by Blue Saffire
“I am telling my wife to get the fuck out of here,” I bellow.
“And I’m telling my husband, I’m not leaving without him. Now let me focus. People are shooting at us,” she says and cuts the call.
“Detra,” I roar.
I grab my gun and reach in my boot for the other one resting there. Releasing the door, I kick it open and start to fire. I will not leave my wife uncovered.
Detra
That man has bumped his head if he thinks I’m leaving without him. I come out of the car blasting. Emilio and the others have already begun to clear a path to the Rolls incasing my husband. I’m not even going to stop to think about the big shit Gabriella to pulled out as she start to blast.
I bite back a string of curses when I see Cristó emerge from the car like a mad man. His focus is on taking down anyone aiming at me.
“Get down,” I bark at him.
He gives me a death glare and rushes toward me, firing over me. I continue to fire as the others cover us both. We need to get out of here before local authorities arrive.
Cristó plucks me up like a doll, placing me on his waist. I grind my teeth in annoyance, but I take advance of my new height. I fire to protect us as he continues for the SUV I just hoped out of.
“Let’s go,” he bellows to my crew.
Gabriella jumps in the driver’s seat. I tighten my lips with Emilio jumps in with blood dripping from his shoulder. I want to get out and shoot at more of them.
“It looks like a graze. I will call in a favor. I know someone,” Cristó says against my temple before kissing it, after leaning into look Emilio over. “Never do that again.”
“I will do all your personal hiring from now on and I’ll find out who was responsible for this,” I say coolly. “Then, I’ll never have to do this again.”
“Coño, it’s time to talk about retirement. You, Gabriella, and I will be having a chat,” he says sternly.
“Whatever you say, Jefe.”
“Marido.”
“Yeah, that too.”
“I hear you talking about me, Jefe,” Gabriella calls over her shoulder.
“Stubborn women. My brother should listen to me.”
Gabriella makes a sound in the back of her throat. I wonder what that’s about, but I keep my focus on my husband. He is safe. That’s what matters.
Chapter 15
Bad Company
Detra
“So all of this was about you and Cristóbal?” Nelson says as I sit in his London office.
My husband and I are off to New York to check on something before we can head out for our vacation in Greece in two weeks. All the pieces fit together, but one. Neither I nor Cristó feel we have sealed the lid on this one.
“As far as we know so far. I’ll have more details soon. Forget all of that. When are you going to propose?”
“In two weeks, on Valentine’s day,” he says with a grin.
I give a low whistle. “That’s big,” I say, returning his smile.
This is huge for him. Valentine’s day has always been a horrible day for him. A reminder of that bitch mother of his.
“Yes, it is.”
“I’m happy for you. If anyone deserves this it’s you,” I say.
“Yet, you still don’t believe in love?”
“I never said I don’t believe in it. I just never wanted to deal with the pain of it,” I murmur.
“Here’s the thing. You really have no control over it.”
“Okay, time for me to go. Just because you’re in love doesn’t mean everyone else has to be,” I say and get up to collect my things. “Tell Talina I’ll see her soon.”
“You can’t run from the truth,” he calls after me.
“Sure you can, I’ve been doing it all of my life,” I say over my shoulder.
“I still love you.”
I stop and turn. I try to keep the emotions out of my voice. “My brother, my friend. You have more love from me than I know how to give. There’s only one man that rivals that.”
“So you admit you love him,” he taunts.
“I’ll see you soon, Nelson.”
I turn and leave with a smile on my face.
Cristóbal
“Still no word on the ex-boyfriend?”
“No, hermano.”
“Talina means a lot to my wife. I’ve watched them together. If this will hurt Talina, it will hurt my wife. I don’t like having this loose end,” I grumble. “Find him.”
“So we’re not going to talk about what happened?”
“No, it is done. Gabriella has named the one I need to see,” I reply.
“And if they have the ex?”
“Either way they are finished.”
“But you don’t believe they do. Something still doesn’t fit for you. I can hear it in your voice,” he says.
“Nothing is ever as it seems. We will have answers. We’ll allow this dust to settle, then we can get to the rats that are still hiding.”
“Everything has changed, hasn’t it?”
“Sí, I have taken my head out of the sand. I don’t know if I can allow this to continue this way,” I speak the thoughts that have been haunting me.
“I hear you. You both will do what’s right. Anything you need. You tell me,” he says.
“I will see you soon. We will discuss what I need from you then.”
“Adiós, hermano,” he says on a sigh.
“Adiós.”
Epilogue
Be Mine
Detra
Easter...
“Why are you in here alone looking so said?” Papi asks as he walks into the den.
