Page 102 of Abandoned Oaths

“So, I have days off?” Her eyes lit up.

“Looks like it.” Cruz chuckled and went back to the couch. “Let’s watch a movie.”

Javier walked out of the surveillance room. “Nice try. His heads up is a sign he’s doing something we need to watch.”

Cruz dropped his head back and groaned.

“Come on. You and I are on babysitting duty.” Javier looked like he was enjoying this.

Cruz threw his arms out and kicked his legs like a toddler throwing a tantrum. “I don’t wanna!”

Emilia giggled. Javier moved to the door and slipped on shoes.

“Sorry, bud. Time to work. Marco is watching the feeds. Find a way to be useful,” he told us as Cruz slumped toward the door.

Javier opened it and rolled his eyes as Cruz passed. “Wish me luck.”

“Have fun!” Emilia called to them before the door shut.

I glanced around the living room, taking in the rare silence. “Now what?”

She shrugged. “Back to sparring?”

I cringed. “Nah.”

“Movie?”

I shook my head.

“Swimming?” Her brows rose.

“That one.” I pointed and headed to our room.

She rushed past me. “Race ya’!”

Despite her taunting, I took my time changing and grabbing towels for us. By the time I got to the roof, she was already in the water.

“You’re the rotten egg.”

I put my hand on my chest and gasped. “You didn’t say those were the stakes.”

She lifted a shoulder. “It was implied.”

I dropped the towels onto one of the chairs and cannonballed next to her.

“Hey!” she laughed, pushing her hair out of her face.

I cackled and ducked my head, reveling in the cool sensation. This was exactly what I needed.

When I resurfaced, Emilia was floating on her back with her eyes closed. She looked more peaceful than she had . . . well, since I met her.

I watched her from the side, memorizing every exposed inch. I didn’t want anything disturbing this moment, but of course, one of my brothers would ruin it.

“Why wasn’t I invited to the party?” Marco asked as he slid into the water.

Emilia opened her eyes and smiled at him. “You’re supposed to be working.”

He scrunched his nose. “Cruz and Javier are tailing Dias, so I can take a break.”

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