Be My Valentine: A Valentine's Novella (Hold On To Me Series Book 2)

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Be My Valentine: A Valentine's Novella (Hold On To Me Series Book 2) Page 3

by Blue Saffire


  My eyes widen in surprise when I feel him spill into me. I hadn’t realized his didn’t put on a condom. I go to protest and chide him, but he takes my lips in a hard demanding kiss.

  “Forty-nine,” his snorts against my lips. “I run ten miles every morning in the sand. Give me a better reason, Esposita.”

  He pulls from my body as the car comes to a stop. Quickly his dresses me in his tux jacket. My heavy lids threaten to close all on their own as he carries me from the car into the house.

  “You are mine, Detra. This is why everything will change now,” I hear him say before I fall asleep.

  Chapter 3

  Taking Off

  Detra

  I groan as I wake, reaching out for the warm body that’s been keeping me warm in my sleep. I suddenly feel the loss of the heat in my bones.

  It’s an odd feeling since I sleep alone most of the time. Yet, I can’t shake it. I frown when I find cool sheets beside me. My brain starts to wake and I realize I’m reaching for Cristó and he’s not there.

  Opening my eyes, the clock comes into view. Five-fifteen it reads. I huff and turn over onto my back, pulling the covers up over my head. I can’t believe he still went for his morning run.

  “Seriously, aye,” I huff.

  I’ve been asleep for what… an hour max? He kept me up all night. Thankfully, over the past few days, he hasn’t wasted any more time trying to convince me things need to change. At least, not with his words.

  If you count the things he has done to my body that would be a different story. I swear the man has had a conversation with every inch of me from inside out. I furrow my brows and chew on my lips as I think about what those conversations said.

  Something has changed between us. I can ignore it as much as I want, it’s still there and it’s screaming for me to admit it. I won’t. I’m going to stay a few more days and then I’m headed to London to do my job, just like I always do.

  My phone rings, pulling me from my wondering thoughts. I’m grateful and annoyed at the sometime. I’m on vacation, I shouldn’t be getting calls and definitely not this early.

  I didn’t tell anyone where I was going but I’m only an hour ahead of New York’s time zone. That makes it four in the morning there. Someone’s trying to get their head taken off.

  “Hello,” I bite out.

  “We have a problem. I’m calling you first because it’s your boy,” Manny’s voice comes through the line.

  I sit up and the sheet falls into my laps. I’m wide awake at the mention of my childhood best friend having a problem. Manny doesn’t have to say his name for me to know he’s talking about Nelson.

  “What’s going on?”

  “He called in a car accident,” he replies.

  “Okay, his driver was drunk or something?” I ask in confusion.

  “No, he was the driver. It was a few days ago, but he just called me. Apparently, the car was tempered with.”

  “What? When did this happen? Why is he calling you and not me?”

  “Don’t know. He sounded pissed and asked me to keep it quiet,” he says.

  “I don’t want anyone touching that car until me and my boys get there. Sending my crew over. I’m on my way,” I command as I toss off the covers and jump out of bed.

  “I’m telling Cristóbal,” he warns.

  “What? Are we five?”

  “Your friend is a major asset. It’s enough you have me keeping the embezzlement from him,” Manny huffs.

  “I have that situation under control. Art isn’t going to embarrass me in front of your brother. I’ve taken care of it.”

  “Yeah, but not the way Cristóbal or I would have,” he says gruffly.

  “Sometimes a gentler hand is needed. I learned that from Cristó himself,” I retort.

  There is a pause on the other end. I pull the phone from my ear to see if I’ve lost the connection. Placing it back, I get ready to say something when Manny’s words cause me to freezes.

  “Cristó?” His voice is laced with curiosity and humor. “Tell me, amiga, where are you?”

  “I’m on my way to London,” I say stiffly.

  “From where?”

  “I don’t have to report to you.”

  “Tell mi hermano I said, hello,” he roars with laughter.

  I hang up on him. I’m not in the mood to get into this with Manny. He has asked me repeatedly why I chose to marry his brother. My answer has always been the same. It was the right thing to do for me.

  I rub at my chest. I don’t know if I’d give him the same answer if he asked me today. Which leads me to my husband. He’s not going to be happy that I’m leaving so soon.

  He mentioned plans for the New Year. I’ve never missed bringing in the New Year with Cristóbal. Not one since we’ve been married.

  “Things are different,” I tell myself as I start to feel guilty.

  I don’t know what for. I’m free to come and go as I please. I’ll come back in a few months just as we agreed. I’ll just stay longer to make up for skipping a visit this year and for running off early this time.

  “Yes, that will have to work. This is business. I’ve taken off to handle business before,” I mutter.

  So why are you rushing to leave before he returns?

  I’ll leave that question unanswered. I don’t want to pay too much attention to why I pack my bag and run from my husband’s home like I have fire on my ass.

  Cristóbal

  From the moment I step into my home, I know something is off. I can feel it in my bones. It is as if the walls speak of the woman who is no longer here.

  I roar with anger when I confirm she and her things are once again gone. I’ve had enough of this… this disrespect. It’s time I remind my little wife that our marriage is not optional.