I’ve been angry with my parents for a long time, but I’ve always made sure they’re okay. This house was the least I could do to repay them for the good times.
“Everyone says I’m cranky and Cristó has been with you all damn day,” I huff and pout.
“Sí, they are right. You are grumpy,” my father chuckles. “I think I’m more excited about your niño than I was for the five of you.”
“Ugh, I just want this to be over. I’m too old for this shit. I still have so long to go,” I groan.
“Four more months is not a long way to go,” he laughs. “You were always my toughest little niña. What happened?”
“I bumped my head and let someone get me pregnant.”
“Someone you love?” my father says softly.
“Maybe,” I mumble.
“Why have to turned off your love?” he says more seriously.
I can hear an ache in his voice that throws me back in time. I was such a daddies girl. We all were. It’s why we used to cling to him and tried to be just like him. Not one of us picked up our mother’s Jamaican accent.
It’s probably because we’ve mimicked Papi from the time we could say our first words. I remember always wanting to be where he was. Until…
“You broke my heart,” I whisper.
“Oh, cariño, I never meant for that to happen. To this day, I’ve wanted to find the words to tell you how sorry I am for what I put you in the middle of,” he chokes out.
“How could you do that to us?”
“Your mother was pregnant. We struggled with you girls as it was. I wasn’t ready to have another baby, but then I thought I’d finally get that boy,” he says wistfully.
“I started out placing a bet here, winning a card game there. I was hot. A friend offered me a chance at some big money. I didn’t realize the opportunity was with really bad guys until it was too late.
“Your mother lost the baby because she was stressed about how we were going to pay for things. At the same time, I lost my winning streak. I had to come up with that money. I didn’t know what to do,” he says.
“And then they came for me,” I say.
“Si, I didn’t know they did. You ran away and we were so distort. Losing the baby and then you. I did everything I could to keep you girls happy and healthy. I didn’t understand. Not until my problems disapp
eared.
“You were always my problem solver. The first to get the fight started and to finish it. I should have known from the beginning,” he snorts.
“I made sure they never fucked with us again,” I say feeling like a small girl and hearing it in my voice.
“But that wasn’t your place, Mi hija. I would have figured something out,” he says.
“Not after what Nelson and I did to those men. They were coming for us. They were going to kill me and Nelson. I was so scared when they jumped me. When Nelson showed up to help, I cut that one guy up bad. I just kept cutting and fighting,” I say as the tears fall.
“It was going to end badly if I didn’t get help. This wasn’t going to be the Marques brawling in the streets like we used to do. I needed to get us real help.”
“So you married a —”
“Don’t Papi. Whatever you call him, you have to call me. I don’t regret my choices. I always do what I have to do. Cristóbal has always been there for me.
“He helped me when he didn’t have to. He has always been straight with me,” I say defiantly and lift my chin.
“Where I have not. Fine, fair enough. I didn’t feel I had to tell my niñas my business. You were young girls. But you… you have always thought you were a woman.
“I’m being straight with you now, Detra. You have to let love in again,” he says pointing to my stomach. “That little one will need it. Your sisters need it.”
“I love my sisters,” I say, and poke my lip out. “I’ll love my baby too.”
“And your husband?”
“What about him?”
“When will you let him in and love him?”
“I already let him in. I love Cristó,” the words are out before I can trap them in. “Shit.”
“Sí,” my father chuckles and nods behind me.
I turn to find Cristó with a huge smile on his face. My mother and sisters are bouncing behind him. I wiggle my way out of my seat with my five month swollen belly that popped out of nowhere just last week.
One minute it was a tiny bump then puff my waistline was gone. Papi helps me get to my feet. I look at him in confusion then back to Cristó and the rest of my family.
“I have waited years for you to admit that,” Cristó says, his eyes suspiciously misting.
“So you send my father in here to trick me?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “He was supposed to bring you the basket.”
“Yeah, way to go Papi,” Jada says.
“The basket?”
I turn to see the Easter basket Papi placed on the table when he came in. I was too busy being moody to take note of it. It’s spilling over with jelly beans, gummy bears, and my favorite caramel Easter eggs. Nestled in the center is a velvet egg shaped box.
“Open it,” Cristó says in my ear.
I jump not realizing he crossed the room to get so close. His hands splay my belly as I reach for the velvet egg. I open the box to find a huge blue sapphire and diamond ring.
“What—”
“Will you marry me?” he whispers before nuzzling my neck.
“We’re already married,” I reply and turn to face him. “And having a baby.”
“Humor an old man. Marry me again. I want to hear you say you love me when I pledge my life to you.”
“If I humor an old man, what will I do with you?”
