Page 6 of His to Love
“And that man will love and cherish her the way she deserves,” he continued. “He will not even contemplate sex before marriage. He will do everything right with her. We’ve brought her up to believe in that.” Nodding again, he looked like he’d talked himself into something. “Perhaps shewillthwart this imbecile on her own. She’s been taught well and has done as she was told all this time. Maybe I won’t have to kill this little pest after all.”
“I think you should refrain from saying anything about killing anyone.” I looked at a table not too far from ours where a uniformed policeman sat with what looked to be his girlfriend. “We don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.”
He followed the direction of my eyes and saw what I did. “Oh, I didn’t see him there. Maybe I should calm down a bit.”
“I think so. And I think Alexa is a smart young woman. I don’t think she’ll want to become a notch on any man’s bedpost—and I don’t think she’d appreciate your attitude about this.” I didn’t look at his sister the way he and his parents did. I saw her for who she really was. “Since Alexa has come to work for us at the resort, I’ve watched how she interacts with the staff and with our clients. She’s every bit the professional, yet she’s personable. Everyone likes her, and they respect her as well. She’s really coming into her own.”
“That’s good to know.” A broad smile and a look of pride told me that he meant it. “Everyone has always loved her. She’s an angel. But that fool Alejandro Soliz doesn’t seem to see her in the right light.” The smile faded into a frown as he pulled his glass to his lips. “If his parents hadn’t been there, I would’ve jumped across that dining table and yanked him up by the collar. I wouldn’t mind kicking his ass until he promised me he’d never look at my princesa like that ever again for the rest of his life.”
There he goes again, going overboard.
“I tell you what—I’ll talk to Alexa and ask if she’s feeling uncomfortable about staying there if he’s going to be home. I can find her somewhere else to stay until he’s gone if that’s the case. Hell, she can stay with me if she wants to. I’m still in the two-bedroom apartment right now, but the home I’m building is nearly done.” I wanted him to know that I was watching her.
Putting his hand on my shoulder, he patted it. “You are an incredibly good friend. I’m glad you’re looking out for her. My parents and I thank you very much for all you’re doing.”
“She’s great at her job, Luci. It’s a pleasure to have her onboard. You don’t have to worry about her.” And I didn’t think anything was going on between her and the deacon’s son either.
“I will never stop worrying about her. I’ve worried since the day she was born.” His eyes clouded over as he sighed. “You know there’s a reason we call her a miracle. Mamma only told me some of it, but she had no idea she was pregnant until she gained a lot of weight. She was many months along when she went to the doctor and he confirmed it. But she’d never stopped having her period, so she was confused. When she went into labor, Alexa’s heart stopped beating and they had to do an emergency c-section. I know there are far worse stories out there, but that was the worst my mother had ever dealt with.”
I had always figured there must be a story there, but that didn’t mean they had to safeguard her forever. “Well, she might’ve had a hard start to life but she’s strong now—and smart. She’s got her head on straight, too. I do believe it’s time to let her do her own thing and stop trying to protect her from the world and every horny guy out there.”
“I don’t know how to stop,” he admitted.
