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snap my fingers and magically erase the feud our families are in. But regardless of that, I still want to know where you’re going to be. I’d like to know you’re safe and okay.”
    The softness of his tone melted my icy defense. How can you argue with someone who only wants to protect you? You can’t. Blowing out a lungful of air, I conceded. “I’m going to my family’s safe house.” The existence of such property wasn’t news to him—we all had them. But no one other than my father, my brother, our family’s closest security, and me knew of its location. And I had to keep it that way. “Daddy wants me there until this mess with Matty is sorted out.”
    He knew what I meant by the mess, considering he’d probably known about it long before I did. Thinking of that only served to light a new fire inside, erecting my defenses once again… fucking bastard kept that from me . I hated questioning him or our relationship. I wanted to believe what we had was special and stood above family ties. I wanted to believe him when he said I was his and that he wanted to make sure I was safe. But how could I when his family—his own father—has a tight grasp on my little brother? My brain felt at war with my heart, and I had no idea which one would win.
    “That’s not necessary, Tesoro. Nothing will happen to you. I can guarantee that. Regardless of your brother’s poor monetary decisions, you know I’d never let anything happen to you.” Silence filled the line as confusion set in. “You know that, right?”
    His declaration of my assured safety and the desperation in his voice surprised me, like he couldn’t breathe without my answer. I knew how he felt about me in bed…or against the wall…but it has always been unclear of his intentions with me outside of our nights together. Hearing of his own personal protection sent another emotion coursing through me. Although, that emotion was foreign and unclear. Definitely not anger or resentment.
    “Stefan, it’s what my father has asked of me. And I must do it. I hope you can respect the need to obey my family. Going away for a week doesn’t mean I don’t trust you, or that I think you’ll let me get caught in the crossfire. And you said yourself that you want to make sure I’m safe…being there and away from this mess ensure that.” I wanted to press him for what he knew, but I couldn’t find it within me to do so. It didn’t matter what information he had, because at the end of the week, it would all be water under the bridge anyway.
    “And what are your plans if your family can’t make this right?” His question felt like an ominous punch to my gut, knocking the proverbial wind from my sails.
    “That’s not an option. We will.” Or more importantly… I will.
    “One week. And you’ll be back whether the debt is paid or not?” It wasn’t really so much of a question as it was his way of seeking a verbal guarantee. Just another way for Stefan to exert his power over me.
    I sighed, feeling as if I were staring at a rock with my back pressed against a hard place. “Yes, Stefan. I’ll be back home at the end of the week either way. You’ll have me back in your bed next week.” And after a week with Scarface, I knew I’d need that more than my next breath.
    “Good,” was all he said before silence took over the line.
    My screen flashed in front of me. He had ended the call without a goodbye.
    One week. That’s all it would be, and then I would be back with Stefan. That’s all I had to focus on to get me through this. I could do it, I knew I could. And then I’d have the satisfaction of doing what no man could. I’d clear my brother’s debt without paying a single penny, and without bloodshed.
    A knock sounded at my door, pulling me from my thoughts and reminding me of the time. I cleared my throat and shook the anxiety from my body, knowing it could only be one of two people—neither of which I really cared to see. “Come in.”
    The door