by AJ Adams
"Thanks, boss. I think she'll be sensible, but I'm leaving it entirely up to her."
I could see Natalia was wilting, the chatter of her family beginning to overwhelm her. Although it wasn't even ten o'clock yet, local time, Natalia had been on the go for more than a day with only a snatched hour of sleep.
As Millie looked over at me for help, I was up and moving. "Come on," I told Natalia, "time to go home, corazon."
She was beginning to squint with strain. "Quique, I can't. It's not right."
Talk about wishes coming from the heart, right? "Ay, Natalia! I meant your apartment, not Nuevo Laredo."
"Oh."
As she got to her feet, James was frowning. "Bruja, what do you mean, you can't go home?"
"Yeah," Matu was looking upset. "What's wrong?"
"Natalia can do what she likes," I was firm. "If she wants to be with her family, I can stay in London."
"Of course!" Jorge said right away. "We can always use a good man."
"But Quique, your project!" Natalia protested. "You can't give that up!"
"There are other things I can do, too. Don't worry about it."
"And don't worry about the wedding," the boss said. "We can figure something out."
Natalia looked stricken. "Ohmigod, I must be losing my mind! I forgot! There's your wedding, and there's another film crew coming, too, and I promised to make a menu and organise a trial run for Heaven."
"Sounds like you've got a man you love and your dream job, catering weddings and special events," Millie said. "Why can't you go back?"
"It's complicated."
"It's not," I told her. "You do what you want, and I'll fix it."
"But Quique!"
"Time to go to bed. You can argue with me tomorrow."
"There's a plane whenever you want one," the boss was hugging her. "Anything you want, just say."
"Natalia, anything you need here, call me." That was James.
"Yeah, we'll be round tomorrow, okay?" Matu told her.
"Starting with a ride home," Lencho waved the keys to the Merc.
"I think I need some air," Natalia was half laughing, half crying. "Thanks!"
It was hugs all round, and as they trooped off, Bobby turned to Natalia. "You've got good friends there. Don't waste your time here; make a better life for that baby you're carrying."
"Exactly," Suzie agreed. "Go for it!"
"Don't sacrifice yourself again, Nats." Her ex was actually thinking about her for a change. "You've always worried setting up shop here would be difficult."
Natalia was thinking of arguing, I could see it in her eyes. "Enough!" I ended it. "Home and sleep, mamacita!"
That got her.
"Mamacita! Ohmigod, Quique! Don't you dare call me that!"
I got an arm around her waist. "A hot mamacita, too. You forget, corazon, back home we think pregnant women are sexier than skinny models."
She was still smiling when I got her to the apartment, but then it all came crashing back again. I let her talk; she needed to get it out of her system.
"Oh, Quique, I'm so sorry. I should've gone on the pill."
"You're crazy. Go and shower while I make tea."
Ten minutes later, wrapped in a towel, "You can't stay in London; you're dying to set up the new commercial centre."
"Chema and Rafa can handle it. I found your lilac PJs. Put them on."
"But your home is there!"
"It's with you and our baby. Get into bed, corazon."
Her eyes were red with fatigue, but she was determined. "I'm not trapping you into anything."
"That's right. Drink your tea."
"You don't even know if it's yours!"
"Si brujita preciosa! It probably belongs to one of the many men you've been seeing."
Before I'd even gotten round to hugging her, she was squirming, looking guilty. "Sorry, I'm a bitch. I didn't mean it."
"That's just stress talking. Or hormones."
"Are you going to be this nice for nine months?"
"Yes. Pregnant mamacitas get a free pass. Your tea's getting cold."
She finally settled down, lying back in the bed and saying apologetically, "It's been a hell of a day."
"One for the books." I picked up a foot and began rubbing it. "You did a beautiful job."
"You scared him so neatly that he just folded."
"Yeah, funny that. Usually the creeps are cowards."
"I couldn't put him behind bars. He was right about that. Smith would never believe us or charge him. I had to corner him."
"I understand. You had no alternative. But sweetheart, you did it without killing him. That was an achievement in itself. If it were my business, I would've taken him out."
