Her warm little body curled against me is what I’ve longed for those long nights I hunted her. Then after I had her back in the safety of my home, I couldn’t stop watching over her. Obsessed with her to the point where I couldn’t sleep if I wasn’t holding her. I won’t apologize for the feeling she evokes in me. It took me long enough to come to terms with what she is to me. I may never be worthy, but she will always be mine.
“I swear to you—on the name I once disgraced, on the blood I spilled for right and wrong, on the serpent I had to become and the man I still hope to be — I will rip the sun from the fucking sky if it means keeping you safe by my side. All I ever wanted to do was protect you. I will be your monster, little trouble. You should be very careful loving me.” Tipping her face up, I take her lips. “Now, tell me the words you were so eager to say earlier.”
“Ti amo, Hadrián.” Cupping my face, she places light kisses all over my face. “Ti amo, La Serpiente.”
New Orleans
SABINE is emblazonedon the marquee of the quaint little restaurant that sits on the corner of one of the busiest streets of the French Quarter.
“O mezanmi!” I look down to see my little jewel cupping her cheeks as surprised delight washes over her in wave after wave of happiness.
“T-they named their restaurant after me.” Eyes wide with wonder, she takes slow, measured steps toward the entrance.
A bustling atmosphere and delicious-smelling food greet us as we enter, as well as a tall, severely dressed maitre’d.
“Reserved under?” His gaze sweeps over us with disdain, although we are dressed similarly to those at the table. Only these other couples aren’t sporting visible tattoos, whereas our bodies sport the most magnificent artwork.
“Hadrián Cabrera.” Having anticipated being turned away, I insisted on making reservations.
“Hm,” he peruses the guest list for an inordinate amount of time. “Unfortunately, I don’t see the reservation. Perhaps you got the names mixed up? It happens quite frequently.” His tone drips with condescension. I wonder how many tourists he denies entry because they seem too gauche to sit at a five-star restaurant.
“Can you tell the owner their daughter, Sabine, is here.” Tilting her head to the side, she smiles at him in a nasty-nice way. “I promise you, we are expected.”
Drawing himself up, he clutches his throat. “Qui, yes of course. Monsieur Pierre said…” trailing off, he gives us a plaintive look. “Pardon, — excuse me, I will get Monsieur and Madam right away.”
Signaling to a hostess to take his place, he hastens through the restaurant with as much grace as a man who’s under threat of losing his job can muster.
Seconds later, a beautiful woman and a rugged-looking man emerge from the back of the house.
Stopping just short of us, they look us over. Their eyes seem to kiss every part of Saban they touch.
Reaching her hands out in supplication, Angelique approaches Saban as if she’s afraid she’s going to run away. Saban’s small form next to mine seems to brim with anticipation.
She’s confessed her concerns that her parents would reject her, thinking they wouldn’t appreciate her tattoos.
“I think the only thing they care about is your being alive and back in their lives, mi amore.” I told her, holding her close in the hotel earlier.
“Yeah, but once the happy reunion is over, then come the hard questions, like how I ended up with my guardian. Worried, she pulled out of my arms, but I snatched her back.
“I will tell them because I love you, and I won’t spend another second without you.” My voice was hard, and I know my eyes were too. She needs to know I will go head to head with her parents or anyone else who dares question what we have.
“I bet you will.” She smirked, getting on her tiptoes to kiss me.”
“Now looking on as he mother then her father wrap her in their embrace I know that no matter the questions or concerns they have it will be out of love and these folks won’t be doing anything to push their daughter newly found to them out of their life.
“Come, let’s eat.” Pierre reaches out to shake my hand. “I heard you save my bebe and took real good care of her.”
“Yes. He did.” Saban smiles at me over her shoulder with her mom’s arm wrapped around her.
“She saved me too in more ways than with of us ever realized.” I say to them never taking my eyes off pequeña amenaza.
Epilogue
MWEN RENMWN OU
SABAN
5 years later… December 18th
