Page 59 of Sold Blood
"Not until after we shower," Carlos says in a demanding tone.
"I don't think I can move," I say, my words raspy.
Isaiah laughs and pulls me against him, rubbing my back. “I'm sorry, baby, I should be taking better care of you." He kisses my face and runs his fingers through my hair.
"We both should be, I think you've had the rougher end of it tonight," Carlos says, handing me a glass of water. "For your throat. You two relax while I start the shower."
"We need to invest in a bigger tub," I say lazily. Carlos's laughter carries through the room even after he's already in the bathroom.
"With the size of Carlos, we may need a bigger everything soon," Isaiah says, kissing me on the lips.
"All right, shower's ready," Carlos yells from the hallway.
"Don't worry, Roo, you know I got you." Isaiah lifts me in his arms, carrying me to the shower. He helps me out of my romper after my feet hit the cold tile. Carlos is already under the hot water with his naked muscular body on complete display.
Luckily his shower is bigger than ours back home, but it's still a pretty tight fit when Isaiah and I step in behind him. We all take turns washing each other's bodies. I stay in the middle most of the time, needing to have both of their hands on me. Carlos washes my back side while Isaiah washes my front. I lean my face into Carlos' neck, yawning. "Almost done, Little one, someone still needs their hair washed." Long strong fingers caress my scalp while another person's moves up and down the back of my head. I practically melt where I stand.
I close my eyes, dozing off for a few seconds. My eyes flash open when the shower turns off. A towel wraps around me and they both guide me to the bed. Carlos pulls off the top sheet, tossing it to the floor and grabs a folded blanket from a nearby chair. I crawl onto the mattress, collapsing onto the soft, clean sheets, burying my face in the pillow. A large thick blanket isdraped over my body and two warm bodies cage me in. I turn to my side as large arms and two legs are wrapped around me. I blink sleepily, smiling at Carlos. "Will you come home with us to Kansas?"
He brushes my hair behind my ear and presses a kiss to my forehead. "If that's what you both want. There isn't much for me here besides an empty house with zero memories."
"It's what we both want," Isaiah says from behind me, reaching for Carlos's hand.
"It's what we both need," I say, holding onto Carlos's stare.
"It's what I need too," he whispers.
I realize that before I was in paradise and now, I've officially reached Nirvana.
Epilogue
Carlos
Six months later
I slide into the car beside Joey, squeezing his thigh between my fingers. "Hey, Little one. Here to give me a ride home?"
"Yes, you work too damn hard."
I laugh, relaxing against the seat as the driver pulls onto the road. We must have interviewed over a hundred people until Isaiah was satisfied. He trusts people less now and with good reason. "Not as hard as I used to. Someone makes sure of that."
He leans his head on my shoulder. "You have other obligations now."
"I do." I lean my head against his, staring out the window, watching the buildings be replaced with large trees the closer we get to being home. Joey had thought it was best we started fresh in a new place. A place where the three of us could grow together. Neither Isaiah nor I had argued with the idea, mostlybecause we both knew Joey would get his way regardless. A house is only a house to me. Joey and Isaiah are my real home.
The driver pulls in front of the gated driveway, hitting a button to open it. There's a guard standing on each side, stepping out of the way when they recognize who we are. It's something I had to get used to. I had never needed guards or anyone to protect me, but I was only one person. With the line of work I do, it's easier to remain hidden than it is for two cartel bosses. My father, Marcus, had wanted me to work with them. He said I would be a good addition, but I’d turned down the offer. As much as it would be good to see my father more, it isn’t for me. I am a hitman, an assassin, trained by my father and it is enough for me. I didn't need more the way he always did. I had never cared to be sitting behind a large desk and ordering people around daily wasn't my thing.
Isaiah is standing at the door in one of his suits when we reach the front of the house. Even though it is winter, it's still way too hot to be walking outside covered head to toe in thick black clothing. Isaiah doesn’t care. He and Miguel were similar in that way while I am more like Marcus, never caring to dress to impress. Always preferring to work in comfort every chance we got. Joey is different all together and always full of surprises with his silly ties and lace vests underneath his jackets. It’s fitting for him.
We step out of the car, getting out on the same side. Isaiah's lips turn up in the corners. "How are my men today? Get lots of work done?"
"Yes, but no one likes to talk about that when we're home. Remember the new rule?" Joey asks, walking into the house behind us. "No talking about work when we step into this house."
"We weren't in the house yet though," Isaiah adds.
I laugh, shaking my head. "You know how Joey is about his rules."
"I do and it's almost like a new one gets added every day."