He crushes my lips and devours me in front of my family. I try not to whimper, but I can’t help tossing my arms around his neck. When he breaks the kiss, his eyes are glowing with joy and mirth.
“Always challenging me. This is why I remain young. ¿Te quieres casar conmigo?”
“Sí, I will marry you,” I say with a huge smile. “Cristó?”
“Sí, Esposita.”
“Te amo.”
“Te amo, mi amour. I’ve loved you for a very long time.”
B
Cristóbal
“I don’t want a nap, Mommy,” my wife whines and shoos her mother away.
She is more beautiful with each day. Her noses has spread and her lips seem fuller. Her breasts have swollen as well.
Everything about pregnancy agrees with Detra even if she hates it. Which I know she doesn’t. She’s in love with our little niño that I intend to spoil just like it’s mother.
My life is wherever they are. Which means, I haven’t been home in months. Manny decided to take his family to Puerto Rico for a little break and reset.
A lot has been reset. I’ve changes. Trading in more of my old empire for the one my wife has built for me. Enough for us to both take a step back, but not enough to lose my power, respect, and connections, but not before as my wife would say, making an example.
My phone rings and I smile. It’s Manny. I want to ask him to be my best man again. This time for a real wedding.
“Hola,” I answer.
Alarm bells go off as he fires off rapid Spanish. Manny speaks mostly English unless something is wrong or he is upset. Even I am have a hard time following him at the moment.
“She’s gone,” he finally says and it’s the most I understand.
“I’m on my way.”
Acknowledgments
Are you laughing at me? I know it’s March. Rolling on the floor. Here’s the thing those. This series goes beyond Valentine’s day. I hope you are starting to see we are building to something here. These may be my break state books where I get to laugh and take a breather, but it’s leading somewhere bigger.
Thank you so much for your support. I love what I do. If you only knew how hard I’m working in the background to share my passion with you. Trust me, it’s like a Blue Christmas, you can’t see what I’m doing, but on Blue Christmas morning when you see all of the gifts that just keep coming you will understand. I haven’t forgotten any of the series. I’m just working through the plan a book at a time. (Which in true is more than one at a time at times. Face palm.)
Thank you so so much for your support as I take my time with each book and the vision for the series. Thank you for the emails and social media posts. I appreciate them all. This has been an exciting time and a trying one as well. Learning balance has been the biggest obstacle but I’m overcoming it. Your kind words help that more than you know.
Thank you to my other half. Each book has your help and support and I appreciate that so much. To live in the house with crazy… Ha! You’re the truth! Thank you so much.
I’m still in awe of God. I know He has so much more in store. I humble myself to not only listen and follow, but to also enjoy the blessings. Too often we get lost in the process and forget to enjoy the fruits of Favor and Grace. I want to say thank you, Lord and count the blessings with joy!
On to the Next!! See what happened was… I’m moving to someone you’ve been asking for. After all there is a plan.
About the Author
Blue Saffire, award-winning, bestselling author of over thirty contemporary romance novels and novellas,—writes with the intention to touch the heart and the mind. Blue hooks, weaves, and loops multiple series, keeping you engaged in her worlds. Every word is meant to have a lasting touch that leaves you breathless for more.
Blue and her husband live in a home filled with laughter and creativity, in Long Island, NY. Both working hard to build the Blue brand and cultivate their love for the arts. Creativity is their family affair.
Thank You
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Legally Bound 2: Against the Law
Legally Bound 3: His Law
Perfect for Me
Hush 1: Family Secrets
Ballers: His Game
Brothers Black1: Wyatt the Heartbreaker
Legally Bound 4: Allegations of Love
Hush 2: Slow Burn
Legally Bound 5.0: Sam
Yours: Losing My Innocence 1
Yours 2: Experience Gained
Yours 3: Life Mastered
Ballers 2: His Final Play
Legally Bound 5.1: Tasha Illegal Dealings
Brothers Black 2: Noah
Legally Bound 5.2: Camille
Legally Bound 5.3 & 5.4 Special Edition
Where the Pieces Fall
Legally Bound 5.5: Legally Unbound
Brothers Black 4: Braxton the Charmer
My Funny Valentine
Broken Soldier
Remember Me
Brothers Black 5: Felix the Brain
A Home for Christmas
Coming Soon…
Ballers 3: His Team
Brothers Black 6: Ryan the Joker
Brothers Black 7: Johnathan the Fixer
Road to Whatever Series (Perfect for Me): Ideal For Me Book 2
Blue Saffire Exclusive on BlueSaffire.com
The Lost Souls MC Series
Forever
Never
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The A Million to Blow Series