"Maybe I should've. Scott's poison."
"You did what you thought right. Give me the other foot."
"Hmmmm, that is so good." Her eyes were closing. "The family are half angry, half scared."
"They're good people. They'll be okay."
"They're scared of me."
Crunch time. "Sí, I saw."
"It really will go away?"
"They'll get used to you. But corazon, you have changed. You've fought a battle and you won, but it means you're not the same person you were three months ago."
There was a long sigh. But she wasn't arguing. "I know. I think I've got more of my dad in me than I thought."
"You belong with us, Natalia. We're the same."
One grey eye opened. "You know you sound like the devil, right?"
"Well, he's one of us, too."
That got me a grin. Then she was worrying again. "The family are at sixes and sevens."
"Maybe, but from what I see, they're finally getting on their feet and looking for proper help."
"Because I'm not holding them back?"
"No, corazon, because they've gone through a crisis, too. Everyone's shook up."
We sat in silence while she thought it through. "I guess you're right," she said finally.
"We can stay here if you like. We've got our eye on setting up a sea port. Or we go back, where we both have business."
"Meaning, no matter what I say, we're partners?"
"It's my baby too, corazon. It would kill me if you cut me out."
"I would never do that!" Another long pause. "But I feel like I'm trapping you."
"We went through that. You're not. We've got choices, Natalia, and whatever you want is good with me."
"Just like that?"
"Yes, we do what makes you happy. As for the family, if we go back, you're a plane ride away, and Jorge will watch out for them."
"I know. He's going to be a full partner in the pub. Bobby said so."
"Good. You won't need to worry." I rubbed her toes, flexing them. "Me, I'd prefer to have this baby and a couple more in Mexico and to move to London when they're six or seven. Schools here are better."
"You've got it all worked out?"
"If it's a girl, I'm thinking Sofia for your mum and Maria for mine. For a boy, Sergio Henrique after our fathers."
That opened both eyes. "Oh, Quique!"
"I love you, Natalia. You make me happy, but it's more than that: when I'm with you, I feel I can do anything. You're my courage and my strength." I took her hand. "I've changed, too. Before this, I'd lost myself. I was on automatic. There was no joy. All I did was exist from one moment to another."
"Then you came. You opened me up, made me see myself and helped me be a better man. I can be my true self with you, even when I'm weak or scared, and you still love me."
She still wasn't saying anything, but tears were gathering in her eyes.
"I'll do anything you want, corazon, but please don't push me away."
"I love you, too," she whispered. "I shouldn't do it, but I can't give you up. I love you too much. Take me home with you, marry me, and we'll have babies and live happily ever after?"
"Sí, with all my heart. You and me, lado a lado, for ever."
She slid int
o my arms, soft, warm, silky and mine to keep. The thought caused instant wood. It also reminded me of something. "Ay, remember our first night here? When I woke up, and we were almost at it when we were still half asleep?"
She was giggling. "Think that was it?"
"I'm going for yes, because that night changed my life."
"And mine," she whispered. "I knew I'd found the perfect man."
"We're perfect for each other."
She was sweetly soft, my beautiful, strong, loving bruja. Kissing her, I began to peel her out of her PJs. The lilac ones I'd bought to annoy her. "Let me look at you, mamacita."
"If you don't stop calling me that, there will be trouble," she warned me.
"Ay-yay-yay! You and me fighting?" I was drowning in her perfume, rich and sweet. "I can't imagine it, bruja! There's no way you could win!"
"Is that so?" Her arms snaked around me. "Bring it on, love."
Epilogue: Natalia
The wedding setup was going well. All the tables were set, and the food was ready to go.
"Natalia, I've done the roses." Juanita was twisting her hands nervously. "Can you check to see if they're okay?"
They were perfect. "You could do this professionally."
"There's a course in Houston; it's a five-day practical seminar, but I'm not sure if I should go. I mean, who'd hire me?"
Typical Juanita. "I've got half a dozen christenings and three more weddings, and I'm sure they'd all love a flower package."
