Chapter 6

"Capo," Julio on the couch calls out, chuckling, and I remember we aren't alone in the room. I turn to him, my eyes pleading for help even though he doesn't know who I am.

"Stay out of it," Rafael growls and Julio raises his hands in surrender, standing from the couch.

"I think I'll wait outside while you guys get to know one another more," he says, moving toward the door. I feel the sudden urge to call him back, to beg him to stay and maybe talk sense into his boss.

"I don't have forever, Francesca," Rafael says, pulling my eyes back to his, and I know he means it.

I open my mouth to plead with him, but one brow lift has my mouth shutting sealed. The defiance he spoke about surfaces, and I bite it back. I can't give him a reason to want to hurt me and make my sister feel responsible for my death, which I know she would.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of cigarettes and his expens