Hot & Wild (De La Cruz Saga)

by P. Macias

  “Christian, I’m happy to meet you. The wedding will take place when and where my Bella wants,” replies Gregory, smiling. He pulls Bella back into his arms, claiming her as his.

  “You should have gone with Carlos and Paty,” says Christian. I know that Bella is unaware of the elopement. Ahh, huh, but he did. He’s surprised that I do know, thinks Christian, observing him.

  “Christian, did Paty elope?” asks Bella, looking at him with surprise. “She didn’t mention anything to me.”

  “Well, Jose Enrique and Greg knew. I want to know when you’re going to Vegas?” asks Christian, looking at Gregory. “The sooner, the better it will be para todos.”

  “I agree and how about tonight?” asks Gregory. He gazes at Bella, wondering if that will be something that she wants to do.

  Bella gazes into his hermoso blue eyes. She’s ecstatic to marry him so quickly. “Do you mean it? You do want to go and get married?” asks Bella, studying his eyes to gauge his feelings. She needs to know if he’s truly serious about eloping.

  “Si, Baby, I do,” replies Gregory, pulling her closer, not caring that Christian is there. “I love you.”

  “Oh, my vida, I love you,” replies Bella, euphoric with his amor. “Okay, we can go tonight.”

  “Can you give us the hotel where you got married?” asks Bella, smiling, turning to gaze at Christian. “We can call and have everything ready.”

  “Si, hermana, that will be the best way to do it, and I think that you should go now so you have plenty of time to take care of business,” replies Christian, looking at Gregory, wondering if he will get out of this.

  “Si, Baby, let’s go now. I will stop by to get some things from my room,” says Gregory, smiling, staring at Christian.

  “Okay, my vida. I’ll go get my bag from my casa. Christian, you’re covering for me at home?” asks Bella, looking at her hermano, raising her eyebrow.

  “Si, hermana, I’ll take care of it. I’ll tell them that you and Paty decided to go out. I’ll tell Jose Enrique to say the same thing. The hotel is the Paris hotel and you need to talk to the concierge Mary Jones. I suggest you call her now since she’s most likely taking care of Paty and Carlos,” says Christian, looking at Gregory, emphasizing that call now.

  “I’ll call right now,” says Gregory, looking at Bella, to confirm that she’s sure about marrying. He takes out his phone and calls the hotel.

  “Thank you for calling Paris hotel. How I can help you?” says the clerk.

  “This is Gregory Preston McKenzie, I need to reserve the bridal suite for tonight,” he requests, looking down into Bella’s ecstatic face.

  “Mr. McKenzie, we do have one bridal suite available. Would you like me to reserve it for you?” asks the clerk, ready to take his additional information.

  “Yes, please, and can you please transfer me to your concierge, Mary Jones,” requests Gregory, smiling, staring at Christian.

  “Yes, Mr. McKenzie, your reservations are completed. I will transfer you to Ms. Jones,” replies the clerk.

  “Thank you for calling the concierge, Mary speaking, how may I assist you?” asks Mary, smiling.

  “Yes, Ms. Jones, this is Gregory Preston McKenzie and I need you to arrange my wedding ceremony. You were highly recommended by Mr. Christian De La Cruz. I would like you to arrange everything the same as his wedding,” says Gregory, smiling with amusement, noting Christian’s anger.

  Yeah, I know that you just did the same thing hermano, thinks Gregory, with pleasure.

  “Yes, Mr. McKenzie, everything will be ready, and do you have an idea what type and color you want the flowers to be for the wedding chapel?” asks Mary, wondering how many more quick weddings will be coming her way.

  “We should be there around six. I want roses, red roses,” states Gregory, looking down into Bella’s pleased face.

  “Will you need wedding rings, gowns, accessories?” asks Ms. Jones, taking notes on her pad.

  “Yes, I want everything that we might need. My bride can select what she wants,” says Gregory, smiling with felicidad.

  “Okay Mr. McKenzie, I will be awaiting your arrival,” replies Ms. Jones, happy to assist in another wedding.

  “Thank you,” says Gregory, ending the calling staring at Christian. He pulls Bella closer to him.