"Really? Ohmigod! But I can't leave the kids."
"You've got a nanny, and Carlos is here." I looked at Juanita's uncertain face and remembered most Zeta men made it part of their honour not to know how to cope with domestic work. "Dump the kids and the maid at our place. It will be good practice for us."
"Really? Oh, Natalia, thank you!"
I was being crushed in a happy hug when Chloe walked in. She was still superbly relaxed, but now, dressed in a tee and shorts with wedding makeup and hair, and with Raoul, her Siamese cat on her shoulder, she was frowning. "Has anyone seen Kyle? Everyone will be here in an hour for the ceremony, and he's disappeared on some mysterious mission."
"Ask Quique. He's by the barbecue, supervising the roast lamb."
"Getting drunk and stuffing his face, you mean," Chloe said astringently. "You spoil him rotten, Nats!"
"Like you don't spoil me?" Kyle appeared in the doorway, dressed in jeans and a red tee instead of his usual black and grinning like a maniac. "Surprise!"
He stood aside, revealing a small girl with short black hair and a lanky, sandy-haired bloke, both in fatigues and armed to the teeth. She had a knife on one hip and ankle, a handgun on the other, and he was setting down backpacks and rifles.
"Pepper!" Chloe put Raoul on the table, next to a plate of pâté to his purring delight, dashed across and threw her arms around her neck. "Where've you been?" She stood back, gazing at her critically. "You're hurt!"
"Stop fussing, Chloe," the voice was sweet as bells and her emerald eyes were straight from Disney, but she was as muscled as the Zetas. "It's nothing. I got a teeny bit shot."
"Mac! You're supposed to look after her!" Chloe punched him on the shoulder and was swept up in a hug.
"Ach Chloe, it wasnae my fault! The lassie wouldnae follow orders!" The Scot was bubbling with suppressed laughter. "I cannae do a thing with her!"
Quique came in, grinning broadly. "Pepper, preciosa! Colonel!" and it was backslaps and kisses all round. Then I got it: this was Chloe's friend, Pepper, and her husband Mac, a mercenary. I'd heard stories about their exploits from the crew, but as they sounded more far-fetched than James Bond, I'd dismissed them as tall tales. Now I was thinking I might be wrong.
"I thought you weren't going to make it," Chloe told Pepper.
"We wouldn't miss this for the world," Mac grinned.
"I've got a dress in my pack," Pepper added. "But I need some shoes. Unless you want me bridesmaiding in boots."
"I have shoes," Chloe grinned. "Where've you been? Kyle's been looking for a fortnight!"
"Kenya," Pepper said.
"Morocco," was Mac's answer.
"Rallying."
"On safari."
Kyle was guffawing. "You two should get your cover straight."
Chloe just raised her eyebrows, "I guess you've been on one of your missions again."
"We were just messing about." Pepper looked around. "We got you a gift."
"I hope it's not a bloody great big gun."
"No, no, the Nashab is mine!"
Kyle stiffened. "You've got an RPG-32?"
Pepper smiled. "I found it in a field. Finders, keepers!"
Mac was grinning. "Found it, my foot! She mugged a man for it!"
"Now I know what happened to LeCruz's camp," Kyle mused.
"Pepper's been blowing stuff up again," Chloe sighed.
"It was a mine, with child slaves," Pepper was digging in her pack. "We got the kids out and dealt with the buggers who'd been in charge."
"Then I hope you got them good!" Chloe exclaimed.
"She did," Kyle laughed. "I saw it on satellite. The flames lit up Liberia."
"Got it!" Pepper waved a knotted hanky in the air. "For you, from us!"
We all stared as Chloe opened it up cautiously. "It's not boogers, is it?"
What she got was a handful of what looked like crystal sugar.
"They need polishing," Mac said, "but we mined them ourselves."
"Diamonds?" Chloe was gobsmacked, shocked for once out of her habitual cool. "Dear lord!"
With the Zetas there's always something going on, and I was loving it.
"Natalia," the low growly voice in my ear came with a hug. "Everything okay, corazon?"
