Page 60 of To Have and To Hold

Around us, the music resumed, and the people began to talk amongst themselves.

“That was spectacular,” I said.

“It was nice,” he replied, staring down at me. “I prefer this view.”

I sucked in a breath. “I’m afraid I’ll wake up tomorrow and this will all have been a dream.”

He shook his head.

“What time is it?”

Em looked at his watch. “We still have over an hour to safely get you back toel Patr?n.” He pointed to the north. “From here you can see San Diego.”

“It looks so pretty from here.”

“I always want you to see it that way. Don’t let the darkness I see overshadow the light you see.” He turned us to the left. “See those lights down there?”

I nodded.

“Plaza Monumental de Tijuana. Or some people call it the Bullring by the Sea.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a stadium in Tijuana.”

“In Mexico?” My neck stiffened. “How far are we from the border?”

“Five miles.”

Suddenly, the air felt cooler as I looked around at the crowd. “How can we be that close and it be calm?”

“It just is. Most realities are different than the way we’re told to believe.”

That was the truth. I was still reeling from the difference in what I thought it would be like with the cartel to the way it actually was.

Em tilted his chin toward the Tin Fish. “Ice cream?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I may never eat again.”

“Then how about a walk on the beach?”

“I’d like that.”

I took off my shoes and wiggled my toes in the soft white sand. Carrying my shoes in one hand, my other hand was securely in Em’s grasp. The sound of the surf and the salt-filled air created a peaceful setting. We were a few minutes into our stroll when I asked, “What does this mean for tonight or tomorrow?”

“This?”

“You and I. Honestly, I’m afraid if we tell others that my mother or father will find out and send one of their guards to take me home.”

Em stopped walking and turned to me. “That won’t happen.”

“You don’t know them. I was talking to my mother earlier today, and she said that I’ve changed. She said she was going to talk to Papà and wanted me to go back to Kansas City right away.”

By the light of the moon, I saw Em’s jaw clench. He brought his thumb to my cheek, stroking my face. “I’d marry you tonight. That wouldn’t be good for you, me, or the alliance. We need to give Jano and Dario a chance to make this work.”

“What if they don’t?”

“Do you want to marry me?”

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