  I pull out my phone and dial my brother. My teeth are clinched so tight they threaten to break. I’m ready to hit the roof when he doesn’t answer on the first three rings.

  “Hello, hermano,” Manny says with a deep sigh when he finally answers.

  “Where is she?”

  “You two have taken things to a new level, I see,” he says with humor in his voice.

  “That is none of your business.”

  “I told you it was a matter of time. You’ve always secretly cared for her,” he taunts. “Sí, you think she’s smart and you wanted her and I to build a legacy since you’ve had it in your head you never want your own niños.

  “But something else has been brewing in your thoughts for years. How do you think she will feel when she finds out you are the reason her old boyfriends always broke up with her when they got too close?”

  “I will cut your tongue out if she ever finds out,” I seethe. “Now tell me what I want to know.”

  “What makes you think I know? She didn’t tell me she was going to Puerto Rico to spend time in your bed. Why would she tell where she plans to lie her head next?”

  “My wife doesn’t need to tell you when she’s in my fucking bed. But it is your fucking job to know where the fuck she is when she’s not with me,” I snarl.

  “Sí, just as I thought. You have slept with her,” he chuckles.

  “Manny,” I drag out in warning, my accent thickening.

  “She is on her way to London,” he continues to chuckle.

  “Why?”

  “Nelson is there,” he says more seriously. “We believe someone has tempered with his car. He had an accident of sorts. No one was harmed, but it was more than a flat tire as it would have initially appeared.”

  “Carajo,” I say through clinched teeth. “What else are you not telling me?”

  “You should have a talk with your Teniente. She has a lot you might want to listen to. That is if you have a conversation outside of your bed,” he says.

  “Where is Gabriella?” I ask, a smile coming to my lips.

  “Vete a la mierda,” he snaps.

  “No thank you. You are not my type. Tell Gabby to meet me in London—


  “You will have to tell her yourself,” he cuts me off.

  “Are you losing control of the women, mi hermano?”

  “I could ask you the same. Neither of them seem to be listening to you either.”

  “Gabriella and I have no issues,” I scoff.

  “Too bad you can’t say the same for your wife,” I clips out and hangs up.

  I laugh as the line goes dead. I’ve given him a taste of his own medicine. My Teniente and Sicarios can be a hand full. Yet, they are the best. My mind turns to my esposa, my Teniente. I don’t regret making her my wife or second in command.

  She just needs to remember who’s first. I allow Detra her freedom and that may have been my mistake, because now I’m finding that she’s hiding things from me. I once thought Detra’s father was the key to pulling the strings of her happiness.

  I found out right after our marriage that this was not true at all. It’s the funny looking best friend with the ideas. He is the one that my wife will move the earth for. He means as much to her as Manny does… or should I say, more.

  I make another call as my mind is made up.

  “Get the plane ready,” I bite out, then hang up.

  First a shower, then I pack. It is time I meet this Nelson Fisher. I want to know why she is so drawn to him and dedicated to his protection. It is more than keeping my investments secure.

  I want to know how he makes you stay when I cannot.

  Chapter 4

  London Bridge

  Detra

  I expected Cristóbal to call me by now. I haven’t heard a thing from him since I left. I shouldn’t be this disappointed.

  “You need anything else, cuz?”

  I look up as my cousin, Emilio’s, voice pulls me from my thoughts. I still can’t focus as I stare at him. I can’t stop thinking about Cristó and the weird place things have entered.

  Hearing Nelson and Talina go at it hasn’t helped me to keep my thoughts off of my husband either. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t ready to leave. I think that’s the part that scares me most.

  “Dee, yo, you all right?”

  I focus on Emilio once again. My cousin is a straight New Yorker. Washington Heights all day. I used to love taking the train in from Jersey to hang with my family. Nelson would come along when his mom was too much to bear.

  Washington Heights is what lead me to Cristó, it’s where I met Manny. I always say Jersey made me grimy, but I got my street smarts and flavor from the Heights. I smile at the memories. That was before. Before my father let his other life spill over and I had to put my street smarts to use.

  “I’m good. Just get that to the lab and let me know what you find. Send it all to Manny too. Hopefully they didn’t screw up any clues that will help us,” I reply.

  “What does Nelson want us to do with the whip?”

  “Chop it. I already ordered him a new one.” I shrug.

  Emilio shakes his head. “Chop it, she says. Like it’s a fucking Honda or something. I need a promotion,” he mutters, sucking his teeth.

  “I would have given you one, but you don’t want to go to school for the positions I’ve offered you,” I toss back.

  “You bugging. I’m not cut out for that. You like all that reading and studying and shit. These street are what I study, Ma.”

  “Which is why you’re not getting promoted. What part of the streets you studied got you to London, Papa? I’ll wait…” I pause to allow him to answer.

  “True, but you don’t have to say it like that,” he says twisting his lips.

  I grin at my cousin. It’s not like I don’t pay him well. He loves to tease that I don’t pay him enough for the things he does for me, when that’s far from the case.

  “Did you check your bank account this morning?”

  He beams at me. Like I said, I take care of my family. They keep things running. Manny and I wouldn’t be able to run things without them.

