Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) Read Free Page B

although he did lack dimples. She had to stop
thinking about Butler, and she wouldn’t even consider Rafael
Santiago. Besides, her schedule left her too busy solving murder
cases to be bothered by any distractions.
    Genie forced the banned images from her mind
and focused on yet another man who disrespected women — Rafael
Santiago. She’d have to be on her guard. This was her case and
she’d solve it on her own.
    She could see he struggled to hide a smirk.
His eyes boldly traveled up and down her form. Recognition flashed
in his gaze. His long, dark lashes gave her a quick wink. Ignoring
the heat creeping up her neck and into her cheeks, Genie turned,
her eyes locked on the lieutenant’s chair.
    He remembered her.
    “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it,
Genie?”
    “What’s this? You two know each other?”
Winter’s voice sounded a bit too pleased with that knowledge. He
gave her a toothy grin.
    “That’s right. We were in the same high
school class. Hung in different crowds, of course.”
    Genie
swallowed a gasp. She didn’t want to discuss high school. With four
unsolved murders, there wasn’t time to travel down memory
lane. Wait,
what is he doing here? Were there murders in California linking the La Cocina
Dulce restaurant in Virginia to the one in California? She racked
her brain for answers, not hearing her boss calling her
name.
    “Green!”
    Genie jolted. “Sir?”
    “You’re being a bit rude to a former
classmate.” He gestured towards Rafa. “Aren’t you even going to say
hello?”
    Genie swallowed. Her neck stiff, she adjusted
her position to view the man seated next to her. Rafa reclined
easily in the chair, his elbows resting on the armrests, fingers
intertwined. Their knees close enough for her to feel his heat. She
crossed her legs away from his body. Her gaze drifted slowly up
and, when her eyes met his, she read pure, unadulterated enjoyment
in them. The smirk, fully visible now, added a unique angle to his
already handsome square jaw.
    Genie didn’t like any surprises. Not for a
few years now. She used to love them; especially ones she prayed
for but God chose to answer ten times more than expected. Not
anymore. She had prayed for protection — for her heart — and it
broke.
    Here at work, she had control. But even now
that was slipping. Like Jeff’s betrayal, Rafa was definitely
unexpected and definitely not an answer to anything she had prayed
for. Prayer. She hadn’t prayed recently… not really.
    Genie tried not to recall the secret crush
she had on one of Springfield’s resident bad boys. In high school,
every girl wanted him, but he only chose the most beautiful, the
most popular. Not a jock, but built like one due to all the fights
he was in, and he never lost one. Rafa formed a small gang
including his older brother Alejandro and his younger brother
Ricardo, and all were habitually arrested. Why was she always
attracted to the ones with questionable reputations? In fact, Jeff
wasn’t bad to begin with, but later on? Irredeemable. Rafael
Santiago was mischievous to the core, and it shouldn’t surprise her
he'd have knowledge of criminal activities. Genie raised her head a
little, giving him a tight smile.
    “ Mr. Santiago,
nice to see you again.”
    His humorous smile was devastating. “Good to
see you. Again.”
    Genie’s head snapped back to her boss. Hands
clasped over his wide stomach, Winters sat back in his chair,
amused at the exchange. Genie bristled. “Mind filling me in?” Genie
asked. Winters’ eyes switched to Rafa’s.
    “The Snakes.”
    Rafa’s smooth baritone had her eyeing him.
“I’m sorry?” she asked. “The who? What?”
    A grin spread across Rafa’s features. It took
all her willpower not to let her gaze linger on his full lips.
    Twice now
his smile caused an involuntary physical reaction from her. Is it hot in
here? Genie fought the
need to suck in life-saving air in the stifling office. High school
ended more than a decade ago and yet