Chapter Fifty-Eight #2
And hopefully this surprise for mi pajarito will give us both a bit of Alabaster here in Las Vegas.
I’m about to call for him when my phone rings.
“Yari? What’s up, I’m busy?”
“I have Zayn Mansur for you,” Yari says cautiously, and I freeze.
Touché, Governor.
My gaze narrows. “Sure. Put him through.”
The phone clicks, and I croon, “Mr. Governor. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Manuel Blanco…” Mansur’s mellow brogue rumbles in my ear. “I was upset we didn’t get to chat the other night. You seemed to have your hands full.”
My jaw tics. Clearly, he’s referring to the fact that everyone I was with at the theater was half my age, my own partner included. Like he doesn’t associate with twenty-year-olds…
“Never a dull moment.” I roll my eyes. “You know, I meant to call and congratulate you on your win, but I’ve been just swamped.”
“Yes, well, that’s what I wanted to talk about,” he gets right down to business. “I’m sure you’re aware that the board has been dissolved…”
“What board?” I smirk.
“Cut the shit, Blanco,” he grumbles, and I chuckle. “We’re both too smart to play games.”
“I disagree greatly with that. What about, like, Trivial Pursuit?”
He’s silent for a moment, and I press my lips together to keep from laughing.
“This is a courtesy call,” he goes on, ignoring my wisecracking, “to tell you that I’m watching that island very closely. And I’m watching you even closer.”
“Tax dollars hard at work,” I sigh. “You know I donated to your campaign? Under my assistant’s name. He’s a big fan.”
“I’ll cut you a check right now,” he hisses, though his tone remains professional.
I chuckle some more. “I’m not sure what you think is happening, but I no longer live in New York, nor am I affiliated in any way with that island.”
“Right. Well, be that as it may, I promise you that if anything happens on that island from this point forward… If someone so much as stubs their toe, I’ll be coming for you.”
“That hardly seems necessary, but I appreciate the hyperbole, Governor Mansur.”
“Don’t underestimate me, Ivory,” he murmurs.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Thank you for the call. I look forward to seeing what sorts of good you do in the wake of someone so bad.”
Disconnecting the call, I toss my phone onto the nearest piece of furniture and sigh, taking a moment to rub my eyes.
Yet another one of these new sheriffs in town, riding in to clean up the streets. I’ve been through many of them, and I’ll be through many more.
I happen to agree with much of what Mansur is doing. That said, he has a bug up his ass about Russo and I don’t blame him. If I have to stay away from New York for a bit, so be it.
Regardless, I know that the Isle won’t be a problem. The new king has her under control.
Brushing it off, I return to my giddy mood from before that call.
I have more important matters to attend to.
“Angelito!” I call out for him. “Will you come down here, please?”
“Hang on!” He shouts from upstairs.
Poor thing. I’ve given him only a few minutes to unpack and decompress from the flight before I’m springing this on him…
I’m seriously hopping, I’m so excited.
Moments later, Angel trots down the stairs, visibly curious. “Qué pasa?”
Taking his hand, I pull him toward the back door. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Ooh, I like the sound of that,” he croons.
Shaking my head at his perpetual lusting, I bring him outside, across the veranda and over to our giant swimming pool area.
Surrounded by rocks and plants, even a waterfall and a hidden cave that contains the hot tub, the space is fantastic.
We put a lot of work into making it the perfect space for us.
It’s like a West Coast version of the Ivory mansion’s indoor garden.
And now I’ve added some more decor…
Pulling Angel around the corner, I pause in front of the giant birdcage.
“Tada!” I beam.
Angel is immediately speechless. Perfecto. That’s exactly the reaction I was hoping for.
“Oh… my God,” he gasps, wide green eyes sparkling in amazement.
“Your very own birdcage, pajarito. Just like in the mansion,” I tell him. “Okay, a little different. But see, it has furniture inside, a fire pit over here, all of your pants and vines… And, the best part… The aviary!”
Angel gasps. “Holy fuck… Diablo, it’s incredible!”
He strides inside, spinning and twirling, admiring the beautiful setup and the great detail. Until he notices something. About the birds.
“The sparrows,” he whispers. “You got sparrows!”
“Not just any old sparrows, baby,” I murmur. “Your sparrows. From the mansion. I had them brought over.”
He’s frozen for a solid five seconds, just gaping at me. And then he leaps into my arms, wrapping his legs around his waist.
“Baby… thank you.” He decorates my neck with kisses. “This is the best surprise ever… And you thought you’d be bad at relationships.” He pins me with a coy look.
“Am I killing it?” I beam.
He laughs. “Diablo, you’re decapitating it.”
“Oh, well, pajarito…” I chuckle, carrying him over to the fancy daybed. “That I certainly can do.”
He’s giggling as I lay him down on the bed, kissing his lips softly.
Then I dart away, closing the door to the cage, locking him inside.
Angel sits up slowly, grinning at first, until I hum, “Sorry, pajarito. But I had to get you back in your cage.”
His face melts into confusion. “Wait… what??” He jumps up, dashing to the bars. He yanks on them, glaring at me. “You’re not serious…”
I bite my lip. Of course I’m not.
I’d love to keep this going a little longer, because he is truly stunning when he’s angry… But I’m too impatient.
“I might have left a spare key in there somewhere.” I cock my head. “But you have to find it.”
“Diablo, I am not playing right now,” he growls. “I’m going to kick your ass.”
I shrug. “You have to get out first.”
“Ugh!” He stomps around, stubbornly whipping things everywhere in search of the key that’s literally hanging in front of his face. From a birdcage lamp.
When he stops pouting long enough to pay attention, he spots it, snatching it off the lamp.
“Ha!” He stalks to the door.
It takes him sticking the key into the lock to finally notice the black diamond ring tied to it with a ribbon, and I’m dying.
“Surprise,” I whisper.
Angel’s bottom lip is instantly trembling. His eyes lift to mine, round and glassy.
“Diablo…”
“Angel Alvarez,” I hum to him between the bars, “You were a gift that, on some level, I always knew was meant to be mine, whether I deserve you or not. You uprooted my entire life and I’m not even mad about it.
” He lets out a tearful laugh. “I know I’m still el diablo and that will never change, but this evil man has been tamed by you, little bird.
You have captured my heart Angelito, and only you hold the key.
It would be my greatest honor to be yours forever… if you’ll have me.”
He’s already nodding, eyes glistening while I shiver a question for my soulmate. “Will you marry me, baby?”
“Yes,” he breathes. “Yes, Manuel, I will. I’m desperate to marry you, Diablo.”
My heart is shattering as I grab the bars in my fists, “Dammit! Get out here so I can kiss you!”
He snorts, whimpering as he sticks the key into the lock with shaky hands, opens the door and dives on me.
I hold him with all my might and kiss away his tears of joy.
My little bird, my Angel… My gift that I will cherish until the stars fall and the universe melts away.
I don’t deserve him, but I stole him, and now he’s mine.
He is my empire. His love, my kingdom come.