Page 60 of Blood Ties
"So this is your way of telling me. When things are falling apart?"
"Is there a better time?" He cocks his head, leaning against the door frame.
I laugh. "I guess not. I should plan to leave tomorrow to make sure—"
"I don't think you should run it either."
My eyes widen. "What do you mean? Who else is there?" I scoot closer to the edge, gripping the arms of the chair.
"You have more than one son.” Mateo steps closer, folding his arms.
I run a hand through my hair, looking off to the side. "He runs his own organization with Marcus and Joey."
"Before, yes but he feels you belong at Marcus's side more than him and he was only filling in until you were ready to be there again.”
My heart races at the thought of getting to hold Marcus's hand on the way to work every morning. “And he's sure this is whathe wants? To handle this all alone? What about Joey? He helped build this business with Marcus too.”
“He won't be running it alone. He has Gabriel, Santiago and Angel stepping in when needed. Joey wants to focus on the sanctuary and going after sex trafficking rings. I think this will be good for everyone all the way around.”
"A lot has been discussed behind my back I see." I shift in the chair.
"We thought it would be better to figure things out while you were healing." He looks behind him and back at me.
"So taking my business from me that I've kept running and successful all these years is how you figure things out."
Marcus appears in the door, holding a tray. "No, mi amor. We only thought you might want to stay here." He steps closer, placing it on a stand in front of me. "With me. I know it won't be us disappearing together where no one can find us but it's a start.”
I stare up at him. "And here I thought you were adamant about sending my ass back to Mexico the first chance you get."
He smiles, placing his hand on my cheek. "Not anymore."
"So I'll stay here with you and then what?"
He sets the tray on a nearby table. "We live our lives together the way we always intended. We promised thirteen years ago in a hotel room we would love each other unconditionally the minute we were both free."
"That was before. I'm not good for you, Marcus. All I do is bring more problems to your doorstep." I place my hand on his.
Squeezing my fingers, he stares deeply into my eyes. "It's us against the world, remember? Any problems you have automatically become mine."
"Is that how it works?"
"Love has no rules. Ours didn't before and there's no use starting now."
“Your nightmares and the scars on your back—”
“Are because of me. I knew the risks of loving you and I wouldn’t change things if I could. I would rather face my nightmares with you than alone.”
I grab his hand, lacing our fingers together. "What is it you truly want?"
"This." He kisses my lips.
I brush my mouth over his. “And all I want is you. I don’t care how or where.”
"Then take me." His breaths come out ragged.
When I glance behind me, Mateo is nowhere in sight, and we are all alone. "Close the door and I will."
"You are still healing."
