toward the corridor. “Pay attention. The moment an opportunity opens, take it. I’ll keep working on the plan, but one pull of a trigger could change everything.”

“I will.”

“And if nothing happens before tonight, sleep in those clothes.”

That got my attention.

“Rafael—”

“Night has a habit of bringing surprises around here, mi niña. I want you ready for it.”

I nodded.

“I won’t set anything on fire.”

“Good to know.”

“For now.” I smiled up at him.

His mouth twitched.