Alejandro (The Santiago Brothers Book Two)

by Chase, K. Victoria

  Audrey’s eyes shifted to her nephew, who sat back in his chair, watching the two adults while rubbing his belly. “Angel, are you finished?”

  A loopy, yet satisfied smile lit his tan features. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Audrey returned his grin. “Okay, then. You’re excused. Remember to brush your teeth.” Angel rocketed from his chair and tore out of the room, Audrey hoped in the direction of the bathroom and his toothbrush. She followed his tiny form until it was out of sight. “And the plan is to keep Angel from Carlos, right?” Audrey asked in a fearful whisper. Her sister had died to protect her son; Audrey would die, too, before she’d let anyone associated with Trujillo or Alba anywhere near her nephew.

  Die.

  What if the operation failed? She didn’t doubt Ale’s success at anything he did, but so much was riding on the unknowns — the uncontrollable variables he mentioned. And he was going to be in the thick of it. What if Trujillo discovered the trap before it was sprung? If anything happened to Alejandro…

  “Audrey.” Mel squeezed her arm. “Don’t worry. No one is going to take Angel away from you, I promise. We have everything under control. Ale is very good at what he does. He’ll convince Carlos to work for us, and we’ll take down Alba. This will all be over in a couple of days.” Patting Audrey’s arm, Mel stood, wiping her mouth with the plain white paper napkin located next to her plate. “Ale should be on his way back now.” Mel paused, her eyes twinkling with devilry. “If you ask him nicely, I’m sure he’ll reassure you.” She clucked her tongue at her before laughing and heading out of the kitchen.

  Audrey’s face flamed. “I don’t know what you mean,” she called after Mel.

  “Yes, you do!”

  Mel’s laughter continued until Audrey heard the sound of metal grinding, indicating the door had opened and closed. Eyes fluttering closed, Audrey breathed out a weighted sigh. Not only was Angel, of all people, aware of her and Ale… Audrey swallowed the lump of embarrassment surging up her throat to choke her. But now Mel knew. Knew what? Not even I know what’s happening between us.

  I want you. Need you…

  His husky voice had tormented her again and again since he’d whispered those words against the skin of her neck. A man undercover for so long… of course he wanted a woman. But needing her? Could it be true? It’d take more than she could give to rid him of some of the demons plaguing him. Please, God, help him!

  ****

  “If I help you, I get immunity?”

  Ale nodded, fighting the urge to tap his foot. They’d been out here far too long. Someone would have noticed their absence from the garage bay. “The DA is on board. I’m authorized to give you verbal immunity.”

  “And my son?”

  The hope in Carlos’s eyes needed tempering. “He has a guardian now, and that’ll have to be worked out after the takedown.” No way he’d follow through on his “promise” to give Carlos a chance at raising his son, or even meeting him. Knowing Angel was alive was all he’d get… for now.

  “Claro. Alba will be here tomorrow at eight.”

  “Evening?”

  “Sí. En la noche.”

  “We need to get back.” Ale moved past him. His gut churned now that the knowledge of his mission was known by someone on the inside — someone he couldn’t afford to trust but didn’t have a choice. The tears Carlos had shed soon dried, and a veiled anger replaced the regret in his eyes. Ale suspected the fury was directed at Trujillo. After all, it was Trujillo who’d arranged for Carlos to return to Mexico, who killed the mother of his son, and now thought to find Angel and raise him as his own. Every time Ale had mentioned Trujillo’s name, Carlos had seethed.

  After texting the time to his boss and Brooks, Ale finished completing paperwork for legitimate orders waiting for him in Trujillo’s office, and started the long drive through the city to return to the safe house.

  It’s not too late.

  Even the pressure of persuading Carlos to double-cross his boss wasn’t enough to keep his mind from splintering in different directions. Audrey’s kiss kept him amped up, his blood charged with a passion he struggled to extinguish, without much success. She’d awakened something in him he hadn’t experienced before, and he had the sinking feeling that whatever was happening to him — between them — there wasn’t going to be any rescue.

