Page 109 of Falling for the Enemy

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Twenty hours, twelve minutes, eight seconds.

That’s how long it’s been since I last glimpsed Ari’s blue eyes or heard her seductive voice. With each second that passes, I slide closer to taking a plunge into a dark abyss I’m unsure I’d recover from.

Only one thing is stopping my descent.

Mi amor is alive.

Though she has yet to wake up from the life-saving surgery she received shortly after being admitted, I’ve been repeatedly assured that her continued unconsciousness is nothing to be alarmed by.

The amount of blood she lost was extensive.

But surprisingly, the bullets Stefano fired into her didn’t do as much damage as they could’ve. One nicked an artery, nearly killing her, but the other two embedded themselves into muscle.

The concussion she received from the blast, the second she’s had since I’ve known her, only served to further complicate things. Regardless, she’s expected to make a full recovery.

For now, however, we have to wait.

At least that’s what her doctor keeps asking me to do. Be patient and just wait. She’ll wake when she’s ready, he’s assured me. Her body just needs time to heal from the trauma.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say the little shit was doing this on purpose. Ari loves to taunt me. I wouldn’t put it past her to remain sleeping merely because she knows it’s driving me out of my mind.

Despite the situation, I smile at the thought.

“Hermanito.”

I look up from Ari’s hand, which I hold in mine, my thumb caressing her knuckles, over to my sister. Seated on the other side of the hospital bed alone since Jade left ten minutes ago, she stares at me, stress lining her face.

“What are you smiling about?”

I nod to my woman. “Her.” Exhaling, I rub my free hand down my face. I haven’t slept since Ari was shot and I don’t plan to until she wakes. “She’s all I ever think about anymore. Even before she was hurt.”

Smirking, Carmen stands and straightens the blanket covering Ari’s lower half, tucking it tightly against her sides.

Having her here while everyone else is locked down and unable to visit is the only thing that’s helped calm the murderous fury that boils beneath my skin.

When I get my fucking hands on Stefano…

“You truly love her, don’t you?”

I don’t hesitate. “With my entire soul.”

Nodding, she sits back down and crosses her legs. “Well, then. How long until the wedding?” She waggles her brows. “And when are you giving me a niece or nephew? I don’t have any of those, Alejandro. I need a few.”

Jesucristo.

I chuckle. “Not sure about the wedding part. It depends on if I can convince Hermosa to marry me.”

Not that I’ll take no for an answer; I won’t. If I have to handcuff and muzzle her, then drag her little ass down the aisle so be it. I’m not telling my sister that, though. She’ll knock my head off before I have the chance to duck.

“As for kids”—I nod to Ari—“that’s her choice.”

Her face softens. “Good answer. Now—”

“Would you get outta my dadgum way, ya overgrown grizzly? You may be so dang delicious looking that I could stand here and stare at you all day, but I’m trying to deliver some food.”

A familiar voice floats into the room.

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