by Blue Saffire
“I have always cared for Detra. I just didn’t realize I’d fallen in love with her. Last year… I acted on my feelings. I always knew we would make fire, but I didn’t know she’d consume me.
“I love my wife. She won’t allow herself to admit it, but she loves me too. I’ll do anything for her. Which includes giving her access to the world.
“I gave her that before she gave her body to me. You can rest your conscience, your business is built off of many sins, but sex is not one,” I say and take a sip of my drink.
“You are right. She does love you. A year ago, I don’t think she knew that herself. But she’s getting there,” he says with a grin.
“You look like you are in love,” I say, nodding towards a laughing Talina.
“Yes, like you I’ve waited a long time for her to see me,” he says in a haunted tone.
“Sí, they will kill you with the wait, but it is worth it in the end, no?”
“Yes, it is,” he says with a face splitting smile.
I know that look. I release a laugh and slap him on the back. I still harbor a little jealousy towards this man, but he has shown he wants what’s best for my Esposita.
“To the women we love and that drive us crazy,” I say lifting my glass.
“Ha! To the women we love and Detra,” he laughs.
“Salute,” I chuckle. “It is agreed then that she drives us both crazy.”
“Yes, I’m hoping to see more of you. I don’t think it’s fair I have to carry the load on that one.”
“Sí, you will be seeing more of me. Although, she has a way of making me crazy from a long distance. Trust, amigo. You are not in this alone,” I reply.
“She’s looking at us. I think we should separate so she doesn’t come for our balls,” he whispers.
I laugh as my wife glares and her friend hurries away from me. He moves to Detra’s side and whispers something in her ear. For the first time, I don’t tense when he gets near her.
Detra nods and turns to me with a soft look on her face. Nelson turns back towards me and rises his glass. I nod at him.
Seeing them together, I wonder if getting Detra to stay with me will be so easy after all. Theirs is a bond that will be unbreakable. A few weeks ago that had been my intention. To break up this friendship that calls her way from me.
The information I wanted was to help me do so. Now, I’ve seen what Detra calls her freedom. I’ve seen the woman she’s become outside of the gilded cage I’ve scheduled to place her in. I’ve come to find that I love her more with her wings spread.
“What’s wrong?” Detra asks as she walks over and places her hands on my chest.
“Nothing at all.”
“That’s not what your face says.”
“I am old. My thoughts take me away to far places in my old age,” I tease, pulling her body flush with mine.
“I’m sorry,” she says more seriously.
I knit my brows, searching her eyes. I’m confused by the apologize and concern in her gaze. I begin to rub soothing circles against her back.
“What are you sorry for?”
“I’ve excluded you from our group. You’ve been over here by the bar lost in your own world,” she replies.
“You have not excluded me from anything, mi amour. I have just been observing and taking things in.”
“What are you taking in?”
“Your freedom,” I reply.
“What if I told you it’s not as appealing anymore?”
I cup her face between my hands and kiss her tenderly on the lips. Her lashes flutter and her cheeks begin to glow. I kiss her nose, allowing my lips to linger.
“I’d say we should sit down and talk. No more chasing and no more running. We’ll talk the way we used to. How does that sound?”
“I can talk,” she says with a little grin.
“Perfecto.”
Chapter 14
Called Away
Detra
“Valentine’s day is coming. What would you like to do?” Cristó asks as he draws the soapy sponge across my breasts.
“Greece sounds perfect.”
“Greece it is,” he replies.
“I have work to do. I can’t run off to Greece.”
He scoffs and drops the sponge, running his hand up the center of my chest. I shiver even though I’m not cold. I tilt my head as he plants a kiss behind my ear.
“Work has never held you in place. Finish what you need. We are going to Greece for Valentine’s.”
“Um, I’ll think about it.”
“Esposita, be my Valentine and come with me to Greece,” he croons in my ear.
“Now when you put it that way.”
“All of my grey hair is because of you,” he groans.
“Lies.”
He chuckles and wraps his arms around me. I could get used to this. We fall back into a comfort silence, only broken by the sound coming from the other room.
“Your phone is ringing again,” I say lazily.
Cristó grunts into my hair but doesn’t move. I stay settled against the warmth of his chest. The water in the bathtub is nice and warm as well.
It’s been so long since I been so relaxed. I know it has a lot to do with the fact that I’ve accepted that I love Cristó. It took Nelson whispering— it’s time for me to let go, but most of all, it’s safe to do so— for me to fully admit it.
“It could be important,” I say as I listen to the sound in the distance.
“My world is right here in my arms,” he says and gives a gently squeeze. “Leave that world out there for now.”
“You truly think you are king. We have to answer you immediately, but you keep us all at bay when you please,” I say with a smile.
“Sí, you finally get it,” he says with mirth in his voice.
“What am I going to do with you?” I giggle.
“You are going to have this talk with me,” he replies, moving his hands to my shoulders.
I sigh. I knew that was coming. I walked right into.