  “Okay, everything is taken care of and we should go get our bags. We need to leave soon so we can get to Vegas in time. The wedding is scheduled for six,” says Gregory, grinning, looking at Christian.

  “Thanks for taking care of this issue immediately,” says Christian, nodding. He has respect and acknowledges the effort from Gregory to satisfy him.

  “No problema,” replies Gregory, grinning, gazing down into Bella’s green eyes. “Baby, why don’t you get a head start? I’ll pick you up at your casa at three.”

  “Si, my vida,” answers Bella, smiling. She turns to look at Christian. “Will you tell Jose Enrique what’s up?”

  “Si, hermana, don’t worry. Everything will be taken care of,” replies Christian, looking at his happy hermana. I can see that she’s truly in love. That’s okay with me as long as they marry today, ponders Christian.

  Bella turns off all of the computers and gathers her purse, turning to Gregory. “I’ll see you in a few,” she goes onto her tip toes to give him a beso.

  Greg is not going to let her go just like that. I don’t care that Christian is watching. He pulls her close and kisses her properly. Yeah, this is a beso, thinks Gregory. He smiles down at Bella with felicidad.

  “Okay, Baby,” says Gregory, looking over her head at Christian’s pissed face. Well isn’t that too bad, thinks Greg, amused.

  “Adios, hermano, and gracias,” says Bella, giving him a hug before leaving.

  Christian turns, closes the door, and turns back to stare at Gregory. He lifts his right eyebrow in a question.

  “Yeah, I know,” says Gregory. He doesn’t bother to hide his true identity because he’s going to be part of la familia. He also knows that Christian is a Navy SEAL.

  “Okay, spill,” says Christian, sitting down to listen to him.

  “It started last Friday and you know that the government monitors everything. So we got assigned to see what’s up and to gather Intel. You know that’s all we can do,” states Gregory, sitting down in Bella’s chair. “I’m spilling because of who you are and because of Bella.”

  “Yeah, I know,” replies Christian, frustrated, pacing. “I just learned of this now from my primo, Jose Enrique.”

  “It’s fucking stinks. Carlos and I have been trying to think of something to get them off the familia’s back,” states Gregory, standing up to go to the window.

  “Jose Enrique just got news from the police that our job site manager was found murdered,” says Christian, turning to gaze out the window in deep thought.

  “Fuck, no!” growls Gregory, turning to look at him. He starts pacing with frustration. “They’re willing to kill and that sucks.”

  “Yeah, I’m terrified for my familia. I’m only here until Monday morning,” replies Christian, pacing, running his hands through his hair.

  “We have been keeping track of the calls and advising our SO Officer. You and I know that they’ll do what they want, when they want,” says Gregory, pacing around the office trying to think.

  “Okay, you go and take care of this marriage,” says Christian, turning to look at him. “I’ll be here this weekend. I will talk to you and Carlos at Sunday dinner.”

  “Okay, later,” replies Gregory, leaving to get the Intel to his SO Officer and his bag.

  “Greg,” says Christian, looking at him stop, turn at the door. “Thanks.”

  “No problema, we’re familia,” replies Gregory, grinning. He turns and walks out into the hall.

  Christian returns to Jose Enrique’s office and closes the door. He sits down, contemplating. What should I tell Jose Enrique? I cannot blow their cover no matter how much I want to. I know the importance of what they’re d
oing.

  “Primo, is Carlos marrying Paty?” he asks, wanting to know that for sure he’s part of la familia.

  “Si primo, Carlos is marrying Paty. He’s also your hermana, Erica’s, novio’s hermano. He’s Gabriel’s hermano. What a small world,” replies Jose Enrique, smiling.

  “That is unreal. Carlos is Gabriel’s hermano?” asks Christian, with amazement.

  “Primo, Bella is leaving now with Gregory to Vegas to get married,” says Christian, looking at Jose Enrique.

  Jose Enrique looks at Christian, nods in understanding of the circumstances. “We need to make sure they marry?” asks Jose Enrique.

  “Si, primo, we do,” replies Christian, looking out the window. “We need to tell our padres that they left together,” Christian walks over to his primo. “Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

  “Yes, primo, Tony is in love. He found the one,” says Jose Enrique, looking at Christian’s reaction. “The deal is that Tony is not at the moment committing to her because she’s Lopez’s hija.”

