“Five,” she whispered, lying on her back and breathing just as heavily as he was.
“We have three either wounded or dead.” An agent shouted further from the hill where they sat.
“You have all of them,” Migs told Lenox. “Ariana said there were five men.”
Lenox cuffed Benito, who was hunkered down in a weird way.
Bella stomped over to the cartel lord and slapped him across the face.
“Here’s the last one!” She screamed and kicked him in the nuts.
The once feared Benito Carillo crumbled like a pile of bricks, leaving Lenox speechless, if not a bit amused.
“I have to say, Walker. Your women are vicious.”
Lettie ran down the incline and the sisters hugged.
“Fierce,” he corrected, pushing to his feet and helping Ariana up. He hugged her tightly as all the tension and the fear he’d kept inside leaked out like he’d been shot a hundred times. His hand, that had been steady holding his weapon, was now trembling as he brushed away strands of hair from her face. “You know,” he said as emotion clogged his throat. “I don’t know if I can ever let you out of my sight again.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I seem to get into trouble when you’re not around.”
“Ariana …” he said achingly and lowered his head to kiss her.
But as usual, his sisters thwarted his plans.
“Miguel! Miguel!” He turned and caught Bella and Lettie in the security of his arms. And after quick hugs amidst sobs of relief, the four of them hurried home to check on their injured.
30
Three days later
“No. Move him this way.”
“Ouch.”
“Fix the pillows on his back.”
“Ouch.”
“Cesar, are you okay?” Tessa asked.
“I will be, once you all stop fussing over me,” Cesar grumbled, wincing as he tried to get comfortable against the pillows.
Migs bit back a smile, standing back to let his sister take over. Tessa and Cesar were moving in temporarily with the rest of the Alcantara-Walker family while his brother-in-law recuperated from his gunshot wounds. Their injured security guy, Crispin, was in the other room. Pops and Ariana helped settle him in at what was now known as the infirmary section because their rooms were across from Abbi Mena’s. Tactically, it made it easier to handle their needs and, his abuelita, despite the cast on her arm, still ruled with an iron fist.
“Stop complaining,” Abbi Mena said, standing by the door and looking into the room with satisfaction. “You scared the crap out of us, bleeding out in my kitchen.”
Everyone laughed except Cesar.
He was trying not to because any movement originating from his upper torso hurt. “Don’t make me laugh,” Cesar grimaced. “And thanks for your concern. Though I’m not sure whether your concern is for the floor or me.”
Abbi Mena’s brow rose. “Don’t be a smart ass.”
Tessa’s jaw dropped and Migs snorted a chuckle.
“What?” their grandmother said. “Surprised I can curse like the rest of you? After what this family has been through, I earned it. We’ve earned it.”
Everyone’s faces turned solemn. It had been a challenging few days. Cesar and Crispin each had to undergo two surgeries for their wounds that hit their shoulders and torsos in fairly identical spots. Migs figured it was Silba who’d done it— it was his MO. Well, that motherfucker was dead. The two men Lettie shot survived and even if Migs wished they’d ended up with Silba’s fate, he didn’t wish that burden on his sister. As for the man Ariana shot and killed, his wife seemed to be handling the onus on that well. In some ways he and Ariana were the same. Though Migs grew up in a loving family, he chose to mix into the dregs of the cartel. As for his wife, she had no choice. She was born into it, and now, he was glad he could share his family with her.
“Yes, we did,” Migs said.
His grandmother slid her gaze to him. “Still shouldn’t use the Lord’s name in vain.”
“Understood, Abbi Mena,” he responded instantly.
Her eyes narrowed. “You and I know you can’t help it.”
He walked toward her and kissed the top of her head. “That’s right, but you’ll forgive me anyway.”
“Sí, mijo,” his grandmother sighed. “Now go check if Delia and the rest of the girls have dinner ready. We need to feed the invalids.”
Cesar groaned. “Please let there be carnitas. I’m tired of jello.”
