"I guess you could call it that," he said with a yawn.
It had been a long day, and I knew he was tired from all the action, so I turned over and stared at the moon which sat right outside the bay window, until I slowly drifted off to sleep.
WRATH
The sun shone brightly through the window the next morning. It crept slowly over the stark white comforter and my face, nudging me to wake up. My eyes fluttered open to my new surroundings, and for a brief moment I forgot where I was.
Rolling over to my side, I peered over the edge of the bed to see that he was still fast asleep. In all my life, I don't think I'd ever met anyone like him…until last night, of course. His tough SEAL exterior was just a disguise for the world to see, but I knew better.
Studying his face in the light of day, I noted how even more ruggedly good-looking he was. I almost couldn't believe my luck. Running straight into the arms of a gallant knight, charging to sweep me off my feet and save me from the evil monster I had just escaped from, just like in my books.
Thank you, God.
Slowly, I got out of bed and walked over to the window. The water was thrashing against the shoreline like there was a storm headed our way, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Good thing I didn't believe in bad omens.
What a view.
Staring out at the open ocean in front of me, I felt so free. I had almost forgotten what freedom felt like. Almost.
A strong hand rested against the small of my back. It was Hunter.
"I didn't even hear you wake up," I said.
"Well, I have been trained in stealth tactics." He chuckled as he looked out the window next to me.
"So, what do you think I should do?"
He turned to me, his eyes poring over my dress. "As much as I love seeing you in that, you're gonna need to blend in. Maybe I have something that will fit you. Come with me," he said, smiling.
He led me through the oversized bedroom towards his closet, digging through neatly stacked totes in the back of the closet.
"These are clothes from when I was in high school. I don't know why I just don't get rid of them."
"Well, you need them for all the women that you rescue who have forgotten to bring an extra set of clothes," I said sarcastically.
He chuckled as he continued to rifle through the clothes.
He handed me a shirt and a pair of pants. "These are probably still going to be three sizes too big for your frame."
"It's better than walking around in what I'm in now," I said, holding up the pants against my waist.
"I want to take you shopping. You can't wear my clothes forever."
"Shopping?"
"Yes, shopping."
"Outside?"
"You are going to be with me, and besides, Torello doesn't have a clue where you are. I can go myself, but you might not like what I come back with."
"No, no. I'll go," I said, realizing that shopping for women was not something he was trained to do.
"Okay, well the towels are in the bathroom. I'll be in the living room with Ari."
"Good luck with that," I said, winking at him before I walked into the bathroom.
He smiled as he closed the bedroom door behind him.
I turned the water on, looking at myself in the mirror as the steam began to fog it up. I still looked like myself, but different…if that made any sense. I studied myself until the steam was so thick there was no more of me in the mirror, only an indiscernible blur of color.
I stepped into the shower, letting its warmth envelope me. I couldn't remember the last shower I took without having to worry about listening for locks clicking open. I didn't want the shower to end, but I didn't want to keep Hunter waiting. After all, he was doing me a favor, putting his life on the line for someone he just met last night.
I got dressed and made it to the kitchen where Ari and Hunter were sitting at the kitchen table talking.
"Hey," I said, alerting them to my presence.
"Hey, we were just discussing your situation, and since Torello doesn't know where you are, you are safe here until you figure out what you want to do," Hunter said.
"Oh, I couldn't impose. I need to get out of town. I have an aunt in Phoenix, and I know she would take me in. I think a fresh start is the best," I replied.
"Yeah, the quicker you get outta town, the better for the rest of us," Ari retorted, chomping on an apple.
I glared at him.
"Shut the fuck up, Ari. You're asking for an ass beating," Hunter growled.
"I wish you would bring your SEAL ass over here. I'll show you the tactical shit jail taught me," Ari joked.
"Man, I could kill you with this napkin," Hunter said, throwing a napkin from the table at Ari's face.
