Page 131 of Before Dawn

I let her eat as we drove in silence, but I felt her eyes on me as we came to a stop.

“You’re tense,” she said after a while, her voice gentle.

“Just a tiring day,” I muttered, trying to hold back the frustration.

“Mikkel.” Her fingers brushed my jaw before cupping my cheek. I leaned into her touch instinctively. “You’ve been like this for a while.”

“I’m fine,” I said, my voice quieter. “Just a bit off today.”

She sighed but didn’t push. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Maybe later.”

She studied me before pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “I’ll hold you to it.”

I chased her lips again, but she pulled away with a small smile, grabbing her bag. “Pick me up at the salon later. My nails need a refill, and I’m getting bohemian knotless braids.”

My lips twitched. “How much?”

“It’s fine.”

I pulled out a thousand in cash, tucked it into her purse, and kissed her palm before she could argue. “It’s not a discussion,mi amor59. I like knowing you’re taken care of.”

She shook her head but smiled, brushing her lips over mine. “I know you do. Thank you.”

“Always,” I whispered. “Can’t wait to see you later.”

She stepped out of the car, flashing one last smile before disappearing into the bookstore. As I watched her go, a tight knot formed in my chest. I needed to clear my head. Without thinking, I drove straight to Lucio’s house; he was the one person I could talk to.

A few minutes later, I pulled into his driveway. Sugar, his fluffy gray kitten, greeted me with a soft meow, brushing against my legs. I scratched behind her ears, then followed Lucio into the sitting room. Tall, lean, and with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see everything, he studied me silently as if he already knew why I was here.

“Drink?” Lucioasked, his deep voice warm.

I shook my head. “I’m good.”

He nodded and gestured for me to take a seat. We both sank into the adjacent arm chairs and I noticed his wife wasn’t here.

“So, where’s Marina?” I asked, trying to break the silence.

“She’s on a trip in Italy.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised you’re not with her.”

He laughed, taking a sip of his drink. “My jet’s flying me out there tomorrow. I get physically ill being away from my wife.”

I chuckled, but it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “I know the feeling.”

Lucio looked at me and the smile slowly faded from his face. “You look like you’re about to explode,hermano,60” he said, leaning back into the cushions.

I exhaled, rubbing my hand over my face. “I feel my grip on my anger slipping.”

Lucio chuckled softly. “Well, God had to give you the anger as a flaw or you’d be way too perfect, Suarez.”

I let out a short laugh, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. “Vete a la mierda.61” I paused, taking a deep breath. “Speaking of perfection, the constant need for it is just as overwhelming as it is frustrating.”

Lucio raised an eyebrow, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. “Who’s holding you to that need?”

I leaned back, folding my arms. “I’m holding myself to it. It’s just who I am.”

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