Chapter 16

RAFAEL

The late afternoon sun filters through the Venetian blinds in my office, casting striped shadows across Julio's face as he leans forward in his chair. His eyes sparkle with an unusual excitement as he speaks in rapid Spanish, his voice filled with wonder.

"Dios mío, she's incredible, Capo. The way she is with Daniel... I swear, I'd marry her just to keep her in my son's life forever."

I lean back in my leather executive chair; my fingers steepled under my chin as I regard my friend. The air is thick with the scent of aged whiskey and cigar smoke, remnants of our earlier discussion about business matters. Now, somehow, we've veered into talking about my pet and her unexpected bond with Julio's son.

"Is that so?" I reply in Spanish, my tone neutral but my interest piqued. "Tell me more."

Julio's face lights up, his usual stoic demeanor melting away. "She's like magic with hi