Page 53 of Till Death Do Us Part

He didn’t say he loved me, but I wasn’t expecting that.

He went on, “And anyone who is important to me is a weakness. That was abundantly clear tonight when Rei told me about the men who ambushed his car.” The muscles in his arms tightened as he balled his fingers into fists. “So, whenPadresaid to bring you here, I didn’t hesitate. Until we figure out who is responsible for breaking into our home, and Silas is overseeing security, you—my weakness—will be where you are safe.”

“Does my brother know where I am?”

“Only cartel know, and only a limited number of us. If Herrera is trying to take us down, we can’t be sure of who to trust.” His expression softened. “Not many people are welcomed onto Bella. You’re an honored guest. And more importantly you’refamilia.”

“This yacht is like something out of the movies.”

“It’s strategic. You saw the flag?”

I nodded.

“In international waters, a ship or yacht is governed by the flag they fly.Mi padreis close enough to handle matters in California, yet not staying in the States, therefore not subject to their laws.”

He grimaced as he tugged the black t-shirt over his head, revealing his toned abdomen while simultaneously reminding me of his injury.

“Does it hurt?”

“Like a motherfucker. The doctor gave me pain meds, but I prefer to be mostly clear when dealing withmi padre.”

“Mostly?”

Aléjandro opened a cupboard and pulled out a crystal decanter filled with a light amber liquid. “Tequila.” He lifted two glasses. “Would you like a drink?”

I looked down at myself and back up. “I need a shower.”

“Coincidence, so do I.”

Pressing my lips together, I narrowed my eyes.

He pointed to his arm. “I’m injured. I thought you could reciprocate our earlier shower and wash me. I’d hate to rip the stitches.”

Aléjandro was doing what I’d thought a day ago to be impossible: making me more comfortable around him. Perhaps it was by isolation. While I didn’t really know my husband, I knew him better than I knew anyone else around us.

“I can do that.”

He poured a few fingers of liquor into one of the glasses. “Did you decide on the drink?”

Inhaling, I walked closer. “Let’s see, I was married yesterday. Today, I was shown my new home, taken to a cartel hideout where I was ambushed—your description. And where my husband was recovering from a stabbing. I learned I might be a target and then discovered someone had broken into our new home and ransacked our bedroom. Oh, and then we flew in a helicopter to a superyacht strategically floating outside of US waters.”

His dark gaze shone with amusement. “That about sums it up.”

“Yes on the drink. Make it a double.”

Aléjandro handed me the glass he’d already poured. Next, he poured his own and lifted the glass.

I lifted mine to his.

The two crystal tumblers clinked.

“May you never grow bored with our life.”

I scoffed and took a drink, before coughing.

“Take it easy,” he said. “I don’t plan to lose you to tequila.”

The alcohol warmed my circulation. “That’s a lot for two days. I’m thinking a little more boring would be all right.”

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