Page 93 of Hidden By His Side

“Sorry to pull you out here for nothing,” Ramiro said.

“It wasn’t for nothing. Tampering on this end had to be eliminated as a possibility.” Diego studied him. “You know, my world hasn’t narrowed in the way you think it has. If you need me, I’m there. You’re important to me, too, Ram, and my life didn’t end now that I have kids.”

Ramiro opened his mouth to argue, but when Diego scowled at him, he switched tactics. “Fine. I’ll drag you away from Hannah and her kids as often as I can. Happy now?”

“Fuck you. Not gonna lie, I enjoy my time with them the most, and I appreciate you letting me have that. It’s my choice to spend my days with them. It’s not Hannah tying me down, or whatever shit you’ve been thinking.”

The idea of Summer tying him down wasn’t a terrible image. Ramiro flushed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You’re such an asshole.” Diego stretched, pushing up from the chair. “How is Summer?”

“Perfect.” Ramiro rubbed a hand over his face and down his beard. “Every moment with her is so fucking perfect that I’m scared it’s going to end.”

Diego laughed. “It’s both the best and the worst feeling, isn’t it?” He lifted a hand, his back already to him. “I’m getting back to my perfect life.”

Ramiro watched him leave before dragging the computer and monitor to his trunk, as well as the flowered computer mouse she liked so much. After he slammed the trunk closed, he glanced around, but all was quiet.

He took the long way around town, keeping an eye on his rearview mirror. There was nothing, but after half an hour and multiple turns, one clunker far back caught his attention.

Ramiro pulled over after he turned the next corner, waiting. The clunker came around the corner as he expected, but when he noticed Ash behind the wheel, he relaxed.

The rusted-out Camry pulled over in front of his car, and Ramiro got out. Ash had to crank down the window, the car was so old.

“Where’d you find this piece of shit?” he asked.

Ash shrugged. “I’ve got a few spread around town.”

Ramiro sighed. “I thought I told you to take off?”

“You did.” Ash leaned an elbow out the window. “Just had to check.”

Ramiro looked behind him. “See anything?”

Ash shook his head. “If they were tailing you, they got lost a while back. You nearly shook me off.”

Ramiro studied the man, but like usual, he couldn’t get a good read on him. “You don’t normally do extra.”

Ash shrugged. “It wasn’t for you.”

Ramiro’s mouth went dry. Ash was younger than him, closer to Summer’s age, and flirty. Much closer to what he’d always pictured for her.

“I’m not giving her up,” he warned.

Ash smiled, this one not a smirk, just small and self-deprecating. “I wouldn’t dream of stepping on toes. As I said, just checking.”

Ramiro nodded, but his shoulders still felt tight.

“Don’t leave her alone too long.” Ash pulled his arm back in and completed the slow crank to roll the window back up.

Ramiro stared after him, annoyed that after so many years, he still didn’t know the man well at all.

The rest of the weekend was uneventful. Ramiro said little when he’d gotten home, but he’d worked in his office until it was late. Summer fell asleep on the couch waiting for him but woke up snuggling with him in bed.

The fire at the office had bothered him, especially not knowing how it had been set. Summer couldn’t help with that, so she did the things she could by making him coffee and lunch and urging him to take breaks when he’d been sitting too long. She squealed a little when he dragged her onto his lap during the third break and kissed her breathless.

He rested his forehead against hers while she panted for air, her heart racing. “Sorry for working so much, baby girl. Why don’t we cuddle on the couch for a bit?”

“If you have more to do, you should focus on that. I know it’s important, and I like supporting you while you work.”

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