  “Yeah, thanks. That was a nice Christmas gift,” he chuckles.

  “De nada. I appreciate you coming out here. I know you had plans.”

  “There’s plenty of T and A here in London. I’m going to hit a few spots as soon as I get this work wrapped up. You think your boy Nelson wants to go out?”

  “Ha! Nelson will not be making an appearance for a while. Cuba, Raj, and the rest of the crew are flying in this evening. You’ll have company,” I laugh.

  “What? You too good to hang out with us now?” he teases.

  “No.” My smile falters. “I have work to do.”

  It’s a lie and the truth. While I do need to find out who’s behind tempering with Nelson’s car, I’m also not in the mood to party. Funny, I never thought of my partying days as being behind me.

  I’m thirty-eight, but I’ve kept up a decent social life. Nelson and I have afforded ourselves the finest when it comes to invites and hot spots with unlimited access. I’m just not in the mood to be social. I have too much on my mind.

  I see the look in Emilio’s eyes and know he’s getting ready to pry. Some of my family knows I work for the big boss. Those that do, don’t need to know I’m his wife or that I sleep with him.

  The true is, I’m glad none of my blood family has ever had an interest in moving up too high in the Suarez family ranks. On the surface you see Fisher, Inc., the marketing corporation. Some know there’s more to it, others not so much.

  I like to keep it that way. There are rules and level to this. I breathe a sigh of relief when my phone rings cutting off Emilio’s chance. I turn to walk away as I answer the call.

  “Hola.”

  “You’re not going to like this,” Gabriella says into the phone.

  “I’ll call you back in five,” I rush out.

  I need a secure line and some place private. Something tells me things are about to start falling down around me. Gabriella never calls me, I call her.

  What fresh hell comes for my door? Coño!

  Cristóbal

  I will not ask my wife what she’s been hiding from me. I’ll find out my damn self. The more I think about it the more it pisses me off. Manny has known all of this and said nothing.

  Have I fallen weak in my old age?

  Screams pull me from my musing. I look at the sweaty piece of shit in front of me. He has fallen to his knees with his head bent, panting. Wiping the bloody knife in my hand on my shirt, I squat before him.

  Placing the tip of the knife beneath his chin, I lift his head looking into his thieving eyes. Fear radiates from him as it should. He thought he was stealing from Nelson Fisher, but I’m the bank behind Fisher, Inc. That’s my money.

  “Art? This is your name,” I ask tilting my head. I already know the answer.

  “Y-yes,” he whimpers.

  “You steal from me, sí? Do you still think this was a wise thing?”

  “I… I… I didn’t know. I… I didn’t steal from you,” he stutters.

  “You know, as a boy I spent a lot of time in New York. The fast pace caused me to have a quick mind,” I tap my temple with my free hand. “I learned how to spot a rat, thief, and trader. You reek of all of those.

  “You are also a liar. You lie to my face,” I take my knife and slash it across his lying mouth.

  More screams fill the air. It has been years since I’ve gotten my hands dirty, but I’ve always gotten into my work when I’ve had to. This is no different.

  “I should be on my way to see my wife, but I’ve had to make a detour for you. She was too lenient on you. I do not possess this type of,” I wave my knife in the air searching for the word. “Ah, mercy.”

  “Please,” he tries to cries around his slits mouth.

  “Tell me who helped you. If you do, I may find it in my heart to allow you Misericordia,” I say with a smile.

  He shakes his head. Denying my request. He’s protecting someone. It’s going to cost him more pain than it’s worth, I’m sure.

  “I… it was just m… me,” his slurs and gurgles.

>   Blood pours from his face. I grow tired of this. I stand looking around the old cemetery. Without a thought, I kick Art back into the open grave that was freshly dug for him.

  “She’s not going to like that you did this. She had a plan for him,” Manny says.

  “She’s not going to like? She’s not going to like?” My voice raises with each word. “I don’t like you keeping things from me. I don’t like that he was allowed to steal from me for so long.”

  “You asked her to keep your money clean. You have told her to keep her own hands clean. She handled it the best way she could while doing what you told her,” he seethes back.

  “Maybe it’s time I give her job to someone else,” I say.

  “Someone sloppy that will land us all in jail? Someone as reckless as you used to be? Come on, hermano, think with tu cabeza.”

  “Careful, mi hermano. You and I have much to talk about. You are my eyes and ears, but you have not been watching and listening for me,” I warn.

  “Sí, I have. I’ve watched over what’s most important to you even before you were willing to admit it to yourself,” he bellows, chest heaving. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. Even when it hurts. Even when this is not what I want.”

  I close my eyes. I can feel and taste his pain. I know it well. I was wrong in the past to tell him to think of the family first. I know that now.

  “Sí, this is a problem. One I plan to fix. There will be no more of this. I was young and I made mistakes—”

  “You did what you thought was best. We all made our own mistakes. Go to your wife. You two were made for each other,” he says, rubbing his forehead.

  I grunt and turn to leave. My head filled with new thoughts and questions. I’ve done everything the way I thought my father wouldn’t. I did everything to keep from landing in prison, alone, and eventually murdered.

 

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