The guilt burrowing in the back of my mind became harder and harder to ignore. I was luxuriating in a bubble bath while my kids were being raised by strangers, and I was pulling Anthony and Elias away from their own kids. The bath lost its luster.
“Coya? Quick question.” Anthony stuck his head in the door and blinked several times as he stared at me.
“Yes?” I was secretly happy that the sight of me in the bath made him lose his train of thought.
“I wanted to make sure you didn’t mean medium rare.” He made a face of disgust as I replied.
“No, I’d like medium well, please.” He opened his mouth to argue with my steak choice, but I sent a splash of water toward the door. He dodged it with his lightning reflexes, laughing.
I soaked and leisurely washed while I waited on my food. When we heard a knock, Anthony shut the bathroom door so no one would catch a glimpse of me. My gnawing stomach urged me to get out and wrap up in the ultra-plush hotel robe. I made my way out to the dining area to see the guys ordered the same meal I did, with their steaks rare.
“Do you two have a craving?” I asked.
“We need to keep up pretenses, and it won’t hurt us to absorb a few extra vitamins with the food since we're rationing our blood,” said Elias through a mouthful of steak.
Dinner was delicious as long as I didn’t look at their undercooked steaks. When I’d eaten my food and a little of their vegetables—no way I was touching their raw steaks—I climbed up into the bed and turned on a TV that floated up out of the end of the bed. Low chuckles matched my giggles as I made the TV go in and out of its hidden cabinet. I flipped through a few channels until I found a show about a vampire slayer and left it there to be cheeky.
Anthony went out to see about finding us a plane. Elias watched a few episodes, laughing his way through the misconception of a vampire while I paced the room, bored and restless. I changed into yoga pants and a tank to have something to do.
“Play cards with me.” Elias produced a deck of cards, and I sat down with a sigh to pass the time. We started playing strip poker, and I was down to my tee and panties in no time.
I fanned my full house out on the table with a flourish. “Read ’em and weep, Eli. Take off your pants.” I gave an exaggerated eyebrow wiggle and duck lips.
“Not so fast, there, smarty pants. I’ve got four of a kind.”
My ridiculous expression left my face as I read his cards. He had four aces. “How?!”
“Lose the shirt, Riles.” I gave him a fake scowl and started to take off my shirt when the hotel room door burst open.
“I can’t leave for a few hours... coming back to find you two in a compromising situation.” Anthony walked over to the table and quirked an eyebrow at Elias's state of undress.
“We were restless.” I feigned a pout.
I was surprised to discover it was dusk outside, I’d become so wrapped up in the card games. The darkening city was beginning to light up, so I settled into a plush chair by the windows to watch the night come alive.
Anthony filled us in on his day. We wouldn't be able to embark on the rest of our journey until morning, given how long he looked for a plane. He’d been unsuccessful chartering a plane straight out of Mexico City but heard of a pilot willing to make trips for cash in Córdoba.
We prepared for an early bedtime. My eyelids grew heavy, my body snuggled in between the two new enigmas in my life. I was content, despite my guilt, despite my nerves, despite missing my boys. I drifted off to sleep between them.
* * *
Riley, I'm coming. Don’t worry, beautiful one. I'm finally on my way to you. Stay with Elias and Anthony. They are the least dangerous option right now. I will find you wherever you are. You are my destiny, and I'm yours. Sleep now and watch for me. I will take care of you.
* * *
I woke in luxurious splendor. The mattress in the hotel matched the comfort level of the tub. I was rested like I'd slept on a cloud sent to me by angels.Are angels real, too?
Two large blood-sucking heaters enveloped me in warmth and security. The city illuminated the night, and I was surprised I'd slept so well with the room brightened by the city lights.
We were a triple spoon on the big bed. Anthony was behind me, and I was snuggled up to Elias's back. I wiggled down the bed so I could cool off a bit. All the body heat had me sweating.
Elias's flip phone sat on the bedside table, so I checked the time. Five after three in the morning. I had the urge to use the bathroom and gave their sleeping forms a gleeful look. They didn’t move as I got up, so hopefully, they were sleeping soundly. I ran to the bathroom. I could poop without them smelling!
I finished my business and washed my hands. Finding air freshener under the sink, I sprayed it liberally to save any embarrassing smells drifting through the door.
When I walked out, Elias was sitting up in bed, staring out the window. Anthony slept, curled around the pillow I'd been lying on. "Good morning, Riley,” Elias whispered.
"Good morning. What does our day look like today?" I climbed onto the bed and snuggled into Elias's side. He put an arm around my shoulders, and I grasped his hand, marveling in the change our lives had taken in a few short days.
