Page 67 of Bound and Blitzed

Papá’s eyes snap to mine. Alejandro stares at me like he’s seeing me for the first time.

“Excuse me?” Mamá says.

“You dare to disrespect your mother this way,” Papá tacks on.

“Disrespect?” I laugh, gesturing toward my family. “You showed up on my doorstep on Christmas morning demanding that I leave my husband because you think my marriage is a mistake.”

Mamá sucks in a breath.

“I’ve been in Tennessee for months. None of you have ever come to see and learn about my life, about the work I’m doing here. I’ve dedicated my entire career to a topic I care about yet the first time you show up, it’s because you don’t like that I married a good man. A man you know nothing about. You want to talk about disrespect?” I stare at each of my family members. My sister winks at me conspiratorially and I continue. “I’m a grown woman. An adult. I’ve lived on my own for years. I’ve completed field research, surviving for weeks in forests and jungles. I’ve finished a bachelor’s and a master’s degree program, both with honors, and published papers. You have not asked about, or shown interest in, anything that I’ve cared about for years. And when I finally find a partner who cares about my interests?—”

“Really? He cares about birds?” Ale cuts in, gesturing toward Avery.

“Solely because they are important to me,” I bite out, giving my brother a look. “Isn’t that enough?” I tilt my head. “But now, you all show up and try to tell me this is a mistake? Are you serious?” I shake my head. “Your disrespect for me, for my husband, for my marriage, is not only hurtful, it’s unwarranted. Being concerned is one thing. Being headstrong, uncompromising, and demanding is quite another. You are in my home.” I point to my chest. “And I’m introducing you to my husband.” I lift my joined hand with Avery’s. “His name is Avery Callaway, and I love him.”

For long seconds no one speaks. No one moves. I’m not sure my parents even breathe.

Finally, my sister stands and moves toward Avery. She wraps him in a hug and smiles. “Merry Christmas, Callaway. You sure you want to be married into our brand of madness?”

Chapter21

Avery

After Valentina stood her ground,her family settled down. Kind of.

It was a quiet, resigned type of acceptance. One that was awkward and stifled. One that let me know that Valentina may have won this battle, but the war is far from over.

I hid in the kitchen, desperately trying to concoct something for Christmas Day lunch.

“Don’t stress out. The pastries and bagels were a nice touch and will hold everyone over for a bit,” Carla says, peeking into the liquor cabinet.

“I have a wine cellar.” I point to the living room.

“Mamá has already started in on the second bottle.”

“Excellent,” I mutter. I suppose the addition of alcohol could go one of two ways—spike everyone’s anger and remove whatever restraint they’re currently hanging onto to avoid ripping into me or turn us into one big, loud, happy family. I pray it’s the latter.

“And I have a feeling Raia would have ordered lunch and dinner as well,” Carla adds.

Raia! “I need to thank my sister.”

Carla grins and passes me my phone. “I’ll give you a minute.”

Once she leaves the kitchen and I hear her join Valentina and their family, I quickly read through the messages sent by my sister and Cohen.

Sighing, I dial Raia.

“How’s it going?” she answers on the first ring.

“It’s him? He called already?” I hear Cohen in the background.

“Yep! Pay up, sucker,” Raia replies.

“What are you talking about?” I frown before realization knocks into me. “Are y’all betting on?—”

“So many things, bro. And I’m losing,” Cohen hollers.

“Take me off speaker,” I tell Raia.

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