The second the words leave his lips, my legs try to go out from under me. I collapse against him, and he sways a little as he adjusts his hold on me to keep me upright. “Whoa, careful there, beautiful.”
My eyes pop wide at the same time his do. I don’t think he meant to say that.
“Can you stand?” he says, his deep, gruff voice doing funny things to my insides.
“Yes. Of course.” I shuck out of his arms the same time he steps back, examining me carefully before he fully lets me go. I instantly miss the safety of his arm, though it’s only an illusion. But it’s one I enjoyed for the brief interlude I had it. “I’m sorry for acting so unprofessional. I promise I’m not normally like this.”
“Sit down for a bit.” He gestures toward one of the stools. I pull myself up onto it as he retrieves a few bottles of water from the refrigerator. He hands one to me. “If you’re not feeling up to an outing, I can take Elio myself.”
Our fingers brush as I accept the bottle from him, igniting delicious tremors across my skin. I’ve never had such a strong, visceral reaction to any man before, and it scares me a little. “No, I’m fine.” I swipe at the moisture under my eyes, embarrassed and relieved in equal measure. “I’m sorry for falling apart like that, and I’m really, really sorry about arguing with Isa in front of Elio. It’s unforgivable.”
“Nothing like that can happen again.” He leans back against the refrigerator.
“It won’t. I swear.”
“You won’t have to worry about Isa. It’s in everyone’s best interests that she leaves now. She will be here on Saturdays to collect Elio, but that’s it.”
“I don’t want to deprive Elio of his aunt. He clearly loves her a lot. I don’t know why she dislikes me so much, but I will hold my tongue for Elio’s sake if you want to change your mind.”
“I appreciate the offer, but it wouldn’t work, and maybe a clean break is better anyway. Kids bounce back quickly.”
“They do, but she’s important in his life, and if he needs her, I’m okay with that.” I have learned a big lesson today. Who cares what that snotty bitch thinks? Let her insult me, insult my mother, all she likes. She doesn’t matter. Protecting Mom and ensuring we both get out of this alive is the priority. I shouldn’t have let some jealous cow get to me.
“It’s a hard adjustment for Isa too. She feels threatened by you, but it’s no excuse for the way she spoke to you. I’m sorry for the hurt it caused.”
“You don’t need to apologize for her, and I guess I need to develop thicker skin.”
“You’re still so young. It’ll come in time.”
“I’m not that young,” I protest because the last thing I need is him thinking I’m a weak little girl. I need him to see me as a desirable woman because my only chance at getting the intel Pablo wants is getting close to this man. “Everything I’ve endured this past year has aged me beyond my years.”
“It wasn’t an insult.” He glances at his watch. “We should go. I’m betting Elio is driving Umberto and Clint insane by now.”
* * *
When we reach Central Park, we climb out of the blacked-out SUV while the bodyguards retrieve the bicycles from the roof. The three of us depart on one of the cycle routes, with Umberto and Clint jogging on the sidewalk behind us. It’s a brisk January day, and biting-cold wind slices across my face as we travel at a leisurely pace.
The park is more subdued this time of year. No light-pink blossoms adorn the cherry trees, and I miss the lavender-pink buds of the Eastern redbuds in full bloom. But there’s something about winter with the crisp chill in the air, the trees bare of leaves—except for the evergreens—and the abundance of trampled foliage covering the sidewalks and pathways that soothes me. Lingering traces of snow cling to the uppermost branches of the trees we pass by, painting a pretty picture.
The frigid wind on my face reminds me I’m alive, and right now, there’s a lot to be said for that. So, I try to live in the moment and not dwell on the terrible predicament Mom and I are in. Maybe that makes me a selfish daughter, but I’m clinging to my sanity by my fingernails right now.
After the bicycles are packed away, we get coffees from a cart and a hot chocolate for Elio and sit on a bench to drink them. The bodyguards make zero attempt to blend in, leaning against the trunks of trees and scanning every passerby as if they’re a threat. It’s comforting. I wonder where Diego and Alvaro are. I’m sure they’re lurking somewhere close by, as the cartel cell in my jeans pocket would have notified them I’m on the move.
If I didn’t think Mom would be punished for it, I’d consider drawing attention to them in the hopes Cristian’s men might beat the shit out of the two assholes. That’s something I’d gladly root for.
“Your nose is all red, Slowpoke Sloane,” Elio says, grinning that toothless grin.
“Look in the mirror, little dude.” I boop him lightly on the nose. “I’m gonna start calling you Rudolph.”
Elio bursts into song, and Cristian and I join in, garnering our fair share of curious looks from passersby.
“Christmas was last month,” some know-it-all spotty-faced teenager shouts as he whizzes past on a skateboard.
“Don’t care!” Elio shouts back, poking his tongue out. “What a grinch,” he mutters under his breath when the teen is out of sight.
My lips twitch at the corners, and Cristian chuckles. I shiver as a gust of wind whistles past us, lifting stray strands of hair from my ponytail.
“You’re cold.” Cristian’s gaze roams quickly over me. “That coat isn’t warm enough, and you need a hat and gloves.”