  He fingered his cell while contemplating calling the newest contact saved in his phone — his brother, Rafael. Audrey claimed he was a changed man. A man who’d rediscovered faith and had reconnected with their mother. In the process, he’d found forgiveness and a fiancée.

  A fiancée. Love.

  Ale’s heart had been crushed by those he loved — who claimed to love him. Love of any kind was off limits.

  Audrey.

  Okay, so he was in love. He’d almost told her so on the couch back at the command center. And if anyone were to ask him, he’d say she was in love with him, too. Unfortunately, she’d never let anything develop beyond kissing. She’ll want someone of the same faith — without the issues I have.

  Ale groaned and dialed his brother’s number, almost disconnecting the call on the third ring, but Rafael’s voice froze his hand around the cell phone.

  “Santiago. Hello?”

  “Rafa,” Ale croaked.

  “Yes, this is… wait, Alejandro?”

  “Sí, hermano. Soy yo.”

  “Ale! What…? Where are you? How did you get this number? Are you okay?”

  Ale laughed. “I’m all right, I’m all right. In San Antonio, working a big case.”

  “Working a case? Are you in—”

  “Yeah, law enforcement. US Marshals. Heard you’re FBI now, huh?”

  “I am. Wait, who did you hear that from?”

  Ale cleared his throat. “Your fiancée’s best friend, Audrey. Congrats on the engagement, by the way.”

  “Audrey is there? Oh, that’s right. Genie said something about Aud going to Texas to see her sister. Genie hasn’t heard from her in days. Is she okay?”

  “She’s perfect…”

  “What?” Rafa chuckled. “Perfect, huh?”

  Ale closed his eyes in frustration. “Audrey’s sister Penny was involved in my investigation. Penny — she was killed in the course of the operation, and Audrey’s been targeted by one of the objectives. She’s at a safe house under orders not to contact anyone on the outside.”

  “I understand.”

  “Don’t worry, everything’s going down in the next few hours. Audrey will be free to return to Virginia soon.”

  “I’ll pass the news on to Genie, but I’d rather talk about why you’ve called.”

  A strange sting burned behind Ale’s eyes, and then tears were flowing down his cheeks. He made no movement to dry them.

  Rafa’s concerned voice came through the phone. “Alejandro? You always get quiet when you’re holding something in.”

  Ale sniffed loudly.

  “And you never cry.”

  Ale laughed harshly. “A lot has happened in the last few days.”

  “Ever since Audrey showed up?”

  Ale’s efforts at ignoring the masked teasing beneath his brother’s sorry attempt to sound somber failed. “Did I say Audrey had anything to do with this?” he ground out.

  “You just did.”

  Ale threaded a hand through his loose hair all the way to the base of his neck. “I can’t get her out of my mind, bro. And what’s more, she’s… I heard you patched things up with Mom and went back to church.”

  “I did. Best decision I ever made.”

  The certainty in his voice brought a fresh wave of moisture to Ale’s eyes. “Our mother kicked us out.”

  “Best decision she ever made.” Rafa laughed lightly. “Look how her boys turned out. Tough love hurts, bro, but for certain kids, it’s necessary.”

  Rafa was right. Tough love had propelled them both into careers where they could be tough on criminals. Their mother’s decision made logical sense. Did Rafa come
to the same conclusion? Did he just accept their mother’s choice? “Hey, what happened to Ricardo?”

  “Ric? Last I heard he joined the Marines, or Special Forces. Something like that.”

  He’d find his brother later. “How did you do it? Return home?”

  Rafa let out a long sigh. “In California, I was involved in a dangerous gang. I met a police officer who encouraged me to return to our faith, and Genie later reminded me about the true extent of forgiveness.”

  Ale swallowed thickly. Faith and forgiveness. Was God actually telling him something? First Audrey and now Rafa. “And what about Father?”

  “Well, that’s another story all together, and one that mamá won’t discuss, so I’ve stopped asking about it. I think she’s still dealing with the pain of his leaving. And it’s his loss, Alejandro. By no fault of his own, he has three sons who could’ve turned out a lot worse.”

