Chapter 24

RAFAEL

The gaudy lights and cheerful music of the amusement park clash violently with my mood as I sit under a booth, looking utterly out of place in my expensive black suit that mirrors the darkness in my heart. It’s hot, the sun bearing down mercilessly, and the polished leather of my shoes reflects a world far removed from this one. The suit clings to my body, stiff and sharp, contrasting with the carefree, sweaty crowds around me. 

My phone rests in my hand, the screen casting a faint glow on my face as I watch the live feed. The camera attached to Luca’s breast pocket tracks my pet—as she navigates through Danny’s friend group. Her floral sundress sways gently in the warm Mexican breeze, a deceptively innocent picture.

I had expected it to be a challenge for her to infiltrate this group of tight-knit women, but Francesca has proven me wrong yet again. With her half-baked Spanish and that goddamn charming smile of hers, she's won them over in record time.