Page 62 of Life

“Thank you.” I kiss each of his fingers and set my chin on his knuckles, praying nothing will happen to this man because of me. Not another man I care so deeply about.

“For what?”

“It would take all day to list the reasons I’m thankful right now.”

Eli moves his arm out of my grip, places it around my shoulders, and kisses my temple. “Rest, babe. We’ll be home before you know it.”

Home.

I don’t have a home anymore. Did I ever really? The only time I felt at peace was when I lived with Gillian. We were two peas in a pod. For years, that relationship was all I had. Now, I’ve got all three girls and their extended families through Chase and Phillip. And, of course, the Reddings. I still have no idea how Eli and Tommy’s mother and father are going to take this shift. I close my eyes and force myself to repeat the Lord’s Prayer over and over until I fall asleep against Eli’s side.

“This too shall pass, mi niña hermosa.”

The phrase is the first thing I can remember of my childhood that didn’t give me nightmares. My mother whispering those words against my head as she ran her fingers through my hair is something I hear when I need comforting.

This too shall pass…

When we enterEli’s San Francisco home, I’m bum-rushed by a speeding redhead.

“Oh my God, Ria! I was so worried.” Gigi catapults into my arms and sobs dramatically into my neck.

I hold my girl tightly. “Cara bonita, I’m fine. I am fine!” I repeat until her sobbing subsides.

Chase is standing behind us, a soft smile on his lips.

“Sorry, Maria. She wouldn’t wait until you guys were home. A Mr. Scooter let us in with approval from the big guy there.” Chase tips his chin to Eli behind me.

Gigi eventually stops crying. “You scared the hell out of me. Your apartment…” She holds up a hand to her chest. “Those words.” Her lips compress into a line. A determined look comes over her face, and she stiffens her spine. “Between Chase and Elijah, there is no way we’re letting Antonio get anywhere near you.”

I smile, more for her benefit, but appreciate with my whole heart the fervor and grit with which she is speaking.

In order to make a point of how our relationship has progressed since I’ve been gone, I plaster myself to Eli’s side and wrap an arm around his waist. “Eli’s got me. Right,Cazador?” I glance up, beaming.

In front of my best friend and her husband, he dips his head down and takes my lips in a short but telling kiss.

“Oh! Well, yeah…huh…okay then,” Gigi stammers.

“Mr. Redding, I understand your colleague upstairs has some information he wants to share with us.” Chase gestures to the second floor, and then turns to Jack and Austin. “Austin, please stay close to the women.”

“Yes, sir,” he says, his southern drawl prevalent in every vowel.

As Eli heads toward the stairs, I grip his wrist. “No secrets. Whatever Scooter has to say can be said in front of me.”

“Spicy…” He attempts to placate me.

He definitely has some things to learn about me, but I’ve got years to ingrain the nuances of my temper.

“I’m guessing you don’t want me to show you my spicy temper right now, then?” I bat my eyes rapidly, showing I’m not in the mood for this machomierda.

Eli’s gaze sears mine with intention and passion. He clenches his jaw and grinds his teeth from side to side. I know he doesn’t like it, but he also knows I’m right. I wait patiently for him to come to the only conclusion that will not get him a kick to the shin and a cold bed tonight.

He licks his lips and grins before wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “She’s right. The best way to keep her safe is to keep her vigilant. Come on, ladies.”

As we’re walking up the stairs I nudge his side. “You’re so getting laid tonight,” I whisper, so only he can hear.

“Like there was ever a doubt. You want my cock just as much as I want to stick it in you.”

I pretend to be thinking about it while we make our way up. “Cierto.” True, I admit under my breath.

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