Page 42 of Misery In Me

“I’m not stupid.” I whisper, feeling the tears fall.

“Especialmente un militar. Él te usará y te dejará a un lado. O cuando esté peleando en otro país, encontrará una manera de satisfacer sus necesidades sin siquiera pensar en ti.”

“He would never.”

I hear the door creak open and when I look over, Gage’s eyes meet mine, a concern that quickly shifts to anger. He crosses the room, grabbing the phone from me. “No sé quién eres, pero si vuelves a hacer llorar a mi mujer, vamos a tener un problema.”

Did this man just threaten my Tia? In Spanish?

“Alejandra,¿vas a dejar que este gringo le hable así a tu tía?”

“While my Spanish may not be the best, I’m putting in the effort to learn for Ale. If you’re her aunt, then you would be a person I would think would try to keep her happy. I shouldn’t have to come up and find her crying on our bed.Ahora, ¿cuál es el problema?”

He’s working on his Spanish for me? Why does that make my heart feel so full?

“She has an obligation to care for her siblings until they leave my home. Her brother is on his way out but her sister will still be in my care for three years. How is she to provide for her if she isn’t working? Unless you’re going to pay her to warm your bed.” She insulted me to the man that helps pay for my siblings' well-being.

“Tia! ¡Basta!”I reach for the phone in his hand and he holds up his finger to me.

I can't believe this is happening right now.

“Maybe we’ll come get her and she can live with us. Solves the problem for you. We’ll call you back. Right now, I’m going to make sure your niece is fed and cared for.”

And he hangs up on her.

“Gage,” I let out a breath and reached for my phone. “She’s just upset.”

“Does she always talk to you like that?” I can feel how upset he is, the muscles in his forearms flex as he clenches his fist at his thigh. “Like you're only good for money.”

“No sé.” That’s a lie. She’s always treated me according to how much money I give her for my siblings.

“If we’re going to make this work, we need to be honest with each other. Even with shit like this. I’ll never lie to you and I want you to promise me the same. I don’t care how much you want to protect me from something or if you don’t want me to stress. I’m a big boy and can handle whatever you throw at me. If I need to fly my ass down to Mexico to get your sister, I will. For you. I’ll do it for you, Alejandra.”

“I’ll figure it out. My family problems are not your responsibility, Gage.” I pull the blanket back and start to get up.

“Tus problemas son mis problemas. Porque soy tuyo y tú mía, Alejandra.What am I gonna have to do to make sure that sticks? You’re not doing it alone anymore. Do I need to drag you to the courthouse and marry you today?” He moves in front of me and boxes my legs between his thighs, his hand applying gentle pressure to the middle of my chest to push me back. “Do I need to make you my wife for you to listen to me?”

“No, sir.” I moan into his mouth.

His lips come down on mine in a searing kiss while his hands roam up my exposed thighs, making me forget my train of thoughts. “If you keep up this ‘Sir’ business, I’ll show how much of a Sir I can be.”

“Is that a promise?” I sass back, and he pulls back, eyeing me.

“Watch it, pretty girl.” He wraps his hand around my throat, giving it a gentle but firm squeeze while his thumb drags my lower lip down. “I’ve got a few more days until my appointment, and I’ve got lots of 550 cord in my storage room. I could keep your perfect little ass tied up and just breed you over and over again.”

I grab ahold of his wrist and stare into his eyes, knowing this feeling between us is going to make for a very interesting night. But we need to eat, and Zoe needs attention, among other household things. “Pause.”

“What’s wrong?” He immediately drops his hand. “Did I cross a line?”

“No… nothing like that. We need to eat, Gage. Zoe needs us.”

“She’s asleep in her swing. I fed her while you were up here. Lunch is probably cold now but I can reheat it.” He pulls himself up and offers me his hand, helping me up. I grab my sweats from the floor and pull them up.

“Mmm, I don’t know about those.” He grumbles, grabbing my hand and leading me toward the door.

“I can’t be pant-less all the time.” I roll my eyes, and his hand connects with my ass cheek as I step on the first stair.

“I beg to differ.”

---