Shh, Rafael would soothe, one hand sliding around Summer’s throat, applying just enough pressure to remind him who was in control. You asked for this, remember?
God, it would feel so good.
Except Rafael wasn’t interested in that and never had been. All of this was in Summer’s head. Rafael was only interested in…wait.
Summer had never actually seen Rafael with anyone at all, no wife, no girlfriends. But maybe he had simply kept them away from the cartel. And of course there were women who wrote to men in prison, who married them. Rafael was good looking. It could happen.
“Rafael?” Summer blurted out suddenly.
“What is it?” Rafael looked up from the book he was reading at the table, eyebrows raised.
“Have you ever...been in a relationship with a woman?” Summer asked hesitantly, unsure how Rafael might take it.
Rafael’s eyes narrowed, and he set down the book he was holding, letting the cover thump closed. “What kind of question is that?”
“Sorry,” Summer muttered, embarrassed by his boldness. “I was just curious.”
“Curious about what, exactly?” Rafael’s voice was low, dangerous.
“Nothing,” Summer said quickly, dropping his gaze to the floor. “Forget I asked.”
“Too late for that,” Rafael growled, rising from his chair and stalking towards Summer with an intensity that made him shrink back. “You want to know if I’ve ever been in a relationship with a woman? Fine. The answer is no. My life is no life for a woman to share.”
“Really?” Summer couldn’t help the surprise in his voice. “But my father married twice, so...why not you?”
“Because I am not Garcia,” Rafael spat, his anger flaring. “And because I don’t have time for relationships, or any of that shit. I couldn’t make a woman happy, in any case.”
“Alright,” Summer mumbled, sensing that he had pushed Rafael too far. He wanted to apologize, but the words stuck in his throat, lodged there by the intensity of Rafael’s glare. “But,” he said hesitantly, not wanting to provoke Rafael’s anger again, but needing to understand, “why don’t you think you could make a woman happy?”
Rafael sighed and leaned against the counter, looking away from Summer as he spoke. “Because I’m a dangerous criminal,” he muttered bitterly.
Summer watched him closely, sensing there was more behind his words. He wondered what kind of husband Rafael might be if given the chance. He had always been kind to Summer, but Summer had been a child then. Still, he had a tender side, Summer was sure of it.
“Maybe you’re wrong,” Summer ventured softly. “Maybe there is someone out there who’d love you, even knowing what you do...What you’ve done.”
Rafael’s gaze snapped back to Summer, his eyes dark with emotion. “Don’t kid yourself,” he growled, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice. “Now drop it. My private life is none of your business.”
“Okay,” Summer agreed quietly, but he couldn’t shake the image of a softer, gentler Rafael, a version of the man who might have existed if life had taken a different turn.
Or if he hadn’t gone to prison. Summer itched with curiosity, watching as Rafael picked up a clean plate and began to dry it.
“Was prison really as bad as people say?” Summer asked.
Rafael paused with the plate in his hand. “It’s worse,” he admitted, not looking at Summer.
Summer thought about the stories of what could happen in prison. Violence. Rape, he thought with a quiver of unease.
Rafael seemed to sense his thoughts. “I was lucky enough and strong enough to take care of myself,” he said dryly, a bitter smile forming on his lips. “But you, Summer, I don’t think you’d fare as well in there. That’s why it’s important for you to toughen up and become the kind of man who can take a leadership role in the cartel.”
“Leadership role? I don’t want any role in the fucking cartel!” Summer retorted angrily. “I’ve told you, I don’t want that.”
“Things will change once we’re back in Colombia,” Rafael insisted, his tone firm. “You’ll see the importance of your position in the cartel, and you’ll understand why this is necessary.”
“Fuck that,” Summer spat, slamming his hand down on the counter. “I’m never going back, Rafael. You can’t make me.”
“Watch your mouth,” Rafael warned, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he stared Summer down. “You’ll do as you’re told. It’s not up to you, it’s up to your father.”
“Fuck my father!” Summer shouted, his anger boiling over. “You think I don’t know what he’s done? What he’s capable of? I refuse to be a part of that life, Rafael. And there’s nothing you or anyone else can do to change that.”
