Page 56 of Velvet Deception

That actually worked out even better. If I knew Ramon was with Señora Vasquez, he’d be even safer there than at home. And I could have the time to drive by the area I thought I heard those Cartel men mention when they gathered at the park.

I had to do whatever I could to protect my woman and the boy I saw as my son now.

No one would hurt them again.

Not on my damn watch.

Not when I could have been the reason the Cartel was lured toward them.

23

SOFIA

Pamela drove me home from work and parked in front of the house. “Oh, those lights are so cute.” She leaned over the steering wheel to see out the side window. It was cracked open, and when she shivered, she laughed. “My God, Sofia. Why did you need to lower that? It’s kind of chilly today.”

It was hardly chilly. She was just one of those people who always seemed cold. Not enough body fat, if anyone were to ask me.

“I just needed some fresh air.” I made a face at the coconut air freshener. “It’s too…” I mocked a gagging face.

She laughed. “It is not that bad. It’s not even that strong.” She plucked it off the rearview mirror stand and sniffed it directly. “It’s faded a lot. I can hardly smell it.”

“Well, I can.”How can younotsmell it?“And it’s gross.”

She tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. “You complained about that patient’s BO today too.”

I nodded. “It was terrible.”

“It was.” She narrowed her eyes even more. “But he was a patient in room one, while you were only in the wing on the other end of the hall for rooms ten through fifteen.”

I shrugged. We were friends, yet not. Sometimes, she was just too silly.

“Sofia…”

I raised my brows. “What?”

“You have a glow. You seem nauseous in the mornings. And now you have a super bloodhound sense of smell?”

“I’m not…”Wait a second now.I opened and closed my mouth. “I’m not. I can’t be pregnant.”

“Can’t?” She huffed a laugh. “You’ve got a new boyfriend you’re trying and failing to keep a secret… How impossible is it, really?”

Not at all.In fact, with how often Diego and I were making love without any protection, it seemed very possible. Maybe even probable.

“Hmm?”

I pulled my lips into my mouth and exhaled through my nose. “I don’t know what to say.”

She giggled, excited. “You say that youmightbe pregnant! Admit it!”

“I haven’t thought about it. I mean… I guess I could get a test and see.”

She patted my knee. “I think you should. It’ll be your little Christmas miracle!”

I smiled. I already had one of those—Diego. He was the only gift I ever could’ve dreamed of. And unwrapping him—taking his clothes off—was always a pleasure as we sought our highs together.

I got out of her car and headed inside. Smiling at the quiet and still home, I put my purse down and wondered if my hunk of a Christmas present was waiting for me in bed. I was sure I could have Ramon go play with Juan so he wouldn’t overhear.

“Diego?” I walked further inside.

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