  “She’s Lopez’s hija? That means?” asks Christian, confused, staring at Jose Enrique.

  “It means that the Mexican cartel claims that we were recommended by Lopez. Lopez is our client. We’re building his new shopping center,” says Jose Enrique, looking at his primo.

  “Hmmm, so Tony is having conflicts because she’s Lopez’s hija?” asks Christian. “She’s the one. That sucks.”

  “Yeah, it sucks. She’s real bella and she loves him. Tony is real stressed out,” says Jose Enrique, nodding. He pulls at his tie and unbuttons his shirt.

  “Yeah, I bet. We need to help him. I think that he should commit to her because she’s not to blame for what her padre does,” says Christian, looking at his primo. “He needs to be with her.”

  “I told him, that he’ll be with her sooner or later. There is no way around that. I don’t expect him to give up his alma gemela,” says Jose Enrique, looking at Christian. “Tony is concerned that the familia will not accept her because she’s Lopez’s hija.”

  “Yeah, we need to talk with him. See ya later, primo,” replies Christian, walking to the door. “I need to leave. I have errands to do with my Cielo,” he grins, walking out of the office.

  “Adios, primo,” says Jose Enrique, taking a seat at his desk.

  Christian went to look for Monique in the Interior Decorating Design Department. He enters the office and stands to observe Monique. She’s assisting Jessy with some materials and colors.

  “Jessy, I like this color a lot better with that material,” says Monique. She places the color right next to the material.

  “Monique, I think you’re right,” replies Jessy, nodding in agreement, putting the color and material on the board.

  “My Cielo, are you ready to go?” asks Christian, walking up to her and pulling her into his arms. “You’re supposed to be working on me.” He enjoys watching her blush.

  Jessy laughs, and she turns away to give them some privacy.

  “Hola Jessy, how are you?” asks Christian, looking at her as she turns away. Jessy turns around smiling.

  “Christian, I’m doing great. I just love working with Monique,” says Jessy, looking at them so in love.

  “I’m sorry that I’m taking her away from you today,” says Christian, a little guilty.

  “Christian, I understand. We all understand. It’s Friday, so it’s a little slower,” replies Jessy, sitting down when she feels a little faint.

  Christian quickly strides over to her and helps her sit down onto the chair. “Jessy, are you okay? Do you want me to call Jose Enrique?” asks Christian, observing how pale Jessy is.

  “No, Christian, don’t worry. It’s a just a little fainting spell. I’m okay, now,” says Jessy, blushing from embarrassment. She smiles, looks at Christian. She then notices that Monique is also blushing.

  “Okay, if you say so,” says Christian, nodding, not wanting to impose.

  “Do you want something to drink?” asks Monique, worried for Jessy.

  “Really, I’m okay,” says Jessy, looking at them. “Why don’t you two get going? You have a few hours to complete your errands.”

  “Okay, Jessy, but I’m letting Jose Enrique know. I think that he should come and stay with you for a little,” says Christian, calling Jose Enrique.

  Jose Enrique shows up in no time, going over to Jessy. He pulls her into his arms. “Are you okay? Maybe you should stop for today and go home,” says Jose Enrique, looking at how pale Jessy is.

  “Okay, primo, we leaving. I really have to take care of these errands,” says Christian, taking Monique’s hand and walking out of the office.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Christian and Monique went to purchase their new bedroom set and all of the linen that they needed.

  “Is there anything else that we need?” asks Christian, pulling Monique into his arms, kissing her deeply.

  “No, Baby,” replies Monique, smiling, feliz with all of their purchases.

  “Okay, let’s go to our casa,” says Christen, walking to the carro. They arrive at the casa. They walk into the familia room.

  They arrive in time for dinner. “Mama, Monique and I are home,” says Christian, holding on to Monique’s hand.

  “Mis hijos, you’re in time for dinner,” says Mama Maria, smiling. “Have a seat at the table.”

  Monique sits down next to Christian. “Señora, is there anything I can help you with? Do you want me to warm up the tortillas?”