"I wish a muthafucka' would try to kill me with this napkin." Ari laughed, using the napkin to wipe some apple juice from his mouth.
I stood and watched as they went back and forth.
Men.
"I'm gonna go home. I need to see if mom needs anything," Ari said, walking to the door.
"When are you gonna move out your mama's house?" Hunter asked.
"When she starts asking for rent." Ari laughed.
As we made our way outside, the bright sun felt warm on my face. The air was calm, and the birds were chirping.
How nice that must be…not to have a care in the world.
It almost seemed like the chaos from last night's escape had never occurred. I took in a deep breath of the salty sea air, filling my lungs with its relaxing spell.
"Are you coming?" he asked.
I smiled, and then hopped into the passenger seat.
"That's usually my seat, "Ari claimed.
"Oh I'm…" I was interrupted by Hunter's hand, grabbing my wrist as I was stepping back out of the car.
"It was your seat. Sit in the back," Hunter said, smiling at me.
Ari shook his head, mumbling something in Spanish under his breath. I could feel daggers shooting at the back of my head from the back seat. Luckily, the trip was a short one, stopping in front of an old brown stucco house in the middle of Logan Heights.
"Tell your mom I said hi," Hunter said, lifting the emergency brake.
"Tell her your damn self," Ari said, stepping out of the car.
"Another time."
Ari shook his head. "Pussy always makin' men do dumb ass shit. Don't say I didn't warn you about this, jàina!"
"I'm sitting right here, you know," I said sternly, looking out the window.
Hunter rested his hand on my knee, and whispered, "Don't egg him on."
The minute Ari closed the door, Hunter peeled out, leaving Ari standing in the middle of the street. I watched his body language from my side mirror, and he didn't look happy at all.
"You think he's gonna be alright?" I asked.
"Ari? He is always alright…just a little territorial," he said with a slight curl of his lip.
"Over another man?"
He laughed. "Over a fuckin' piece of toast."
I smiled as we zipped over the freeway toward Hillcrest, a bustling little city just outside downtown San Diego, the crowds making parking a nightmare. Finally finding a spot, I opened the car door to the scent of every food and coffee I had missed over the last few years. Standing there, I took it all in, remembering all the times I had run these streets as a teenager…remembering the freedom. It was that freedom I missed the most while being held captive by Rez.
"Are you just going to stand there?" Hunter asked.
I turned to him. "Where are you taking me?"
"You'll see," he said, stretching out his hand to me.
We walked into a small boutique, littered with sparsely stocked racks of overly priced clothes.
Does he know how much this shit costs?
One shirt was around fifty-seven dollars. Either he didn't know, or he was trying really hard to impress me, but little did he know that money was the last thing that would do that. I had just left that life. I pretended to
shop as I watched him have a heated conversation on the phone, standing on the sidewalk. I wondered who was on the other line, but I guess it was none of my business. I had already caused him enough trouble, and I was going to watch my step and my tongue around him.
"Ma'am, do you need any help?" the sales woman asked, startling me from my surveillance.
"No, no. I'm fine. Thank you," I said, shifting my gaze back down to the rack, and away from Hunter and his phone call.
If I had been shopping with Torello, I would've picked the most expensive thing, even if it was horrid, just to spite him, but I knew this man didn't make that kind of money, which in my opinion was a load of shit. Any man who offers his life in service to his country and others should make more than a low life bastard who used fear as a means to control people.
Hunter walked back in the store and found me near the back. "Find anything?"
"No. None of this stuff is my style," I said, not wanting him to spend any money on me.
"Really? Nothing?"
I shook my head. "You know, I remember a thrift store down the street. You think it's still there?"
"Let's find out," he said, twining his fingers with mine.
We headed down the street, and there it was, just the same as it was all those years ago. We walked in, setting off the chime on the door. The sales women crowded around me like bees to honey, raving over my long blonde hair, and my 'perfectly flawless' skin. Well at least that's what they were saying. Too bad they couldn't see how dirty my skin really was…how dirty I really was. I bet if they looked close enough, they would, but I wouldn't let them. I pulled away, thanking them for their kindness as I chose a few dresses off the rack and slid into a dressing room.
