Page 129 of Cartel King

A wall goes up around all three, and I don’t know why.

Pablo gets what I don’t. “But if you ever wanted a stepdad, I know my uncle would never say no. He was the fun one when I was a kid. When I was upset with my parents or my younger brother, I would turn to him. He’s not a father, but he’d be a great dad.”

Oh.

“I have five nephews, so I’ve never felt like I missed out on having children. But there’s something nice about knowing you’ll be my stepsons.”

It takes a little longer for the wall to crumble around Hunt and Will than it does for Steve. But eventually, they smile again.

“What should we call you?”

“Enrique, if you want.”

“Have you already proposed?”

“No. But we’ve been talking about marriage for the past few weeks.”

“When is Mom bringing over the last of her stuff?” Hunt acts casual, taking a bite of his steak when he finishes speaking.

“In the next few days. Do you object to us living together before we’re married?”

“Hardly. But we’ll be sure to call or text before coming over.” Will grimaces, and I don’t love recalling what he would’ve witnessed if he arrived five minutes earlier.

“Does Dad know?” Steve’s question has no undertones to it, so I think he’s merely curious.

“Not unless someone else told him. We haven’t announced it because I wanted to ask you before officially proposing. Should I be worried when he finds out?”

“No. It’ll shock him. He knows she’s with you, but I don’t think he’s prepared for her to remarry. Not because he wishes her unwell or because he thinks she shouldn’t. She just swore up and down she never would.”

“Believe me, I know how resistant she was.”

Will looks at his brothers before turning his attention back to me. “Take care of her. She’s spent nearly three decades taking care of everyone else. She’s had no one do that for her since she lived with our grandparents, and that’s not the same. Be someone she can rely on, even when she swears she doesn’t need anyone. Even when she tells herself she needs no one.”

It’s clear her sons know her. I’m glad they want the best for her, that they appreciate her. Steve shifts in his seat. I can tell whatever he’s about to say, he wishes he didn’t have to.

“Will your father object?”

I look at each young man, and Steve answers.

“No, but he’ll have something to say.”

“To you or to Ellie? Is his objection because she’ll marry into a Cartel family? Or will he object because he doesn’t want her to move on?”

“He doesn’t want her back. That’s not what it’s about. She swore she would never be in a relationship again and that her need for independence drove her to leave. She even told him he should remarry because he hadn’t run a household before. She took care of everything for everyone. Grocery shopping, clothes shopping, cooking, bill paying, doctors’ appointments, all school events. She deserves to be an equal partner, and it’s clear she’s found that with you. It’ll force him to see some of his shortcomings, and that’s never pleasant.”

“As long as he doesn’t upset her, then he’s free to think what he wants. But if he contacts her and upsets her like last time, I will suggest she have no more contact with him unless it’s about you.”

“Suggest?” Hunt’s eyes narrow.

“Yes, suggest. I don’t dictate to your mother. Your father is her ex-husband, not mine. I won’t decide for her who she will or won’t speak to, but I will support her if she doesn’t want to deal with him anymore.”

The brothers stare at me for a moment before they nod. Will holds up his water glass, and the rest of us raise ours.

“Welcome to our family, Enrique. Treat our mom right, and we’ll be one big happy family. Make her unhappy, and there will be no remains for anyone to find.”

I suppose that’s as good a toast as I can expect. I clink glasses with the three young men, and they all grin.

“Seriously, though, we’re glad Mom is with you, Enrique.” Steve extends his hand, and I shake it across the table before I do the same with Will and Hunt.

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