  The reason his father left might always elude them, but Rafa was right — their lives could have gone down a terrible path. Thank God for mamá. “You’re right, Rafa.”

  The safe house came into view, and Ale’s call with his brother would soon end — but there would be more calls. God, I know I haven’t exactly acknowledged you for years, but… I’m back.

  “Oyé, Ale. Where are you?”

  “Dude, I was praying.”

  “Okay, well thanks for wasting a couple of my minutes.”

  “If you don’t have an unlimited minutes and data plan—” He heard Rafa laugh. “You’re just plain cheap. Look, man, thanks.”

  Rafa’s laughter tapered off and he cleared his throat. “No problem — we’re brothers. Now, are you going to bring Audrey home?”

  The smile in his brother’s voice brought out one of his own. Ale parked the vehicle and exited quickly. He rounded the block, now only meters from safety. Knowing Audrey was just beyond the door widened his grin. “No problem.”

  ****

  Sweet chills ran through her, followed by flushing heat the moment the metal door slammed shut. Confident and heavy boot steps sounded through the hallway, making their way ever so determinedly in her direction. Audrey’s lower jaw slacked, her mouth suddenly dry in anticipation.

  What is your problem? Nothing can happen. You can’t let anything happen. If he gets close to you— A hand went to her throat as her eyes drifted closed, the memory of his lips slowing her breathing, his whispered words of comfort filling her soul with longing for him.

  Silence.

  Eyelids shot up, her heart thumping… thumping… thumping. She coughed, sucking in air and expelling it quickly before swallowing the last of the moisture in her mouth into her parched throat. Dropping her hand from her throat, she leaned over her sleeping nephew and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

  “You’re going to be great. Boys need their mothers — a strong female influence.” Audrey turned at the sound of Ale’s voice. He moved from the doorway, his substantial form encroaching on her invisible bubble of protection, and if he took one more step the bubble would…

  Pop.

  Breathing ceased as her eyes flitted to his and held, captured by the intensity she read in them. The heat of his hands singed the sides of her face before contact, and when he cradled her in them, his eyes holding fast to hers, she knew all the preparatory pronouncements she’d made to herself to diffuse the building passion between them would never be enough to stop this man, or her, from saying “yes” to what could be.

  Oh, God, I need some sort of sign! I want him. Need him. I—

  “Audrey, you look terrified. Did something happen?”

  Brows puckered, concern etched in his features, Audrey relaxed. His mind wasn’t on, well… I’m the only one thinking about… “I’m better now that you’re here.”

  She hoped her throaty whisper hadn’t just roused the roguish look in his eyes, or the impish grin spreading his chiseled features, creating dimples she could drown in. She moved back to the bed, and taking a seat next to Angel, she fingered the soft, silky strands of his shaggy, dark hair. In a glance, she saw Ale watching her through a squint, his mouth in a hazardous smirk. The bed dipped beneath his weight as he took a seat next to her near the end of the bed. She arched her back, the heat of his proximity warming her.

  “Did you turn Carlos?” she asked, hoping a conversation would take her mind off how handsome he looked in a fitted black T-shirt and blue jeans, or how his musky scent mixed with the faint odor of grease caused her to inhale so deeply her lungs strained from their fullness.

  “Yes. I told him about Angel and he gave me Alba. This will all be over tomorrow night.”

  Audrey nodded, stroking the cheek of her sleeping nephew, thankful the end was now defined.

  Strong hands gripped her upper arms. “He wants to see Angel, but I didn’t promise him anything. As soon as we have Carlos, Alba, and Trujillo in custody, we’ll put you on a plane to Virginia, and the US Marshals in DC will keep you safe.”

  The marshals in DC. Not him. He was going to put her on a plane and let her go. Turn around and leave. “You’re not going to take us?” She meant to keep that question in her head, but it was too late. It was out, and so were her feelings… as if her kisses hadn’t given him a clue. Her only saving grace was that her back was still to him, and she couldn’t see his reaction. She guessed his shocked look would turn, followed by a crestfallen one, telling her it’d been interesting while it lasted. Even the kissing was phenomenal, but she had a kid to raise and his life had no room for her, a child… or God.