“What do we do?”
“I will tell you what I want. I want you by my side. We don’t have to decide where that is for now. I just don’t want to wait for you to appear twice a year,” he says.
“I can move it to three times a year,” I tease.
He makes a growling sound and naps my ear. I shrink away trying to block him, water splashes around us and my heart swells. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t say them.
“I will allow you leave me to go wherever you want three times a year,” he says.
“Is that right?” I look up over my shoulder at him. “You will allow me to leave?”
“Sí,” he nods. “You have heard me. We will be together from now on. When you want this freedom you crave, I will allow you to go.”
“Um, I think you have made a mistake. I will be with my husband out of choice. If I want to travel, whenever I want to travel, it will be out of choice,” I retort.
“We will agree to disagree for now.”
“Some talk,” I snort.
“Stand up and bend over. I’m sure that conversation will go better,” he croons on my ear.
I lift a brow at him. He gives me a pointed look letting me know it’s a command, not a request. I stand and bend just as he says, water cascading from my body.
As soon as I do, the sound of the doorbell fills the house. I lift and I’m already in route to my gun. Cristóbal is out of the tub and past me before I can make good tracks.
“Stay here,” he says low, tossing me a towel to cover with.
His phone rings again, this time he answers it. I relax once he starts barking at Alonso on the other end.
“Alonso, if I do not answer that means I’m busy. That does not mean for you to show up here to disturb me,” he snarls.
“No, I’m not coming down to let you in. What is it?”
I shake my head and go to shower off. I’ll let him deal with his assistant.
&nb
sp; Cristóbal
I throw things into a bag in frustration. I have business to attend to back home. I don’t understand how I suddenly have so many incompetent people around me.
“Can I help with anything?” Detra asks as she sits beside my bag, watching me.
“I would tell you to kill them all but that’s not your department,” I seethe.
“Say the word,” she says with a grin.
I pause and look at me wife. The wickedness I see in her eyes tugs at something in me. I toss the shirt in my hand aside and move to stand between her legs.
I bend and capture her lips. Craving her taste, I miss her already. I’m not ready to leave her.
“Tell me again why I agreed to leave you behind,” I say against her lips.
“I have business here. I want to spend Valentine’s Day in Greece with you, like you promised. That means wrapping up here. You promised to return as soon as you straighten things out. A day or two tops,” she purrs against my lips.
“I don’t like it. It’s a day or two too long. Pack your things,” I demand.
“I don’t like it either, but I have to be in this meeting with Nelson and Talina in the morning. You said this can’t wait that long,” she says with that gorgeous pout on her lips.
“You are right.” I sigh. “Come see me out. Lock up as soon as I’m gone.”
We move to the lower level, where we say our goodbye and I take one last taste of her mouth. It’s a lingering one. I don’t feel this is right, but I push the feeling aside.
She has agreed that we will we be together. The chase and wait are over. Pressing my lips to her forehead, I release her.
“Te amo, Esposita. I will return as soon as possible.”
“I know you will,” she says. “See you soon, Marido.”
I climb in the back of my car headed to my jet. Thoughts of Detra fill my head. She has become so much more to me.
I can’t remember ever feeling this detached from life before. Just the thought of being away from her again causes an ache in my chest. I rub at it, but it doesn’t go away.
Something is just feels off. I take out my phone to call her just to check in, but I pause. My thoughts turn in a different direction as I see all of the missed calls on my phone.
“Atención,” I mutter to myself.
I need to focus. Things aren’t adding up. For one, Alonso wouldn’t be the one to call for such matters. His excuse for doing so doesn’t make sense. His calls are the only missed calls I have on my phone.
I close my eyes to still the rage that raises in me. Details I’ve been subconsciously cataloging come back to me. My pursuit of my wife had me placing one too many facts on the back burner.
I settle back into my seat. As cool as a man can be. At least on the outside.
I make a call and place the phone to my ear. I don’t so much a narrow my eyes as Alonso stiffens in the front passenger seat. I’m hyperaware of everyone movements.
“Jefe,” the voice on the other end answers.
“¿Cómo estã mi pequeño asesino favorito?”
“I am well, but I know not of this little killer you speak of. I am a simple bookstore keeper, traveling to find more rare books,” she says in her raspy voice.
I smile. I don’t blame my brother for falling for her and keeping it from me. Love will make you do things you never thought you would.
“Am I right?”
“Sí, you are very right.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know yet who helps him, but I will know soon. Would you like me to take care of it?”
“I believe I will get the opportunity to do this one myself,” I reply, my focus on the head in front of me as its owner strains to hear my conversation.
“You have told my wife about this?”
“No, Jefe. I see you’re still angry with me for that call. Forgive me.”
“It is forgiven,” I reply.
“You underestimate her, Jefe, but I’ve learned that is a thing with you Suarez men.”
“Sí, I may. Finish up, it’s time for you to take a vacation. Your niño misses you.”
