Page 128 of Arranged

“I do, huh? You’re sure about that?” Alejandro asked.

Gabriel truly looked him over, his gaze moving up and down. I could barely keep from engaging in a fit of giggles. Oh, that would go over well.

The exaggerated nod was one of affirmation and for Gabriel, meant everything in the world.

“Then I guess I’m good to go. Thanks, little man. I appreciate that.” Alejandro continued to surprise me. He leaned down, scooping my little boy into his arms.

“Careful,” I cautioned. “He does have sticky hands.”

“Well, if the people in my meeting don’t understand then fu?—”

My reaction was swift and I’d thrown up my finger to warn him about language before he’d gotten it out of his mouth.

“Then fudge them,” Alejandro continued.

Gabriel giggled for both of us.

“Go wash your hands, dear child. I don’t want your sticky handprints everywhere,” I instructed and Alejandro reluctantly let him down.

“O-tay, Mommy.”

Jessica walked closer, unsure about the man, standing in front of him with wide open eyes.

“What’s wrong, Jessica?” I asked, trying to prompt her into speaking. She did with Gabriel, but had yet to say much to the adults. The incident at her house had affected her more than I’d thought. She needed to be brought from her shell, but only her father could do that. This time, the wave of emotions contained sadness.

I hoped the two of them would eventually be close.

Alejandro crouched down and to my surprise, she threw her arms around his neck. He peered up at me, obviously just as surprised as I was.

There were no words and in truth, I wasn’t entirely certain either one of them was breathing. Almost as quickly as the sweet moment had ensued, it disappeared. Jessica ran off, following Gabriel into the living room where I’d already turned on a channel full of kid’s cartoons.

Alejandro’s expression was no less stoic than before, but there was a spark in his eyes.

“Being a father looks good on you,” I told him.

“Children are a true blessing.” He walked closer, the electric draw just as powerful, but as with every other emotion and sensation that morning, entirely different.

“Are you certain I shouldn’t come with you?”

I was being coy, but the way he cupped my face indicated he would remain in a serious mood. “Right or wrong depending on who you ask, you are my partner. However, this is something I must do alone.”

“I get the gist. I don’t like the power struggle, but I do understand. Perhaps as Don of one of the most powerful organizations in the world you can make swift changes.”

He laughed as he rubbed his thumb across my skin, creating too many tingles for the fact he was leaving in a few minutes. “I’ll add that to the top of my agenda.”

“Uh-huh. Just keep in mind that without powerful women, no man would be able to forge a path. A flashlight and a map just won’t do it.”

“How utterly profound.” The heat of his body as he inched closer was palpable. “I don’t think I need to remind you that things are still dangerous, but I will anyway. Several soldiers will remain surrounding the house. If you need anything, you must tell them, but don’t try and leave.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“I honestly can’t answer that other than to say as long as it takes. There’s already enough chatter on the streets to indicate a possible coup.”

“A coup. You sound like an ex-military man.”

“I sound like a man prepared to defend what belongs to him,” Alejandro corrected. “Do me a favor and just stay inside.”

I hated shivering, but felt his apprehension feeding every blood cell. “As I told you before. Don’t die on me.”

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