Chapter 27
LUCERO
The world came to a halt the moment my husband fell into my arms and hot tears soaked into my tux. I held him close, scanning the room for any threat.
Who the fuck made him cry?
My hands moved on their own as I checked for any physical injury.
If someone was stupid enough to touch Onyx, I'd make sure that death would seem like a Christmas gift once I was done with them.
My breathing became labored the more I checked and found nothing.
Anger bubbled up inside as the seconds ticked by.
Beads of sweat slid down my spine the longer I went without knowing where to aim my frustrations.
I shouldn't have left his side.
"Bella." I licked my lips, pulling him back enough to see his face.
His makeup had been minimal for tonight.
Still, I wiped away the gray lines of running mascara.
His eyes were red and there were more tears welling up.
My chest ached at the sight before me. Air caught in my throat as I opened my mouth, but to say what?
In all the time I'd known my husband, not once had I ever seen him cry. Not like this.
I leaned down, pressing our foreheads together.
I'm here.
The words echoed through me, but I didn't say them. The bathroom door opened, and Onyx jumped. It took me no time at all to pull out my gun and have it aimed at the man standing at the door.
"Fuck, sorry." Just as fast as he'd stepped in, he ran back out.
I wanted to ask if that was the man who'd upset Onyx so badly, instead I grabbed my husband, lifting him a little under his ass.
He didn't let out a sound. His arms naturally went around my neck. His face was buried in the crook over my throat as if he was trying to hide away. I’d shield him from the world if that was what he needed from me.
The door opened again, and I was ready to pull the trigger.
Fuck it, Damian and Nash would be pissed but they'd deal with the shit.
Before I could shoot, a familiar head with dirty blond locks gelled back came into view.
Nash took a cursory glance around checking for bodies or threats.
His gaze finally settled on us before he nodded.
"There's a car out back."
Onyx took a shuddering breath, and I squeezed him, reminding him that he wasn’t alone, that I’d always be there.
Words could convey so much but actions told everything.
I pressed a kiss to his head, the soft strands of hair tickled my flesh.
I breathed in the soft coconut scent and let out a sigh as I forced myself to relax for him.
"I should stay." Onyx didn’t sound all that convincing. His lips were pressed against my throat. “We didn’t get to check out every program or speak to everyone.”
"I'll put some charitable donations down in his name." Nash’s lips were set in line, and I knew he wanted to ask what happened. I was glad he didn't. I had no clue, but there wasn't a doubt in my mind the moment I knew, my family would have my back in getting rid of said problem.
"Anything you need?" Nash asked. His question wasn't aimed at me but Onyx instead.
My husband took in a shaky breath, pulled back, wiping his face and plastered on a fake smile that made my skin itch. That wasn't my Onyx. He pushed at me, but I wasn't putting him down. Hell would freeze over before I let him go in his time of need.
"Lucero—" He tried again and I fixed him with a glare. "Fuck it." He faced Nash with that same smile on his face. "No, it's a personal matter. I will?—"
"Not sure if that big lug told you, but in this family, personal matters don't mean shit."
"I'm not a part of this family." A tear slipped down the side of his face. He shoved it away before reaching into his pocket and pulling a piece of gum out of its holder. He placed it in his mouth, chewing and avoiding both of our gazes.
"You are," Nash said, ignoring Onyx. "You two go ahead of us." He turned to leave but stopped short. "Lucero said a few people here are your clients. Let us know who so we know which ones not to expect paychecks from." He let the door shut behind him, leaving the both of us alone once more.
"Does your entire family not understand the word no?" Onyx asked.
I put my gun back in the holster under my jacket. I grabbed Onyx's chin and turned his head to face me. "Baby, he's not wrong. You're not in this alone anymore. You have me and my entire family."
Onyx's mouth opened and closed. There was a look in his eyes, one that was fleeting. I swore he wanted to give in and I so desperately wanted to help him.
"Lucero—" By the way he said my name, I knew he was going to shoot me down.
I took him by surprise instead and kissed him. Onyx snapped his head back so fast he almost fell out of my arms.
His delicate fingers covered his mouth. "I threw up."
"I don't care."
