Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
ASHER
T hese fuckers, really? It’s bad enough that we run into them during investigations, but here at Paloma’s? Fuck that.
“Put those things away, mis hijos !”
Paloma has a rule: No weapons at dinner. But I’m always packing when I leave the house.
One time, I was approached on the street outside of work hours by the spouse of someone I had arrested the day before. She brought a gun and was waving it around. She just wanted her wife to come home, but that’s not going to happen for at least five more years—I collared the right suspect.
But I understand desperation. When you have a father like the one I did, desperation becomes your companion.
Paloma swatting at my arm brings me back to the present, and I reluctantly put my gun away in the holster at the back of my pants. Zane does the same, and Rio slips his knife in its sheath.
Gabriel, Mateo, and Diego approach like we’re not a threat to them.
Fucking idiots.
Paloma kisses each of them on the cheek in greeting. Elena folds her arms across her chest and heads back inside—no doubt going to get more place settings for the extra guests. Mariela doesn’t look up from her phone, and Solana is still glued to her book.
Apparently, vampires and werewolves are more captivating than a possible gunfight in her backyard.
Carmen is standing next to Rio with her fists balled at her sides. If looks could kill, those three gangbangers would be dead ten times over right now. She looks even more pissed than Zane, Rio, and I combined.
“I told you not to come,” she hisses.
Gabriel cocks his head to the side. “Is that what you said when you left my house this morning?”
“When you what!?” Rio shouts.
“Don’t make this into something it’s not, and not in front of the family,” Carmen grits out.
Diego looks on and keeps his facial features blank. Mateo looks a little too invested in the exchange between Carmen and Gabriel.
When Diego’s eyes finally connect with Carmen’s, there’s a longing there that can’t be hidden. Then I notice the heat in Mateo’s gaze and the way Gabriel is unabashedly undressing Carmen with his eyes.
Shit. This is not going to go well.
Rio comes to the same conclusion a second after I do, and he launches himself at all three men.
“You hijos de putas ! That’s my fucking sister!”
Paloma throws her hands up in exasperation. “ Ay dios mío .”
Rio is taking on all three guys like a pro, and Zane rushes in to help, fists swinging. Zane has always been someone who likes things to be fair.
There’s a touch on my arm and when I glance down I see Spencer peeking around my large frame. She clutches me in a strangling grip and pulls me closer.
Yes, Baby. Need me.
“They won’t touch you, Princess.”
“I know.” Her whispered words are a punch to the gut—the truth behind them, pure. I can’t give into the temptation, but the way I want Spencer should be illegal.
“As you should,” I reply with a smirk. I shouldn’t flirt, but I need the fear in her eyes to disappear.
She sighs and shakes her head at me, causing her beautiful, flowy hair to sway. What I wouldn’t give to run my fingers through her hair as she shouts my name, again.
“What the fuck is going on here!” Elena is standing on the doorstep with plates, cups, and utensils stacked in her arms.
“Language, mija !”
The fighting pauses as each man turns towards Elena. “This isn’t a bar brawl! Get yourselves together. God! Actúan como ninos, ” Elena chastises. You’re acting like children.
“But—” Rio stammers.
“Nuh uh. No quiero escucharlos ”— I don’t want to hear it —“I don’t care what they did—suck it up for the next few hours. You’re stressing out Mom. You know her heart can’t handle another trip to the hospital.”
Elena’s reminder of Paloma’s heart attack makes everyone wince.
Paloma claps her hands together. “New rule: No fists at dinner. Next person to pull a gun or take a swing has to clean up dinner.”
Zane huffs and crosses his arms; Gabriel, Mateo, and Diego shrug in agreement. Not that they could battle it out against Paloma anyway.
Paloma takes charge again, ordering everyone to their seats. I tug Spencer back down into the chair next to me when she tries to step away and take a different seat.
Not happening, Princess.
She gave me her trust. I may not allow myself to touch her the way I’m desperate to, but I’ll keep her safe no matter what it takes.
She shoots a glare laced with confusion my way while my face remains empty. She can’t know she’s my every thought, my every desire. Because she can’t be those things to me.
This woman has the ability to ruin what we’ve built. Rachel almost did it once, but Spencer has the power to break us irrevocably.