Page 22 of Blood Ties
"He has been planning it way before we even found the man. It's better to let the anger set for longer. The vengeance is sweeter that way and shouldn't be rushed."
"No, it shouldn't." I touch the computer screen, running my fingers of the image of the beautiful man I always have a hard time walking away from. "I'll head straight to Club Rio the minute I land."
"See you when you get here."
I have plenty to entertain me in the remaining time we're in the air. As much as I hate to admit it, I could watch Miguel forever. Doesn't matter if he's just sitting there, staring at the ceiling. His face is pensive, as if he's deep in thought.
When he's in his suit taking charge, he appears put together, but looking at him behind closed doors, you can see the dark circles under his droopy eyes and sagging shoulders. Out in theworld he appears powerful and strong. Alone in a hotel room, no longer having to play a part, he is drowning in the depths of exhaustion and loneliness.
My heart squeezes painfully in my chest. I had wanted so badly to break him down, shatter his life into pieces, so he suffered the way I did all those years ago when I was chained in a dark, cold cellar. I thought it would take way more than a few deals gone wrong and destroyed drugs to take down a man I always saw as invisible. Already fragmented, with visible cracks, there isn't much left of him to tear apart. He glances down, and his body shakes.
You got what you wanted. You destroyed more than his drugs and life. You’ve broken his heart.
There's an uncomfortable shift in my stomach and my throat grows more raw with each swallow. I press my fingers to the screen, badly wanting to touch him and take him in my arms. This is the reason I'd avoided seeing him. He is less human that way and more the monster I'd made him to be over the years.
I had my men follow him, keep track of him, but never did I ever step foot anywhere near his home or business since I was afraid I wouldn't be able to walk away. His body is still crouched over, and his fingers dig into his palms. I want to hate him, and I swear before now I did. To me, he always had everything but looking at him now, you would think he was completely alone in the world. He finally looks up, his dark eyes wet and gloomy. How can a man who seemed to be at the top of the world appear so small?
My plane begins to land, and Miguel is focused on something in front of him, his eyes lighting up with hope. I don't know what all the smiles are from until one of his men is rushing toward the bed with a knife in his hand.
Would Miguel finally let me go or would he continue to come after me until he breathes his last breath? I know which optionI'm supposed to want, but how long can I keep lying to myself? Love complicates things and all reasoning goes out the window when your heart is running the show. If only he could hear me, I'd beg him not to come back. I'm not sure I'm strong enough to leave him behind the next time he does.
If you care about me at all, you will stay away.
Chapter 11
Miguel
It's funny how he thinks chaining me to a bed and leaving me a note on a mirror would keep me from taking back what's mine. His heart belonged to me back then and I plan to claim it again. He can act like what we have doesn't mean anything to him anymore, but he isn't fooling anyone. Let alone me.
The way he had stared up at me with adoring eyes, trusting me in his most vulnerable state tells me I haven't lost yet. I'll have to keep reminding him of how precious he is to me until he believes it. Until my love outweighs all the hate he's been harvesting all these years.
Able stares at the road ahead, knowing better than to say anything. It wouldn't be anything I've never heard before, so there really isn't any point in him even bothering. The overstretching silence kills me more than his pestering questions though.
"I want you to get my jet ready again and to book the same hotel I stayed in when I was in Kansas City.”
His hands tighten around the wheel, and he sighs. "I've always been up front with you and it's my job to keep you safe."
"You can save the whole talk where you tell me I should move on. I'm not in the mood for it. I will leave first thing in the morning."
"You were just chained to a bed. You're lucky he didn't put a bullet between your eyes."
"He wouldn’t. I know my Marcus."
"Except he isn't yours anymore. Your son could use you here. There are bigger things at stake right now. We still haven't figured out who's been messing with the drugs or leaving the shells behind. It could be the same person."
"It's not."
"How can you—" His words trail off and his eyes widen. "Wait a minute. Are you telling me it's been him the whole time?"
"Yes. He's upset is all. I know him. Once it's out of his system, he'll stand down."
"And how many more of your men have to die until it's out of his system?"
"What are you talking about?"
"They took more than the drugs last night. Mateo didn't want to bother you while you were away. He figured he'd tell you when you got back. Whoever broke into one of the warehouses, planted a bomb inside, killed almost everyone who came into work. Your son barely made it out with his life."
I shake my head frantically, pressing my palms to my knees. "That's not Marcus. It can't be. I was with him last night."
