Page 33 of Naughty and Nice
“Let’s say you did. Does the loss of the possibility upset you or is it a relief?”
Sighing, I leaned back against the tall stool. “More upsetting than I predicted.”
“You want to marry Nick Ruiz.”
“I don’t know. I’m confused. He was talking about marriage, and I think I fell into a stupid fairy tale. It’s ridiculous because we both know that marriage can be a nightmare, not a fairy tale.”
“Jano isn’t Rocco. Nick isn’t Gerardo.” She shrugged. “I mean, I didn’t really know your late husband, but what little I did know, I detested.”
My cheeks rose as I curled my lips. “Me too.” I took a sip of my coffee. “Nick is different. When Sofia and I lived with Em’s parents, he spent a lot of time there with Em. I got to know him. I was too confused at that time to think of him as a man. I guess I got to know him as a person. If that makes sense.”
Mia nodded. “And now?”
Warmth filled my cheeks. “I’ve noticed he’s a man.” I shook my head. “More importantly, he doesn’t frighten me. Even yesterday when he was upset, I wasn’t scared. I didn’t think about that until I was lying awake last night.”
She smiled. “Jano can be intense, but I know that no matter what happened, he’d protect me, not harm me.”
“Intense is a good word. Nick was upset with me.” I brought my phone to life. “I keep hoping he’ll message, but he hasn’t.” I looked up. “Do you think Silas could drive me to the apartments?”
“Really, Liliana, after José, Renata, and yesterday, you should take a few days off. I know it’s winter, but the patio is still beautiful. Relax under an umbrella. Read a book.”
Jorge dropped a banana slice onto the floor and giggled.
Her offer was tempting, but not going into the apartments felt a little like hiding from the issues at hand. “I want to be sure everyone is okay. And I assume tonight Wanderland will be back to full staff.”
Mia wiggled her eyebrows. “The men will be.”
I shook my head.
“Silas will drive you when you’re ready.”
Chapter
Fourteen
Liliana
* * *
The residents were resilient and strong. Over the last eighteen months, I ventured to guess that I learned more from them than the other way around. When I entered my office, there were fresh strawberry muffins on my desk. Celeste and Reina were already present in the front office. They told me that there were too many women who volunteered for VIP last night. The ones who didn’t go got together and had a movie night. Their choice of show made me laugh—Pretty Woman.
I didn’t mention what el Patrón said about alternatives to being killed. The idea of being kidnapped and forced into prostitution instead of going into it willingly sent chills over my flesh.
It was almost as if yesterday never happened. Even our guards were quiet, not offering updates regarding Cabezõn’s men. However, the word from the residents who worked last night was that two of Cabezõn’s men were detained for questioning. I wanted to reach out to Nick but was too frightened that he wouldn’t answer or text me back.
Compared to yesterday, today was downright jubilant. The energized residents spent the morning decorating the dining hall for the impending holidays, constructing and decorating a tree and stringing colorful lights. Carols bellowed from someone’s phone.
I helped with the decorations as lunchtime approached and checked in with the residents who worked Wanderland last night. Everyone said the same thing. The night at the club was uneventful. I was sitting at a table unwinding garland when my phone buzzed with a text message.
I inhaled, nibbling my lip when I saw the name—Nick. Holding my breath, I read the message.
* * *
“Get your ass to your office in five minutes or it will be red.”
* * *
There was nothing about that message that should make me smile. Yet my lips curled, and warmth filled my raised cheeks. I pressed my thighs together at the sudden twisting in my core.