Migs left the room, chuckling as he ducked into Crispin’s room, and rapped on the open door. Ariana was fixing the pillows behind his back just like Tessa was doing for Cesar. “Everything all right in here? The general asked me to check on the sick.”
Ariana gave him a smile and a salute.
“Where’s Pops?”
“He got a call. I think a visitor.”
Migs frowned and backed away from the room.
His phone buzzed and he slid it out to look at the screen. Recognizing the number from Nadia, he walked the opposite direction to get to a French door that led to the flower fields of Abbie Mena’s garden.
“Walker.”
“Patching you through,” came Nadia’s clipped response.
He held his breath. Garrison. His handler and the entire team had arrived at the American Embassy two days before. The news wasn’t making the headlines, but from what Migs had gathered, this was causing a big headache for the State Department.
“Walker?” John’s tired voice came over the line.
“Motherfucker,” Migs murmured. “Fucking glad to hear from you.”
“Missed me?”
“More like worried. You guys out?”
“About to board the plane for the fucking USA,” John said.
“Everyone okay?”
“A bit worse for wear, but we’ll survive.” There was a pregnant pause and then. “So Carillo went for you guys, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“Benito was desperate. He messed with the wrong arms dealers. Maybe Andrade made a good move.”
“He kidnapped an American citizen,” Migs reminded him.
“We’ll sort that out when I return. Just wanted to let you know we’re on our way back.”
“You in trouble?”
John chuckled. “You mean we? Don’t worry. I doubt they’ll banish you to Antarctica. Not when you handed Benito to the DEA.”
They ended the call soon after. Neither of them were fond of using phone conversations or text messages to exchange sensitive information despite the full encryption on their devices.
Remembering that Pops had a visitor, he headed to the foyer and was shocked at what he saw.
Or who.
What the hell was Hector doing here?
He and his father were arguing in hushed tones.
“You have some nerve showing up here,” Migs growled as he stalked toward his cousin. “What the fuck do you want? And how the hell are you walking around scott-free?”
“Hardly scott-free.” Hector raised a pant leg to reveal a device around his ankle. “And a DEA agent drove me here.”
“You’re under house arrest?” Migs scoffed.
“I deserve more than that,” Hector said quietly. “No. I’m helping the DEA with a few things.” His mouth turned down slightly. “History repeating itself, huh?”
At the reminder of Tio Pepito, Miguel’s initial anger lessened, but he refused to let the guilt weigh him down anymore.
“You haven’t answered why you’re here.”
“I’ve never apologized to Abbi Mena and Ariana.”
Migs’ situation with Tio Pepito was different. He didn’t want his cousin anywhere near his wife after what he’d done, but who was he to deny forgiveness to his cousin. It wasn’t his to give.
“Hector?”
Migs clenched his jaw at the sound of his grandmother’s voice.
“Abuelita,” Hector said quietly, his eyes glazing. “Lo siento, Abbi Mena.”<
br />
Their grandmother passed Migs and, after Hector cast him a brief glance, he moved forward to embrace her.
Drew walked over to Migs and gave his shoulder a brief squeeze.
Abbi Mena and Hector went to the sitting room, his cousin openly crying now as he continued to ask for his grandmother’s forgiveness.
Would he even doubt Abbi Mena would forgive Hector?
No. Because she forgave Migs for Tio Pepito.
There was no bringing back his uncle or Leon, but Migs sure hoped Hector would make up for what he’d done.
“What the …?” Ariana appeared beside him and clutched his hand. “What’s he doing here?”
“He wants to apologize to you and Abbi Mena.” He eyed her warily. “You okay with that?”
Emotions played on his wife’s face. “Honestly? It’s too soon.” She glanced up at Migs. “You okay with that?”
Migs smiled, relieved. The last thing he wanted was to force his wife to simply get over being kidnapped to appease his family. Honesty was what was needed.
He hugged her close. “Totally fine with that, babe.”
