Chapter 30 #2
“Your father was a gambler. That’s how he wound up in debt to Humberto.
My tío saw forcing Domingo to work for him as a way to pay off that debt, but also to get an insider within Papá’s household.
Papá and Tío Humberto had been on poor terms ever since they were kids, but Papá tolerated Tío Humberto because they were family.
However, once Papá married Mamá—even before they had the four of us—he didn’t consider his brother to be part of our immediate family.
Two nights after Domingo attacked me, he was coming out of an underground gambling ring, and Esteban was waiting.
Esteban gave him a choice. He could leave Colombia for good—go wherever he wanted but never return—or he could die.
Domingo pulled a gun on Esteban. He just wasn’t as quick as my husband.
He aimed at Esteban and missed. Esteban aimed and hit him.
I don’t know what happened between that shot and the one that killed him.
I never asked because I knew Esteban would never tell me. ”
“So, my father was shot.” Then tortured, then shot again.
“Yes.”
“That’s what I deduced over the years, but no one has confirmed it. I even tried looking up police records or any type of story in the newspapers, but it’s unsurprising there was no record of it.”
“There were mistakes the people of my generation made that have been revisited on our children. My sister, brothers, and I all wish we could undo that, but we can’t.
Unfortunately, you’ll be able to say the same thing one day.
But none of us blame our children or our adversaries’ children for the decisions their parents made.
So, I don’t blame you for Domingo’s infidelity.
I don’t blame you for Magdalena’s decision to be involved with a man engaged to another woman.
I don’t blame you for Ernesto working with Tío Humberto to murder Esteban.
None of this was your fault. Yes, you may look like your father, but that’s not who I see when I look at you.
Florencia, I see the woman my sobrino loves.
I see a woman who loves my sobrino. What I want to see is a happy future between the two of you. You both deserve that.”
We don’t have a chance to continue our conversation, and I don’t think there’s much more to be said when Pablo and the other guys show up.
I’m out of my seat and across the living room and into Pablo’s arms before I even realize my feet are moving.
He wraps his arms around me and lifts me off my feet.
We share a kiss other people probably shouldn’t see, but neither of us cares.
I hear Javier saying something to Luciana, and I catch him hugging her out of the corner of my eye.
He’s going home to Madeline, and the rest of the guys will stay to debrief us on what they can.
It surprises me when Pablo explains that.
I’m certain it’ll be a very abridged version, but I appreciate none of them will hide more than they have to.
It doesn’t take long for them to explain they only made a few steps forward in their progress, but it was better than nothing.
They wouldn’t tell us who they suspect is the mastermind behind all of this.
Less than half an hour after they arrived, Pablo and I are in an SUV headed back into Manhattan. If only we were in a town car, but for now, Pablo doesn’t feel it’s safe enough for that.
“I wish you were sitting on my cock right now, but this is far better for us. I’m trying to be responsible, but it’s hard.”
Pablo’s warm breath tickles as his lips practically press against my ear. I turn my head to respond, not wanting the driver or bodyguards to hear me either.
“I bet something’s hard, Papí.”
“I’ll show you as soon as the door closes to the outside world.”
It’s nice to be home, just the two of us. Pablo holds true to his promise. The moment he finishes locking the door, he’s backing me against the wall to the right. He crowds me, and I love it. His larger body boxes me in as his forearms rest on the wall beside my head.
“Chiquita, the things I want to do to you, the way I want to worship your body.”
“Do all of it, Daddy. Whatever you want.”
“Oh, I will. Tonight, and in the years to come.”
The thrill of that promise courses through me. We gaze into each other’s eyes, and I know I want to tell him how I feel. I think he’s considering the same thing. I cup his face as his right hand slides from my left shoulder up to my throat. He doesn’t squeeze, but the pressure is heavy.
“You belong to me, Flora. Nothing will ever change that. I promise I will spend my life taking care of you and the family we might have one day.”
“You belong to me, Pablo. There’s nothing I won’t do for you and for our family. We’re the same, and that’s why we fit together perfectly.”
We stare at each other for a moment before the words flow from both of our mouths.
“Te amo, chiquita.”
“Te amo, Papí.”
Two words with a wealth of meaning. Two priceless words. Two words I want to hear and say every day for the rest of our lives.
Our kiss is languid as we revel in our shared declaration.
Neither of us is in a hurry, drinking in the emotions that demonstrate the words.
His body presses against me as his hand tightens slightly around my throat.
The fingertips of his other hand brush against my temple as I wrap my arms around his neck.
He presses his thigh between mine. I’m slow to rock against it, but it isn’t long before the friction makes me restless for more.
The backs of his fingers trail down my cheek and jaw, over his fingers around my throat, then down my chest until he can cup my breast. I moan as he massages. I arch my back into his hand and ride his thigh as he kisses behind my ear.
“I love you, chica.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I’m going to spend the night inside you.”
“Fuck me and make love to me, please.”
“You don’t even have to ask, little one. I’ll fuck you until you’re sore, then I’ll soothe it as I make love to you.”
“I want to remember every moment of it tomorrow with every step, every time I stand and sit. I want to ache for you to do it all over again.”
“I want to see my marks on you. I want to know I’m the only man who touches you. The only man you touch.”
“Pablo.”
He hesitates when I use his name. I offer him a reassuring smile.
“If other people heard the way we talk to each other, they probably wouldn’t understand why I agree to most of it.
Never once has your possessiveness made me fear I’ll lose my independence or that you don’t see me as an equal, even when we considered a true D/s relationship.
Just the opposite. Your possessiveness makes me feel like I can do anything.
That nothing can stop me because you’ll always make sure I’m protected enough to do it.
It’s not a false sense of safety. I understand the dangers we face now and will in the future.
But I want you to know how much I appreciate how empowered you make me feel. How desirable.”
“I never want you to feel like a possession even when I’m at my most possessive.
If you ever do, please tell me. I’m protective by nature and nurture.
There will be times when I can’t explain to you why I seem over the top.
Please trust I will tell you what I can when I decide the time is right.
I wish I could always tell you everything, but I never will.
Just because I wish I could confide in you doesn’t mean I want you to know what I do. ”
“I understand that.”
“I will never lie about how I feel about you. I admit there will be times when I manipulate you for your safety, my family’s, the people who depend on my family, and me. It won’t be for my personal gain.”
“I get that, but thank you for being honest about it. Daddy, take me to bed.”
“Little one, the things I’m about to do to you. I have plans.”