She was a heaven-sent gift I’d never understand.
A natural-born screw-up, I’d done nothing to deserve someone that possessed a heart as big as hers. Yet there she was, on the verge of letting me claim it in a move that would be both binding and permanent.
But even if I was an undeserving asshole, Carmen, along with the wounded but mighty heart she possessed, were treasures I planned to accept without argument and ones I swore on everything I loved never to return.
Pulling in a deep breath, I released her chin and slid my calloused palm down her scarred forearm before entwining her delicate fingers with mine. “I want your help,” I whispered, chest tighter than a clam’s ass at high tide thanks to the confessions I’d made moments before.
“With what?”
“With telling Shelby the truth.”
Nibbling her bottom lip, Carmen shifted on her knees. “Goodness, Guapo.” Her gaze darted everywhere but my way. I didn’t like that. Not at all. I wanted her undivided attention and tantalizing eyes on me as much as possible. “Of all people, you want my help?”
I hated that she sounded both unsure and shocked, as if I wouldn’t want her with me for such a big moment. If it were up to me, her pretty little ass would never leave my side.
Hopefully, soon, she wouldn’t have to.
“Are you sure?”
“I am,” I replied without hesitation. “Me keeping you forever means that I want you next to me. Always.”
“Even for a moment like that?”
“Yeah,” I answered. “Especially considering that once you’re free, you and the girls will be a part of my life, which means you’re going to be a part of my kids’ lives too.” I squeezed her hand, hoping to reassure her. “And maybe, just maybe, my daughter won’t kill me once she learns the truth about who and what I am to her if there’s a witness nearby.”
Lips quirking in a heart-stopping smile, my pixie giggled. The small sound was more potent than any drink I’d ever taken, healing a piece of me each time I heard it. “I take it Shelby’s hotheaded, si?”
I smirked. “Just a bit.”
Who was I kidding? Shelby’s nuclear temper rivaled both mine and Hendrix’s, which was saying something. Hell, hers was probably worse than his and mine combined.
Chuckling once more, my gorgeous girl slid her free hand through my hair, pushing the black strands from my face. Then, as if reading my thoughts, she replied, “Wonder where she gets it from?”
My entire body stilled.
“Alright, smartass. Now you’re starting to sound even more and more like Hendrix and Tuck.” Tossing her head back, Carmen laughed harder than I’d ever heard her. “It’s not funny,” I continued, fighting to bite back my amusement. “Those two give me enough trouble. I don’t need you adding to the pile of grief they toss my way daily.”
Smiling ear to ear, she climbed to her feet, giving me the perfect view of the yellow sundress she wore. Loose-fitting, the soft-looking material brushed against her lean, bronzed thighs as she shifted her weight, bouncing from one foot to the other.
Seeing her in it was mesmerizing.
Not to mention addicting.
I could’ve stared at her all day.
“Alright, Mr. Cole,” she said, eyes once more darting around the dark, empty park as she tugged on my arm. “Let’s get out of here and away from any prying eyes that may be near.”
A scowl crossed my face as I stood, my sizeable frame towering over her petite one. The last thing I wanted to do was hide her—hide us—behind a closed door. Proud of everything she had quickly become to me, I wanted the entire world to see us together.
But that wasn’t possible.
At least, not yet.
Soon.
Body vibrating with mounting fury that I miraculously kept in check, I coiled a brawny arm around her lower back and pulled her closer as an idea—one I hoped I could pull off spur of the moment—sparked to life in my head. “Where are the girls at?”
It was a question I already had the answer to since she’d told me where they’d be two days before, but I needed her to confirm I hadn’t lost my mind—a very real possibility.
Carmen’s smile disappeared; a mixture of hurt and anger took its place. “As I told you the last time we were together—Chiquita is on an overnight date with one of the bastardo’s VIP clients.”
A single sentence was all it took for my veins to fill with toxic, all-consuming hate. Getting the girls away from the piece of shit pimp wouldn’t be enough. For what he’d done to each of them, he’d pay.
I’d make sure of that.
“She won’t be home until morning.”
“What about Little One?” I gritted out, the tendons in my neck cording as I clenched my jaw tight, nearly shattering my back teeth.
“With Faye.”
A minuscule amount of relief worked its way up my spine. Chiquita being gone wasn’t okay, not one bit, but at least it wasn’t both girls. “Does she need money to pay—”
“She has enough money to pay the bastardo. Faye too,” my pixie replied, knowing what I was trying to ask. “I made sure of that.”
I was about to ask her where she’d gotten it from, but before I could force the words out, she pressed a lone finger to my parched lips, silencing me in a move that she’d done more than once.
“I stole it,” she added, somehow knowing the exact question that sat on the tip of my tongue. “And yes, I know doing such a thing is wrong, but I would do a lot worse to keep either of mi chicas safe.”
At her words, memories rushed forward.
Dark ones.
Brows furrowed, I pulled her closer and held her tighter. “I hate the things you’ve been forced to do,” I said, body trembling. “But I understand why you’ve done them because I’ve done some pretty messed up things to protect my family too.”
An emotion I couldn’t read flitted across her face half a second before she spoke the words that sent me careening headfirst back to a place