Hector didn’t stay long. For one thing, he was under DEA custody still and that didn’t allow him to behave as a free man. His one condition to help the federal agency was to see his grandmother. It was evident that it tore him up inside that his abuelita was hurt because of his greed and idiocy. As for Ariana, her answer was clear. She left Migs at the foyer and made her way to the kitchen without talking to Hector.
Ariana was busy sorting the herbs and vegetables from the garden when Abbi Mena walked into the kitchen with Migs and Drew. The men’s faces were neutral, and it was hard to tell what transpired, but the older woman’s peaceful countenance gave Ariana her own gratification. That was further solidified when Abbi Mena walked up to her, took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
No words.
Just a squeeze.
Delia and Migs’ sisters looked at them questioningly.
“What’s going on?” Miguel’s mother asked.
“Hector came by,” Abbi Mena said, her gaze sweeping across the curious faces among them. “He wanted to apologize.”
Those curious faces turned to ones of anger, and then their eyes flew to Ariana.
“You okay with this?” Bella gritted out.
“His apology was to your grandmother,” Ariana said. “I wasn’t ready.”
“Neither are we,” Delia said furiously. “What he did to Leon—”
“Benito had him on a tight leash,” Migs interjected. “Those men came from Carillo and acted independently. That’s according to him. I have yet to confirm.”
“And that makes it better?” Lettie put in her two cents. “Let’s not forget he handed that asshole the keys to our backyard.”
Abbi Mena held up her good arm. “Enough. Hector isn’t expecting instant forgiveness. I see his remorse, but he will pay for it. Will it be enough to satisfy our outrage?” She shrugged. “Only time will tell. I’ve lost one son already to the narcos, I’m just glad I won’t be losing a grandson as well.” She exhaled heavily. “Hector will not be getting off lightly. If he did, I’ll find a way to put him in jail myself. Now”—her eyes took on a steely gaze—“We’ve got two patients in need of care. Is their food ready?”
And just like that, Abbi Mena turned everyone’s attention back to the immediate priority. Outraged feelings were set on the back burner and the Alacantara-Walker family worked together to care for their patients. Lettie offered to take over Crispin’s care for the night. Bella was babysitting Gigi while Tessa looked after Cesar.
After dinner, Abbi Mena and Delia shooed Ariana and Migs away from the kitchen, telling them that everything was being handled.
When they arrived at the wing of their bedroom, Ariana looked up at her husband. “Have you noticed they’ve been constantly pushing us to go to bed early?”
Migs chuckled. “The same way abuelita keeps on asking us when we’re giving her a great grandbaby?”
Heat crept up her cheeks and Ariana glanced away. “That too.”
She could feel his gaze scorching the top of her head, but she didn’t say anything even when they went inside the room. Did she want a baby? Did he?
Migs pushed her up against the wall beside the threshold, arms caging her in. “Look at me, Ari.”
She raised her chin.
“What do you say? Should we go for it?”
Ariana didn’t even pretend to misunderstand him. “Have a baby together?”
“Yes.”
She bit her bottom lip, thinking, and after a few seconds, she said, “Are we ready?”
Migs laughed. “Looks like the family is ready.”
“But aren’t we moving back to LA? What about your job?” And her own. After spending time with Abbi Mena, she was rethinking the business model for a new clinic.
“We’ll work something out.” A muffled noise of doors opening and closing reached them through the thick walls and Migs winced. “We’ll need to find a place of our own and soon.”
Ariana raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck. “But I will miss your family.”
“Hmm …sometimes I wonder if you love me because of my family or just me.”
She laughed. “Oh, are you fishing for compliments?”
“No. Now, tell me again,” he murmured, his lips a hair’s breadth away, and the effect on her girly parts was immediate. Yet it was her heart that beat with what he needed to hear.
“So needy and bossy,” she whispered, and he rocked his hips against her, and his hardness made her more eager to let him have the words.
“I love you, Miguel Alcantara Walker.”
His eyes smoldered and his fingers shifted under her butt and boosted her up. “Now let’s get you pregnant, Mrs. Walker.”
