Page 46 of Naughty and Nice
“That’s one of the reasons.”
“What’s the other?”
“That couple in the back, they’re your parents, aren’t they?”
Liliana nodded.
“I don’t recall seeing them before.”
“You have,” she said. “The last time I saw them was Gerardo’s funeral.”
I scoffed. “Well, sorry, they didn’t make an impression on me.”
“My father now answers to Reinaldo. I wonder if he made them attend.”
“Why would Rei do that?”
“Sofia is here. Jasmine invited her to fly down from Sacramento. I feel like Sofia would have told me my parents were here.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what to think.”
I was trying to recall before the ceremony. Em and I had been in el Patrón’s office. “I didn’t see them enter.” I shrugged. “They didn’t arrive with Rei and Jasmine.”
Liliana feigned a smile. “Do you think we should go back inside for our reception?”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “Or we could skip the reception and go straight to our apartment.”
“Ours?”
“Sí, Señora Ruiz, you not only have my name, but you have gained a roommate.”
“And a new bodyguard.”
“Sí. However, I think it would be best not to have any live-in help for at least a few days.”
“Why is that?”
“Because with the plans I have for us, it would be better if we didn’t have an audience.”
Liliana tucked her chin.
I reached for it and lifted her face. “You’re my wife. You can tell me no.”
Her long lashes blinked, revealing her soft suede orbs. “Thank you. I don’t think I want to do that. It’s good to know I can.”
The door to our side opened, warm light spilling onto the pavers. “Hey,” Mia said. “There’s a party in here for you two. Do you think you’d like to attend?”
“I’m going to kiss my wife one more time,” I replied.
Mia smiled and waved before going back into the house.
Our lips met.
“I love you, Liliana. Never forget that.”
“I love you too.”
With her hand in mine, we walked back into the house. Down the hall we saw the guests mingling around the living room and out onto the patio. However, it was the discussion in el Patrón’s office that caught my attention, especially at the mention of my wife’s name. Liliana and I stopped.
“That’s my father,” she whispered.
