Page 40 of Velvet Deception

“If I do walk outside, I’ll be sure to borrow a hat.” Since I was standing next to her closet, I grabbed a straw one hanging on a hook.

She gave me a lopsided smile. “I’m not sure that’s your style.”

I laughed, putting it back. “I’m not sure I’m ready to wander from here—even just to explore.” I sobered. “After those men came here yesterday, I feel like I want to protect the fort.”

“Mama!” Ramon called. “We’re going to be late.”

“I’ll see you when you’re home,” I said, kissing her before we left the room.

As soon as they headed out for their days, I peered around the home that wasn’t mine but could be. I did end up napping for a few hours, but that was probably only because I’d exerted myself more than usual yesterday, both in fighting and killing those druggies and in fucking my sweet little angel.

Determined to prove to Sofia that I meant what I said, that I’d be here to protect them and not abandon her, that she could trust me as a member of her limited circle, I tried to prepare dinner for when they’d be home. A small radio kept my company, and as I listened to the music and acquainted myself in the kitchen more, I realized that my memory loss really was selective. The tunes were familiar. Even the voice of the broadcaster. The commercials, as well.

Just nothing aboutme.

At this point, I wasn’t sure if getting my memories back would do me more harm than good. We fell into a domestic arrangement. Me staying in to relax and read, sometimes doing calisthenic exercises. When they came home, I had food ready and helped Ramon with homework. And at night, I slept in Sofia’s bed with her in my arms. She still seemed hesitant about sex at times, but I didn’t push her. Besides, it was becoming a challenge to be quiet.

Ramon had definitely noticed that I no longer slept on the couch, but he was a good kid and didn’t get nosy to ask what was going on.

Sofia smiled more and more often, but when Ramon asked if he could just come home to be here with me instead of sticking with Señora Vasquez and Juan next door, she hesitated.

“Well, you can’t be going around and telling people that Diego lives here,” she reminded him.

“I know, Mama. I haven’t told anyone.”

She nodded.

I had to wonder how she would introduce me someday. Not as what. But how she would ease me into their lives. I couldn’t stay cooped up forever. I was giving myself time to regain my memories in case it could direct me to my former employment. I hated that I couldn’t pitch in.

“You can’t tell any boys in the neighborhood, either,” she said. “I know how you boys start to gossip.”

“Gossip is for girls, Mama.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m just afraid?—”

Someone knocked on the front door. “Ramon?”

It was just Juan. “Ramon, can you play?”

He glanced at Sofia, and she nodded, then he ran out of the kitchen, finished with dinner.

Before she could move to the side, I snagged her by the waist and pulled her onto my lap. The chair wobbled, and we both laughed as I kept her close. “Angel, I do intend to get a job and help. I understand that it would be helpful to wait a little longer and see if my memories return, if I have a job that I’d left to go back to…”

“No. It’s not just that.” She cupped my face, gazing at me with sweet concern.

“I really don’t think I was a doctor,” I added.

“No, I don’t think so either,” she said. “And if you were, going back to that hospital that the Cartel controls would be signing your death sentence.”

She’d said it several times before, that the big, bad Cartel must have been behind why I was knocked out. But I didn’t agree. It seemed like a reach. Like a generalized assumption thatallbad or violent things that happened there had to mean the Cartel had done it. I wasn’t trying to downplay that the Cartel had kidnapped her from there. Not at all. I just couldn’t convince myself that the Cartel was at fault.

I honestly had no clue what to think of the Cartel. I knew it existed around here. It was common knowledge, but that was all my brain had for me.

“I’m afraid that if someone tried to kill you once, and they see you out and about, they’ll try to kill you again.”

“You can’t let your fears of the Cartel control you forever, my angel.”

She nodded, dipping her chin.

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