And he proceeded to show her how.
Epilogue
Two Months later
“Oh no.”
Ariana rushed to the bathroom and hugged the porcelain bowl. It was the third time that morning. Of all the days to get sick, why did it have to be today?
She could blame the party Migs’ sisters threw for her the night before.
A soothing hand rubbed her back.
“I told Bella those oysters looked suspect,” Delia said.
“Yes, it’s not as if Ari and Migs need them,” Lettie added.
“Mi amor,” Delia chided. “Not helping.”
“But Migs thought it was a great idea,” Bella defended. “He said Ari loves them.”
“Ari loves oysters probably because our brother convinced her that she did.” Tessa’s voice joined the conversation. “Remember he convinced her to go to a taqueria on the first date? Is she feeling better?”
“She doesn’t look any better to me,” Lettie said.
“I think her color is better,” Delia contradicted her daughter.
“Maybe she needs something bubbly,” Pat announced.
Dios mio. Can’t someone have some privacy while she’s dying in front of the toilet, Ariana thought.
“Oooh, what’s in all those glasses?” Bella asked.
“Peach mimosa.” The self-appointed bartender of the family announced with flare. “It’s one of my best ones yet. Right, Cora?”
“It’s yummy,” her twin said. “Yes, the fruitiness and bubbly might help with your nausea, Ari.”
Ariana dry-heaved again as Migs’ family devolved into a multi-pronged discussion of her predicament as though she was an intriguing science experiment.
“Uhm, should we tell Migs and Father Tomas that we’re going to be late?” Tessa asked. “I know Cesar said they’re on their way to the chapel.”
“Maybe postpone until eleven,” Bella said. “Why didn’t we just have it in the evening? The reception is at night anyway.”
“Something about schedules,” Lettie said. “Everyone seemed to want this particular Saturday, and it’s not like it was such short notice.”
“I think,” Del
ia said. “This nausea is temporary.”
Her stomach begged to disagree, but Ariana was coming to the same conclusion herself.
And it appeared from the sudden silence, so did everyone else.
“You don’t mean—” Lettie started.
“Oh my God.” Pat.
“Oh, wow.” Cora.
“Way to go, hermano.” Bella.
“When was your last period, Ari?” Tessa asked.
Kill me now, Ariana groaned.
“Everyone out,” Abbi Mena’s voice was a welcome one in the suddenly crowded bathroom. “None of you are making this any easier. Cora, open the windows in the bedroom, it’s stuffy in here. Bella, call Cesar and explain that we’re going to be an hour late and have Father Tomas move the schedule to eleven. That’s still an available time, we’ll just have to push lunch an hour later.”
Ariana sat back on her haunches and accepted the wet towel from Miguel’s mother and wiped her face. “I think I’m pregnant.”
Delia and Abbi Mena nodded solemnly; their smile serene.
“That’s why I made you ginger tea,” Abbi Mena said. “Come on, don’t want to keep your husband waiting.”
“I’m glad you and Ariana decided to receive God’s blessing,” Father Tomas told Migs. They were standing in front of the San Lazaro Chapel located in a small park near the ranch. It was frequently used for weddings because of the adjoining botanical gardens and the Spanish-Mexican architecture of the surrounding buildings. As the padre continued lecturing him about the sanctity of marriage, which he would probably hear again in the sermon, his gaze narrowed at Cesar. His brother-in-law had taken a call from Bella during which he had to walk away.
It didn’t help his suspicion when Cesar cast Migs surreptitious glances. It further didn’t lessen his anxiety when Cesar caught his stare, winced, and looked away.
What the hell was Migs worried about? Ariana was already his wife. This was a mere formality to appease his family.
But more than anything, he wanted to give her a proper wedding. But after what happened at Abbi Mena’s birthday, and even if Benito Carillo was rotting in jail somewhere, everyone was still understandably wary of holding a big celebration.
Protector Of Convenience (Rogue Protectors Book 2) Page 29
