Page 59 of Blood Ties
“Miguel never thinks with his brain when it comes to you.”
“We have that in common apparently.”
Able doesn’t talk the rest of the drive and neither do I. Closing my eyes, I focus on the soothing sounds of the road until we are back at the house. I waste no time getting out and rushing inside. The room is mostly quiet and the only sounds filling the small space are Miguel's breathing and soft snores. I strip out of my clothes and climb underneath the covers, snuggling up beside my Papi. I’m now less scared than before for what our future together will bring, but I am willing to give it my all after the last few weeks of events. As it turns out, I didn’t have everything taken from me before, but almost did eight days ago.
I nudge my head into his shoulder, and he hums, pressing a kiss into my hair subconsciously. The gates to my heart open wide and I don’t think I can ever close them again.
Chapter 27
Miguel
The dry rawness of my throat has me tossing and turning, unable to fall back to sleep. I sit up in bed. The room is dark and there's a figure shifting in the chair in the corner. I get to my feet, almost hitting the floor the minute I leave the bed. I grab onto the nightstand, steadying myself on my weak legs. It's been two weeks since I've been mostly in bed. I have not done more than walk to and from the bathroom, usually with Marcus holding onto me.
Unable to stay in bed any longer and needing to get my strength back so I can deal with all the mess back home, I force myself to do more than my body wants me to. The more I remain in the house, the more stir crazy I've become. I don't do well staying still for too long. Listening to my sons speak to each other outside my room about issues with certain customers and a few deals falling through recently has me wishing I can get on a plane today and handle the misunderstandings myself. I can'tgo anywhere until I know Marcus will be waiting for me when I get back.
I get halfway down the hallway, gripping onto the wall and a voice behind me has me freezing in place.
"Where do you think you're going, you stubborn ass?" Mateo grabs onto my arm as Isaiah steps in front of me to block my way.
"To get some water, food, and then back to Mexico."
"The hell you are,” Isaiah shouts. “How about you get back to bed and I get you some sustenance. Then we will talk about this trip back home you're badly wanting to make.”
"I'm a grown ass man and should be able to leave when I feel like it." I look between Mateo and Isaiah, grinding my teeth.
A loud sigh comes from behind me. "Not when you're still healing and not thinking clearly. That's how you get bombs attached to your car without noticing you're being followed."
"That was one time."
"One time too many,” Marcus says in a biting tone.
I sigh, turning around to face my rival, the man who could save my life and kill me all in one day if he wanted to—Mi conejito. "Fine. You win this time."
He shakes his head, smiling and reaches for my hand. "No, mi amor. Not just this time, but before and after today as well."
I shake him off when he tries to direct me to the bed. "I'm not getting back into that fucking sink hole."
He laughs. "Okay, let's get you to the chair then, your majesty."
I plop down, holding onto the arms of the chair. Marcus leans down and kisses me on the lips. "I'll be back. Don't you move."
"I'll make sure his ass stays put," Mateo says from the door.
"What are you doing here, pendejo? Why aren't you back home dealing with our current issues?"
He folds his arms, moving closer. "I'm not the only one capable of handling business deals. Angel and Santiago are dealing just fine without me. Probably better than me."
"What are you saying?"
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "You know being a drug lord and running a cartel organization was never my thing."
"You were getting the hang of things from what I could see. You have lots of potential and what it takes to run anything you put your mind to."
He nods, forming his lips into a thin line. "Yes, but my heart should be in it too."
"So you want out?"
"Not completely. Running the clubs and hotels is something I enjoy. I'm a businessman, but not the same kind as you."
