Page 51 of Benjamin and the Thief

“I’m doing the right thing,” he insisted. “And why would I distance myself from her? I would do anything to keep her safe.”

Amaury stared at him, stunned. “Anything?”

“That’s what I said.”

“You barely know her!”

“I’ve known her just as long as you knew Mom when you made her yours.”

A gasp of air rushed over Amaury’s lips. “Are you saying she’s the one?”

He simply nodded, because it was the truth. He loved her, and it didn’t matter what he had to do to keep her safe. And when she was ready, he would make her his. His to cherish, love, and protect.

“Does she know?”

He shook his head. “That I want to make her mine? No. She knows I like her. But I don’t know how she feels about me. I don’t want to pressure her. She’s got enough to worry about.”

“Hmm. You should have told me everything when I showed you the video.”

Benjamin shrugged. “What would that have served?”

“I wouldn’t have questioned the choices you made. Because we do everything for our mates, because we have to. And if she’s yours, then I won’t stand in your way.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

“Just one piece of advice. Be careful. The Prestons are powerful, and if Catalina is right that they framed her brother for a crime he didn’t commit, then they will stop at nothing to make sure the truth stays hidden. But if he’s guilty after all, you have to convince Catalina to accept it, because the Prestons won’t tolerate anybody besmirching their name. They will come after her and, by association, all of us.”

“I know that.”

Amaury put a hand on his shoulder. “Oh, and another thing.” He smirked. “Catalina just told me that she loves you. Sounded pretty convincing to me.”

With a grin, he left.

Stunned, Benjamin stood there for a few moments. Catalina had confessed her love for him? To his father of all people? He shook his head. Amaury had a way of intimidating people, and one of these days, he would ask him just how he’d managed to elicit that confession from Catalina.

But right now, there was something he needed to do. He knocked. The door opened within a few seconds. Catalina stood there, looking at him.

“May I come in?” he asked.

“Of course.”

He entered, and Catalina closed the door behind him. He turned to her. Her cheeks looked flushed, and she appeared worried.

“I have to apologize for my father,” he started, taking her hands in his. “He behaved like a bull in a china shop.” He took a breath. “It won’t happen again. I made sure of that.”

“It’s okay…”

Despite her words, he knew she wasn’t okay.

“I’m sorry, baby.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “It’s my fault. I should have told him right away about you and your brother. Then he wouldn’t have shown up here unannounced trying to figure out what’s going on.”

“It’s not about that.” She sighed. “I got a call from Santiago.”

The sadness in her eyes made his heart constrict. Had something bad happened in prison?

“What’s going on?”

“Santiago is scared. He said one of the other inmates told him that he’ll protect him from now on, but Santiago thinks that he’ll want something in return, you know…”