I settled on the plainest outfit I could find, a black tank top and a loose pair of jeans. The less attention I attracted, the better.
I walked out of the dressing room to find Hunter patiently waiting for me at the cash register. "Find everything you wanted?"
I looked at his soft eyes, wanting so desperately to kiss him, but I restrained myself. "I think I have."
The cashier giggled as she rang up the two dresses. "You two are so cute together."
I shook my head and smiled. "Oh no, we aren't…"
"Yes, we are, aren't we?" he said, shooting me a quick wink as he handed the woman his credit card.
She swiped the card and handed it back to him with a small bag containing my clothes.
My heart melted at his words. I hadn't been shown this sort of kindness in two years, and it felt a little foreign to me. It was a silent walk back to his car, neither of us knowing exactly what to say. In the span of an hour, we had gone from acquaintances, to something indefinable.
Stepping back out on to the sidewalk, I thought I caught a glimpse of Angelo. Startled, I jumped into Hunter's arms, wrapping mine around his neck.
"Whoa, what happened?"
I glanced over my shoulder, realizing the man I saw looked nothing like Angelo. My fear must have been playing tricks on me.
"You're shaking," he said, cupping his hand to my cheek, pulling my face toward him.
Our eyes locked, and time seemed to stop as he held me close on the busy side walk.
"I thought I saw…but I was wrong," I stuttered.
Running his fingers through my hair, he said, "It's normal. I'm going to keep you safe."
Slowly, I unwrapped my arms from his neck. "It's too dangerous to be around me. I'm sorry," I whispered, staring into his eyes.
"I'm not," he said before crashing his lips against mine.
I sank into the moment…our moment.
He broke our kiss when his phone began to ring. Pulling the phone from his pocket, he turned away from me, and said, "Hello."
Not wanting to eaves drop, I shifted my gaze toward the street, and as the minutes ticked away, my mind drifted to my perilous circumstances. Fleeing Rez was going to reap repercussions I wasn't ready to face. Staying would have meant death for me and now for Hunter, as well.
I just needed to stay out of sight long enough to get to Phoenix. Then I realized that even if I made it there unscathed, Rez's wrath wouldn't stop at the California border. He'd bide his time until I messed up. He was probably counting on me messing up.
And if he ever caught me, I just knew he'd kill me in front of a crowd, sending a message that opposing him wouldn't be tolerated. Thinking about Rez made my stomach churn, and I was tired of my stomach hurting.
A strong hand pressed against the small of my back. "Are you ready?"
"I'm gonna need to hide in the shadows for the rest of my life, aren't I?" I asked, staring at my shoes.
He placed his crooked finger underneath my chin, shifting my gaze from the street. "Not if I have anything to say about it," he said.
God, where have you been all my life?
"You can just walk away you know," I said, hoping he would say no. "There is no way Rez is going to forget this humiliation."
"Fuck Rez," he said, leading me back to his car.
BIG PÀPI CHULO
HUNTER
Right when we got back from shopping, my work phone rang again. It was Riley, Citadel's ops specialist, texting me.
Riley: Hey, we need you to come in and look over next week's op.
Me: Can you give me an hour?
Riley: No. I'm not sending your boys in on a half-assed mission. Get your ass in. NOW!
Me: I'll be right there.
I looked up from my phone. "Hey, I'm gonna need to head into work. I'm gonna call Ari, and have him come keep an eye on you."
"I don't need a babysitter."
"I didn't say you did, but I trust Ari. He'll keep you safe."
She shook her head. I knew she was a little apprehensive about him, especially because of the way he spoke to her, but there was no one else I could trust and I needed to get to work. Once Riley was pissed, it was all over.
