Page 110 of Falling for the Enemy

“And listen here, if my freshly-baked and extra-buttered biscuits get cold before my grandbabies have the chance to eat ‘em, I’m gonna pull out my swatter and go to town on your buns of steel.”

I drop my head back and groan.

I’m already dealing with Anna FaceTiming me every five minutes to check Ari’s status, now I have to deal with Grandmama too?

Carmen abruptly stands. “I’ll get her.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Si, do that before she tries to swat Nikolai and traumatizes him for life.”

The Kings—my men as well—may be capable of taking on a lethal enemy, but none of them would stand a chance against the loca Southern woman standing just outside the door, staring Manzana's enforcer down.

Again, I chuckle as Grandmama continues to go in circles with the King guarding the door. He has no idea what he’s done by engaging with her. He’ll be lucky to escape without a hand-shaped bruise covering his—

My heart freezes, forgetting how to beat when fingers brush my palm, their acrylic tips tickling my calloused skin. I suck in a breath, my chest nearly exploding when I snap my gaze forward, and my eyes crash into a pair of half-lidded icy blue ones.

“Fuck…”

I’m man enough to admit that if I wasn’t already sitting, my knees would have buckled and I would’ve hit the floor. The sight of Ari alive, and now awake, her lips fighting to pull up in a small smile, hits me harder than any bullet I’ve ever taken.

I stand, the tension that lines each of my muscles fleeing, and lean over the hospital bed’s rails. Hands cupping her gorgeous face, I gently rest my forehead against hers, my vision blurring.

“You kept your vow to stay by my side,” I whisper, my thumbs caressing her warm cheeks. “You kept it, baby.”

A tear slides down her cheek.

Whether it’s hers or mine, I don’t know.

“Good girl, Manzana.”

My heart starts to beat once more, all of its broken pieces snapping back into place when she lifts her hand and weakly palms my throat, her exhale the sweetest breath I’ve ever inhaled.

“Good fucking girl.”

I trail my lips down her face, leaving soft kisses in their wake before burying my face in her neck, the steady thump of her pulse bleeding into me, soothing my demons in a way that no one else can.

Not even Carmen.

“Krasavchik…”

“I’m right here.” Lifting her free hand, I press it to my chest, above the place where my heart pounds. “Not going anywhere, either.”

From my peripheral, I see Carmen silently watching us. Grandmama, too. Both have tears running down their cheeks as Nikolai stands behind them, barking into his phone, undoubtedly passing the news on to Casper.

All three wear matching expressions of relief.

Ones that likely mirror my own.

Ari inhales shakily, commanding my attention once more. “Ya lyublyu tebya.”

Eyes closing, my lips part, the declaration of love she just whispered acting as a balm to my pained soul.

“Te amo con el alma.” Needing to look at her as I continue, I pull back, my stare locking with hers once more. “And I always will, Mi Reina.”

Every word is a vow tattooed on our hearts.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Ari

---