He avoided any more kisses, keeping his mouth covered. "That's fucking gross." Onyx slipped out of my hold, and the moment his feet hit the ground he attempted to run from me.
Oh, baby, you will never escape me.
The bathroom wasn’t exactly grand with a lot of space to go anywhere. Three stalls and a wall of urinals. I had him cornered and I didn’t even have to try. "We're married, Onyx, we share everything."
"Not this. You're taking it too far." Onyx looked around before sprinting for the door.
Oh no, you don’t.
I caught him just as his fingers brushed against the door handle.
I snatched him toward me. His back pressed against my front as he squirmed in my hold.
He threw his elbow back, jamming it into my rib cage.
I grunted as pain flared up my side. I loved when he was so feisty.
I kissed all over his cheeks and neck, anywhere I could get.
"Lucero.” He struggled in my hold. “You’re so gross. Hey, stop, that tickles.” A chuckle echoed around us and only spurred me on. “Hey.”
He elbowed me in the ribs again in the exact same spot. Pain blossomed over the area with more intensity than before. I was going to be bruised. The thought only made me happy. I’d be wearing more marks from my husband.
“Stop. Let me brush my teeth, or hell, at least swish some mouthwash." He twisted in my hold until we were face-to-face. His cheeks were red as he continued to dodge any of my kisses. A flick of his fingers against my nose gave me a pause. "Bad boy."
“That’s playing dirty.”
Onyx squinted at me. “You’re a psychopath if you think I’m going to let me kiss you.”
“You’re chewing gum.”
“Demented. I take it back, your mom dropped you on your head.”
I took the opportunity for what it was and closed the distance between us. My husband caught on before our lips met, and I kissed the back of his hand. I’d have to settle for it for now. "I love you, bella."
There was a long pause as we locked eyes. Onyx's gaze bore into me, and I could have sworn he wanted to say it back to me. Was he finally believing me? That I loved him and only him? Did he love me too?
"Love you so much." I kissed the back of his hand again.
"Why?" Onyx asked. His whisper barely could be heard over the light instrumentals that played in the bathroom.
Why? Where did I even begin?
"You're who I think about the moment my eyes open and even while they are closed. You make me feel whole. Without you, there is a constant lack of light in my life. You’re my sanctuary as well as my personal torture. There isn't one single reason why I love you.” My head was a jumbled mess and calm at the same time. How many times had my family asked me? How many times had I thought about it? For a long time I just knew I did. It was something I couldn’t possibly explain.
I knew when I looked at Onyx, that was it.
I’d found my person. Standing here, in front of my husband as he showed such vulnerability, I had an answer.
“Your smile when you're relaxed makes the stars look dim.
The way you're able to walk into any room and demand attention without trying. There’s the way you can't cook and yet you still try on occasions.
And, oh, you don't like watching romcoms and yet will sit through one with me.
You're really smart but you never make me feel inferior, not when it counts.
When I look at you when I'm in your presence, there is this feeling inside of me that feels like bombs are going off while my chest is filled with butterflies.
And every single day it gets more intense.
" I needed to say more. To make him see what I saw every single day. How strong and amazing he was.
Onyx stared at me, his eyes wide as if it was his first time ever hearing me tell him how much I loved him. "I want to believe you."
"If you don't, I'll make you."
He shook his head. "As crazy as you are, I don't doubt you will."
I took his free hand and brushed my lips over his knuckles. His skin was warm and soft to the touch. "I'd do anything for you, bella. And I mean anything." I audibly swallowed. "You asked me once if I'd betray my family for you?—"
Onyx moved fast, pushing up on his tippy toes and stretching up to cover my mouth. "Don't say another word. If you do, you're going to piss me off." The tears were back in his eyes, making them glossy. "Shut up and take me home."
As much as I wanted to say them, it had felt like a hot knife had been carving out my chest. My family meant so much to me, but Onyx, he meant everything.
I nodded, more than ready to leave the bathroom and be in the comfort of our home.
He dropped back down, removing his hands from my mouth.
The moment we weren't touching, I ached for him.
Before I could ask to hold his hand, he intertwined our fingers.
Heat etched up my arm before blossoming over my chest and throughout my entire body.
I love this man so much.