Quique had dialled down the Rottweiler act, but the protective streak was indelible. It had been a month since we'd returned to Nuevo Laredo, and with weddings bringing out strong emotions in everyone, I knew that he was concerned I was regretting my decision to leave London.
I'd agreed to come back to Mexico, seeing it was Quique's home, and I didn't want him to give up his new project. Also, although it was my choice and he told me he had options, it was what he secretly yearned for.
So I'd gone back with him, but at the time I'd worried whether I'd made the right decision. Now, looking into those loving black eyes, I was the happiest I'd ever been in my entire life.
I felt entirely at home with the Zetas. They all heard about Scott's dirty dealings and how we'd exposed him and dealt with him, and none of them were horrified.
"You did what you had to do," Solitaire told me. "Try not to agonise or second-guess yourself. He's a monster, and he wouldn't have stopped if you'd been weak."
"I'd have asked Quique to kill him," Juanita confessed. "Imagine threatening to have that little Delicia taken away!"
Even Chucho, who is really just a businessman, was approving. "Men like that damage families. You did the right thing."
And that's when I understood that Quique had been right. We did think alike. I probably should be upset or ashamed about that, but I'm not. When I lived a blameless life, working hard and playing by the rules all the way, I got stitched up and thrown into a more violent life. After that, the system was against me all the way.
Possibly I would've been different if Smith had helped Delicia, or if I'd been allowed to have a premises licence, but I'd been left to fend for myself. So I'm not sorry for anything I've done. What I told Scott I said to scare him into confessing, but I'd spoken the truth: I protect the people I love, and I play by my own rules. I won't apologise for that.
So I was among my own people in Mexico, and my own family were on the phone when they weren't on Facebook, quarrelling happily but getting themselves into better shape.
Uncle Bobbie has dates with Aunt Millie, Delicia confided. They go out for dinner before they have sex!
Frank's off the booze, Millie reported. He's got a market stall selling jeans and clothes; he bulk buys cheap from China, org
anised by Jorge. Roger's awfully jealous.
I'm opening a beauty shop, Suzie wrote. I'm asking Millie to come and help. It will keep her busy, and she can be independent—in case the counselling doesn't take. Will you tell Bobby he's not to interfere?
In other words: life as usual. Mind you, I talked to James, Jorge and the crew regularly, too, just to make sure everyone was safe.
As for Quique and me, we were deliriously happy. He was bouncing about, talking development with his usual enthusiasm and verve, and I was busier than a bee, because everyone wanted to use the caterer who was doing Chloe's wedding and cooking for Solitaire's Hollywood friends.
The baby was still making me sick, but now I knew what was causing it, I didn't care, because I was getting more and more excited about being a mum.
"It will have your eyes," I told Quique, "and luckily neither of us is short."
"Hopefully it will have your courage and my brains," he grinned.
"Arsehole! How many kids do you want?"
"I'd like four," Quique said. "Two of each. What about you?"
"I want a big family, but I'm not sure if I can produce them according to order."
"We'll figure it out as we go along."
And that was the joy of it. After months of telling ourselves that what we had was temporary, we now had a lifetime ahead of us. Years of loving living with family and friends. Because that's what matters. It's not money or status or success; it's love that makes a life.
So, waiting for our friends to arrive, I leaned against the heavenly muscles, luxuriating in the strong arms around me, and gazed into the warm brown eyes. "Everything's perfect, love."
We stood together, just being happy, when his phone buzzed. Speaking briefly and too quickly for me to catch, Quique grinned and took me by the hand. "Come on, I want to show you something."
A man in a van was waiting by the gate. Seeing Quique, he opened up the back, producing a large wicker basket. It shifted, and there was a curious sound.
Quique opened it up, "He was supposed to deliver tomorrow, but I guess you won't mind getting your engagement present early." He dipped into the basket saying, "I wanted to get you something special."
Then he lifted out two wriggling black and white puppies.
"They're not pedigrees. I found them in town yesterday, behind a dumpster. They spent the night at the vet's. She gave them a once-over, and she says they're healthy."