  “No, mi hija, everything is ready. If you want, you can help me serve,” says Mama Maria, smiling, heaping the plate full of food and hands it to Monique.

  “Please, hand these plates to your suegro and Christian,” says Mama Maria, serving up the next plate for Monique.

  “Mi hija, we’re done and the tortillas are in the basket,” says Mama Maria, going to sit next to Papa Jose Arturo. “Erica is with Gabriel and Bella went with Paty and Alex is on a date. Nicolas and Danni went out to dinner with Angel Nicolas.”

  “I’m happy that you two made it for dinner,” replies Papa Jose Arturo, smiling happily. At least one of my hijos is at home for dinner, thinks Papa Jose Arturo. “The casa is starting to get empty and lonely. What I like about my hijos getting married is that now I’m waiting for my nietos.”

  “Si, Jose Arturo, I can’t wait to have more nietos playing in the yard with Angel Nicolas,” agrees Mama Maria, smiling, nodding.

  “I’m glad we did make it back in time for dinner because I’m starving,” says Monique, smiling. She’s enjoying the wonderful comida that Mama Maria made.

  “Si, mama, I love your cooking,” says Christian. He looks at Monique, hoping that she doesn’t get pissed off.

  “Baby, I don’t know how to cook,” says Monique, smiling at him. “Maybe I can learn how to cook by helping your mama.”

  “Si, mi hija, I’ll teach you during the days that Christian is at the base,” replies Mama Maria, with pleasure looking at Monique.

  “It sounds like fun,” says Monique happily. “I would love to learn to cook all of Christian’s favorite food. I’m looking forward to learning.”

  Christian leans over and gives Monique a beso on her check. Monique blushes, turns and gives him a quick beso.

  “Did you get the church date reserved by the priest?” asks Papa Jose Arturo, wanting to know if the important errand was done.

  “Papa, we have the church ceremony date for July 16,” says Christian, looking at his padres.

  “I’m feliz that has been taken care of,” replies Papa Jose Arturo, smiling at them.

  “Mis hijos, did you purchase your bedroom set?” asks Mama Maria, with curiosity. Una mujer always wants her cosas and at least their room will be their haven, thinks Mama Maria, nodding.

  “Si, Mama, Monique picked out a beautiful bedroom set and all the linen,” replies Christian, pulling Monique closer to his side.

  “That’s excellent! And what color bedspread did you
get Monique?” asks Mama Maria, with curiosity.

  “I really liked a beautiful blue color,” replies Monique, blushing, feliz with her choice.

  “It must be beautiful since you’re an interior decorating designer,” says Papa Jose Arturo, smiling at his new hija.

  “Si, papa, she’s has wonderful visions for our room,” replies Christian, smiling at Monique. He remembers how she described how their room will look when it’s finished.

  “I cannot wait for you to finish your room Monique. Maybe I’ll have you redecorate my room,” says Mama Maria, smiling, flashing her dimples. She’s anticipating a new redo to her room.

  “That’s an excellent idea and maybe Monique will like to redo our entire casa. It really does need to be updated,” says Papa Jose Arturo, looking at Monique.

  “Oh, Dios mio, that will be so much fun,” says Monique, blushing with felicidad. “I will love to help you to redo your casa.”

  “That will keep you busy and the time will pass quickly,” says Christian. Yeah, this is a great idea. My Cielo will not get too lonely if she’s busy, thinks Christian.

  “Your right, Baby, and I just love it,” replies Monique, thinking of all sorts of idea’s to present to them. “I will need to know the colors, styles, fabrics you like. I will make some designs for each room. We can adjust them to your personal tastes.”

  “Yes, mi hija, I love the idea,” says Mama Maria, smiling, nodding.

  Dinner was over and they enjoyed their visit. “My Cielo, do you want to go to the club? My primos will be there,” asks Christian, holding Monique’s hand.

  “Si, Baby, that sounds like lots of fun,” replies Monique. She gets up to gather all of the dirty dinnerware to take to the sink.

  “Okay, let’s go and get ready,” says Christina smiling. “Mama you want me to put the dishes in the dishwasher?”

  “No, mis hijos, I can do that,” replies Mama Maria, pushing them to go and get ready. “You go and enjoy your evening.”