Page 76 of Knot Yours

“Yes, but I’ve left a lot. I didn’t want anything from Dario.”

“I’ll see that they’re all discarded,” my father promises.

Austin guides me onto one of the bistro seats and says, “I’ll gather our stuff while you hang out here, okay?” He glances at my new best friend and commands, “Piper, wache.”

Her ears perk up, and she moves to sit right next to me. The men in the room take notice, and my abuelo asks, “What did he say to her?”

Glancing at the stairs, I answer, “He gave Piper charge over me. I’m hers to protect until Austin comes back.”

Austin

I call the pilot, who’s been blissfully insulated from the turmoil happening on the island. Knot flew back commercially, leaving the jet behind to ensure a safe exit for Marisol and me.

Stan tells me he’ll have the plane ready in an hour, for which I’m grateful. I’m ready to get off this god-forsaken island.

Marisol’s and my bags are set by the door minutes later. I return to the kitchen to see the kitchen staff finishing up and pick up my coffee that Ruiz had just refilled. “When will the plane be ready,” he asks.

“An hour, but we don’t have to rush.”

“Actually, the sooner Marisol is off the island, the better,” Otero insists. “I’ve managed to keep the situation under wraps thus far, thanks to Ruiz and his ingenious premature fireworks debacle at the ceremony. Though it would be expected for Dario and Marisol to disappear for a while, eventually, people will begin to look for Adolpho and his men. It would be better for Marisol to be out of reach at that point.”

The potential threat to Marisol’s security draws out my angry side. “What kind of press scrutiny will we have to worry about on the mainland?”

“I expect none. While Dario is… away on his honeymoon, Adolpho will die of a heart attack. The young Cruz will perish in a fiery crash, rushing to his father’s bedside.”

I don’t attempt to hide my skepticism. “How the hell do you expect anyone to buy that story?”

“Ah. You forget who I am,” the wiry old man teases. “I own several members of the press. They’ll print whatever I tell them.”

Shaking my head at his unbelievable reach, I say, “You’re one scary son of a bitch, you know that?”

All traces of the gentle, grandfatherly man disappear, replaced with the cold, calculating mob boss he presents to the rest of the world. “Since you’re taking my granddaughter away, you would do well to remember that.”

“I will.” I offer the man a solemn nod, then counter, “Make sure my promise gets communicated to your heirs. I won’t suffer anyone threatening Marisol for any reason.”

Marisol stares between Otero and me, eyes wide at the overt threats being delivered. Borrero and Ruiz display similar expressions. I think they’re more used to subterfuge and political posturing.

“Ruiz, get the car,” Borrero says to cut the tension.

Borrero’s Casta strolls out, picking up our bags on his way. When I turn back to the group, Otero’s grin has returned. He reaches for Marisol’s hand, lifting it to his lips. “Cariña, my only granddaughter. Live well. Be happy.”

Marisol answers by carefully wrapping her arms around the old man’s neck. “Thank you for helping us. I don’t know if either of us would be alive if you hadn’t.”

She moves to her father next, and Otero approaches me. “You’re a good man, Austin Madden. Only one other man has had the cojones to stand up to me. That’s the kind of man Marisol needs.”

Since I can’t return the sentiment, I nod and accept the man’s extended hand. Marisol ends the long hug with her father with a kiss on his cheek. Cirilo Borrero steps up to me next. “She’s all I have left in this world. Take care of her, or you will die a horrible death.”

Borrero also offers me his hand, the friendly gesture at odds with his words. After the brief but firm handshake, Marisol and I finally turn for the door. Ruiz waits by the car with the back door open.

I smile at the man when we reach the driveway. “Are you going to threaten me now too?”

“No. If you fuck up, I don’t want you to see me coming.” Ruiz saunters to the driver’s side, leaving me standing outside the open door.

Twenty minutes later, Marisol and I are climbing into Knot’s jet just a few minutes before takeoff. Marisol settles into one of the seats, with Piper keeping close and even resting her head on her mistress’s lap. I’ve lost my dog to my woman, but I have no complaints because I get to have them both.

The flight to Norfolk takes three hours. Marisol is asleep in my lap when the pilot announces final approach over the speaker. The distance between us had proven too much, and I pulled her to me after reaching cruising altitude.

While she slept, one of her hands crept beneath my shirt to rest against my heart. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so at peace. I kiss Marisol awake, and she lifts her head from my chest. “It’s time to land. Let’s get you back into your seat.”

---