I dialed Ari's number on my phone and waited for him to pick up. It went to voicemail. I dialed again, shaking my head as I waited. It went to voicemail again.
"This mutha…" I murmured.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
I dialed one last time. "Hello?"
"What the fuck," I said in a tight voice.
"Sorry man. My jàina was over, and she wanted some of her big pàpi chulo."
I shook my head. "I need you to keep an eye on Celeste. I have to run to work."
"I don't wanna be anywhere near that bitch, she's bad news."
"I wasn't asking."
"Fuck that. I ain't coming."
"Get your punk ass down here, or I'll come beat your ass myself."
There was a short pause before he answered. "Fuck! Fine," he yelled.
I could hear some rustling on the other end, a woman whimper, and then a door slam shut.
"Fine. Just know I didn't fuckin' get mine. That bitch's mouth was all up on my dick…you know how much fuckin' sweet talkin' shit I had to say to get her on her knees?"
"Just get your ass over here."
"You owe me a blow job, Hunter."
"Yeah, yeah. Add it to my tab."
"Plus, how'm I supposed to get there? I don't have a car remember?"
"Borrow your mama's car."
ARI
"Fuck!" I yelled as I hung up the phone.
I could hear Hunter smiling from here. He knew how much I hated having to ask for the car.
"Ma', I need to borrow your car!" I yelled from my bedroom.
"Get a job, mijito," she hollered back from the kitchen.
"Just gimmie the keys! I need to help Hunter out."
"Oh, Hunter? If it's for Hunter then my keys are in my purse," she yelled.
I shook my head. Sometimes I thought she wished Hunter was her son.
"Oh, Hunter's this, and Hunter's such a good man, and Hunter's that," I mimicked under my breath.
I pushed my dick back into my pants and zipped up before heading out of my room to her purse.
A
fter rifling through endless receipts and tissue paper, I finally found her car keys at the bottom of the massive gray pleather bag.
"Okay, ma', I'm leaving," I said, waving the keys in the air as I walked toward the door.
She peeked her wrinkled face out of the kitchen, her long gray hair rolled in a neat bun on top of her head. "You tell that nice boy, Hunter, to stop by anytime. I'll make him some homemade flautas."
I whipped around. "You never make me homemade flautas anymore, and you know that's my favorite."
"Well maybe if you got a job I would make you some flautas, too," she replied sarcastically.
"Ay, ma'!" I said. "I'm not Hunter."
"I know!" She shrugged her shoulders, and disappeared back into the kitchen.
I hopped into her burgundy '87 Brougham Cadillac and screeched off toward Hunter's, waving at my jaina as I passed her at the bus stop. She flipped me off.
"She'll get over it," I muttered under my breath, staring at her yelling at me through the rear view mirror. "I hope."
HUNTER
"He's on his way," I said.
"Great," she said sarcastically.
"I know he seems rough around the edges, but I grew up with him, and when we were kids he would beat up anybody who made fun of me. I was a scrawny little thing."
"You…scrawny? Hard to imagine," she said with a cute smile.
"Trust me. I was skinnier than a toothpick, but Ari, he always took up for me."
"People change."
"Yeah, I know, but he's like a brother to me," I said, pressing my lips to her cheek. "Trust me?"
"I trust you, and if you trust him, then I will too," she said, cupping her palm to my jaw as I moved away from her.
"What about you? How did you get mixed up with a mob boss?"
She took a moment, twiddling her thumbs as she thought.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," I said.
"No. No, I owe you an explanation…if not more."
"You don't owe me anything."
"But I do," she said solemnly.
I motioned for her to proceed.
"I met Torello at a party. That's when he was still charming. My parents didn't see it that way though, and they wouldn't let me see him. They said he was nothing but trouble. I should have listened. I was out one night, drinking with my friends, and I guess someone slipped something into my drink, because I woke up bound and gagged in a small room with three other girls."
Indecency: A Bad Boy Romance Page 4