Page 29 of Naughty and Nice
Luz crawled to me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “You’ll have muffins every day.”
I leaned my head to her shoulder. “I have all of you every day. That’s all I wanted.”
Luz kissed my forehead. “No one has ever risked their life for me,” she whispered. “Ever.”
“Or me.”
“Or me.”
While the illumination lessened the unknown, my temples throbbed as I wondered what was happening outside the lecture hall. As time passed, the occupants became increasingly restless, some sitting at desks and others pacing back and forth. According to my watch, twenty minutes passed since the lights came on.
We all stilled and stared as the locking mechanism sounded the release of the lock.
Luz was the first. It happened so fast; I didn’t have time to protest as a half dozen or more of the residents lined up in front of me. The door swung open.
“Liliana,” a deep baritone voice called out.
“Lieutenant Ruiz,” I heard others say.
Pushing my way through the wall of women, my gaze landed on the handsome dark stare of my Lieutenant Ruiz. “Nick.”
The room of women faded as Nick came toward me and reached for my cheeks, pulling me against him. My body collided with his as his lips landed on mine. If we were in a movie, the room would be obscured by a thick fog while music played.
We weren’t in a movie.
We had the attention of all fifty-four residents, their whoops and hollers filling my ears as a rosy blush bloomed on my cheeks. I blinked as our kiss ended, and I stared into his dark brown orbs.
His voice was low and his tenor deep. His words were only intended for my ears. “If you were my wife, I’d turn your ass red for putting yourself in danger.”
I leaned away, searching for malice or the intent to cause me harm. My search came up empty, seeing only concern and admiration in his eyes. “Is Isabella safe?”
He nodded.
“Horace and Javier?”
“We lost two at the shipyard this morning, and Cabezõn lost nearly half a dozen here today.”
Taking a deep breath, I pressed my lips together, wishing that life didn’t have to be about survival.
Nick looked around the room and spoke louder. “Ladies, el Patrón wants Wanderland half staffed tonight. He won’t close for the night. He doesn’t want Cabezõn to believe he’s won. Twenty-five women. VIP only.”
I turned toward the residents. “Volunteer only. If you don’t want to go, stay home tonight.”
Hands shot up around the room.
“VIP, hell yes,” Julia said.
Looking at Nick, I widened my eyes. “I think we have enough volunteers.”
“Go,” he said to the residents. “The building is secure. Roríguez soldiers will be here with transports at four. Wanderland is opening on schedule. Your entertainment will be a little later than usual. Be ready to leave by four.”
The room filled with chatter as the residents filed from the lecture hall until Nick and I were left alone.
“Seriously, what the fuck?” he asked. “You could have stayed with Isabella.”
I nodded. “I could have, but if I had, the residents would have been alone.” Before he could respond, I added, “Someone came in here.”
“Someone?” A vein popped to life in his forehead. “In here?”