She chuckles and hangs up without a word. I end the call and reach into my bag, placing one hand around cold steel and the other around a marble hilt.
“It will be good to go home,” I say calmly. “Maybe I have been neglecting a few things.”
“Soon, things will be as they should,” Alonso says.
My muscle bunch, but I show no expression on my face. His tone alone has me itching to slice his throat, but I’m a man of more patience than people know. I will let this take it’s course.
“Sí, that I can guarantee,” I say darkly.
I’m always ready. Are you?
Detra
I start to daydream about Greece as I rub lotion into my skin. I’m going to miss Cristó, but I’m looking forward to the trip he promised.
This will just be a day or two. I can handle that. I look down at my phone with a smile expecting a text from my husband. My smile falls when I see it’s Gabriella.
Gabriella: Alonso can’t be trusted. Just got off call, something is not right with Jefe.
Me: Where are you?
Gabriella: In a SUV outside your front door.
Me: Coming.
I leap from the bed without another thought. I’m dialing and trading my pajama shorts and tank for jeans and a T-shirt. I’m annoyed that it takes more than two rings for my call to be answer.
“What’s up, cuz? What do you need?” Emilio croons into the phone.
“I’m linking my phone to you. Find me and bring everything and everyone you’ve got,” I say and hang up.
I said I keep my family in the dark about certain things. I never said that they’re not with the shits. Today, we’re all going to get our hands dirty. No one, and I mean no one, fucks with Cristobal Suarez without answering to me.
“Cabrón got me all the way fucked up,” I mumble to myself as I check my clips and head for the door. “This is why you let me run shit, Jefe.”
Cristóbal
I can feel the shift as we pull into the airplane hangar. So this is the day they want me to die? Too bad I have not agreed with this plan.
“Take me back,” I command.
I know that I’m safe in this armored car. I will put a bullet in these two before they change that fact. I step out of this vehicle and I’m vulnerable and without back up.
Alonso may have had a wise plan if he were dealing with someone else. The driver starts to obey my command. However, Alonso starts to spatter in his seat.
“Don’t, we have a flight. Jefe, we need to get on the plane— argh!” Alonso screams as I slam the blade of my knife into his shoulder.
“Shut your fucking mouth,” I seethe. “You think I’m stupid? I will show you stupid.
“I never told you where I was staying. How did you show up at my door? Why have you been trying to place doubt in my head about my Teniente?
“Do you think I haven’t noticed? ‘Jefe, maybe she is losing her control?’ ‘Are you sure you can trust her with this?’ All of this has been reasons for me to doubt her. That is how you orchestrated it to look, sí?”
“Please,” he cries out as I lean into the blade.
“Shut up,” I snarl. “You were the one I asked for those reports about Nelson Fisher and Fisher, Inc. Nelson and Detra’s troubles started after this request.
“You would have been able to find out about the car. It was your job to find out Detra’s plans and tell me, but you never did, did you? You kept the information for yourself.
“What happened, Alonso? She surprised you as much as me showing up on my doorstep for Christmas?
“She rules you.”
“Why is that your business?” I seethe. “You are always sticking your nose in things that don’t concern you. Now today, this panic you bring.
“Why would Manuel or Stony contact you? I have no missed calls. Your mistake this entire time was thinking tha
t pussy had me so distracted I don’t see you. ¿Quién es estúpido ahora?”
“You don’t deserve any of this,” he cries out. “You give that Puta more control than your own family. I get rid of you then I can get rid of her and your weak brother.”
“Again, you show how foolish you are,” I hiss and twist the blade in his shoulder. “Everyone has their place. I haven’t had the policía in my business in years and none of my loyal men or women have had problems.
“You are entitled. It is my fault. I shouldn’t have hired the brother of some Puta I was just fucking,” I snarl.
“Loyalty,” he pants. “You don’t know loyalty. She was in love with you, but you never saw that. My sister deserved better.”
“And I gave her better. I introduced her to her husband. She is happy. Why is this my problem?”
“He is poor,” he retorts.
“You are a fool. Your sister is not poor or wanting. You are just greedy,” I say to him. Turning my attention to the driver I bark. “I told you to drive!”
Things go to shit in the blink of an eye. Alonso aims and fires at the driver and I put a bullet through Alonso. I’m trapped in the back of this car with two options. Seat and wait out my car being ambushed or open the door and take my chances.
My body is too big to climb into the front seat in this vehicle. Before I can make a decision, they begin to open fire. When I find out who is behind this— who gave Alonso the confidence to try this— I’m going to kill them slow, very slow.
The bullet proof car holds its weight, but that’s not going to last for long. My anger is at a boiling point. Suddenly, I hear the screech of tires and a shift in the gunfire.
My phone rings and my gut tells me to answer.
“We’re here, Jefe. Stay down,” Detra’s voice comes through the line.
“Get out of here,” I demand.
“I don’t think so. This is my chance to return the favor. I’m saving your life.”