  Instead, she heard him chuckle lightly. “Well, I did promise my brother I’d bring you home.”

  “Your brother?” She whirled. When had they spoken? Did he actually make that promise? Moreover, would he follow through?

  “I was on the phone with him before walking in.”

  She turned away. “Oh.” It was all she could say. He was reconnecting with family. What did that mean?

  “That’s all you got? ‘Oh?’ Not going to ask what we talked about?”

  She couldn’t resist a glance over her shoulder. An edge of his lip quirked up before sliding into a knee-melting half grin. Thank goodness I’m sitting down! “I’m still in shock.”

  Dimples. “I know, so am I.” His brows raised as his gaze drifted away. “I haven’t heard Rafael’s voice in… years. I didn’t believe it when you said he was an agent, and I certainly thought it beyond the realm of possibility when you said he’d returned to church.”

  “He’d made mistakes in his life and wanted redemption — and he found it.”

  “I know the feeling.”

  She heard his whisper loud and clear. There was a light in his eyes she hadn’t noticed before and an ease about his square jaw that spoke volumes about his mindset and heart, despite the looming raid. “You mean…”

  He reached out and stroked the covers over a lump that was obviously Angel’s foot. He grasped it for a moment before patting it and withdrawing his hand. “Uh, yeah.”

  His throaty voice held emotion she, too, was feeling. He knew the feeling? He knows the feeling.

  “I guess when this is all over and we get you and Angel back to Virginia,” he fingered a wayward lock of hair, brushing it back over her shoulder, “I’ll attend church with the family.” His gaze locked with hers, his eyes filling with panic. “And you?”

  Well, I asked for a sign. She beamed at him and laughter bubbled in her chest. Ale shushed her through a smile, pointing at the sleeping child beside her. She covered her mouth with her hands and only dropped them when the laughter subsided.

  Ale cocked a teasing brow at her. “So me finding faith is humorous?”

  She shook her head. “Oh, no. It’s just… I’ve prayed for a sign—”

  “You prayed for me.”

  “You know I did.”

  “And I can’t thank you enough,” he whispered, taking her hands in his, his eyes full of the gratitude she now felt toward God for answering another prayer.

 
She trained her voice to stay low. Angel needed his rest, not an aunt who could barely contain her excitement over a man who for so long had endured pain and heartache and now he was free. And perhaps free to be with… “Have you talked to your mother?”

  His eyes dropped to their hands as he squeezed hers while expelling a breath, this time strained. “No, not yet. I plan to, after I get some food in me.”

  She gripped his hands back. “She’ll be so happy, Alejandro.” There’s something to be said about prayer warriors.

  “I still don’t think a reconciliation with my dad is a good idea.”

  “I understand.”

  “But I no longer feel that… that maybe I can’t be around kids because of him.” He released one of her hands and rubbed Angel’s blanket-covered leg. “Trust me, I won’t let anything happen to this kid. Carlos won’t take him away.”

  The resolution in his voice gave her hope for a favorable ending to this operation. He gripped her hand firmly, and she took comfort in his protection and… love?

  He hadn’t said the words, nor did he imply he’d any feelings beyond, well, those that were often cooked up in intense situations. I’ve been kidding myself. All those years of working with children at church, she hadn’t had much time for anything else, much less meaningful contact with men. When I get home, I’m going to get myself a man. Then she’d know when one was really interested in her and when one was interested in… other things. Not that both types of men wouldn’t be interested in the latter, but at least one of them would have real, true feelings for her.

  She stood, pulling her hand away. His head shot up and she felt his gaze even though she couldn’t meet it. “So ah, tomorrow the raid will happen and this will all be over with?” Audrey busied herself with the few toys Angel had, gathering them into a pile on the small table in the opposite corner of the room. She turned back to the bed and gasped. She hadn’t heard Ale move across the room.

  He slipped an arm around her waist, dragging her against his body. Eyes glazed with desire, his dimples deepened as he watched her struggle. “Why are you fighting me?” he whispered, leaning close to her ear, nibbling the bottom of her lobe.