I feel a warm, steady grip on my arm—Mateo. “That’s enough for today, Nico. Time to go.” The way he says it leaves no room for argument. Nico mutters something under his breath, but he turns and stalks off without another word.
My whole body is vibrating with leftover adrenaline when I turn back toward Mateo.
He smirks, shaking his head. “Remind me to never piss you off, chula. Seeing you go crazy like that? Hotas hell.”
I let out a disbelieving laugh, shoving lightly at his chest. “You’re insane.”
“Probably,” he says easily, eyes glinting. “But still true.”
I suck in a breath, watching Nico’s figure disappear into the crowd before finally turning back toward the festival. Maya knows that Nico is her father. She’s always known of him. She doesn’t know much of why he hasn’t been around; I’ve kept it vague. I don’t know if it’s been for her sake or for his. Maybe a little bit of both. She’s still so young, and I didn’t think she was ready to learn that her dad simply made the choice to not be around. That he wasn’t man enough to be the father she needed.
Seb was furious that Nico was there. He’s also upset with me because I didn’t tell him that Nico showed up in town. But, fuck.I’mstill trying to wrap my head around it. I’m trying to come to terms with my own feelings about it all, and as much as I love Seb, I can’t manage his feelings too. It’s too damn much, and I have Maya to consider.
I have to admit…Mateo looked sexy as hell getting in Nico’s face. Other than Seb, and my girls, no one has ever gotten so protective of Maya and me. It was nice. I think I could get used to it.
For the rest of the day, we walked around the festival eating copious bowls of chili, apple cider donuts, and pies. So many more pies.
Chapter Eight
ANALYSE
I’m exhausted. I hardly slept a wink last night, tossing and turning, stressing about this situation with Nico. I’m so damn mad, and the more I think about it, the more pissed off I get. He can’t just show up unannounced like that. We need to set some ground rules.
I’m gulping my coffee when my phone pings with a text, I reach for it and see that I have several messages from The Council of Chaos.
Anna
Are we still pretending like nothing happened yesterday or can we ask questions now?
Mari
Anna, we’re giving her time. Remember?
Anna
I actually don’t remember that. What was I doing when you told me this?
Mari
Literally sitting in my car. It was last night. On our way home from the festival.
Anna
Ahh, see, that’s where you went wrong. You had Aventura playing in the background, and you know I can’t focus on anything else when my baby Romeo is singing to me.
Mari
Omg, Anna. You weren’t listening to anything that I said?
Anna
I’m sorry, Mari. But we have to get back to the point.
Mari
Which is?
Anna
