It was fading and peeling around the single window and the front door; signs of recent neglect.
From what Marisol had told me about her father’s unrelenting work ethic and her mother’s obsessive cleaning regimen, the slight disrepair indicated that the house had withered without her presence.
I looked over at her, but her wide-eyed stare was fixed on the house.
“Are you ready, corderita?” I asked gently, careful not to impose any directive. I’d give her all the time she needed to prepare herself, even if we had to sit out here all day.
Before she could respond, the lace curtain that covered the single window twitched aside, and a familiar face peeked out at us. Gabriela was Marisol in miniature, and I imagined her sister was nearly an exact copy of how she’d looked at the age of sixteen.
Something between a whimper and a moan of longing sounded in the back of Marisol’s throat, and she suddenly jumped out of the car. She reached the house in three bounding strides, but before she could knock on the front door, it flew open. Gabriela’s slight body barreled into hers, the two sisters colliding in a tangle of grasping arms.
“Marisol!” Gabriela sobbed her name over and over again, clinging to her as though she might disappear if she loosened her grip.
“I’m home, I’m home…” Marisol’s litany was a reassurance to her sister and to herself, a desperate promise that this was real.
They remained locked in their fierce hug for a long time, crying in pain and joy until their limbs were shaking and their voices went hoarse.
I lingered by the SUV, feeling like an intruder. My muscles tensed with the impulse to leave and give them privacy, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from the scene. The deep bond the sisters shared was unlike anything I’d ever seen; unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Witnessing their reunion made my heart pulse hard enough to bruise against my ribcage. I wanted to walk away and separate myself from the strange anguish, but I was transfixed by the shocking display of unconditional love.
Finally, Gabriela drew back just far enough to look into Marisol’s puffy, red-rimmed eyes.
“I can’t believe you’re here. I was so worried. I thought you might be…” A fresh sob hitched in her throat. “Why did you leave us, Marisol?”
The strain in her tone conveyed the harsher words she left unspoken: How could you leave us?
Marisol’s arms tightened around her sister’s shoulders, as though terrified that she might pull away. “It was the only way I could protect you. Gehovany would’ve come back for me. He would’ve done anything to get to me. After what he did to Mamá…” A shudder wracked her chest, and her delicate features twisted with raw grief. “I couldn’t let that happen to you. None of you will be hurt because of me. Never again.”
“But you’re back now?” Gabriela’s tone lilted with hope. “You won’t leave again? We will do anything to protect you, Marisol. We’ll do anything to keep you at home, where you belong.”
My jaw ticked with a flare of savage possessiveness.
My house was Marisol’s home now. Her family couldn’t keep her here. They couldn’t take her from me.
I forced down a calming breath and rolled my shoulders, trying to throw off the flash of jealous rage. Marisol didn’t need another dangerous man in her life who would try to forcibly take her from her loved ones.
She loves me, I reminded myself. She’s chosen me.
But the tension didn’t fully ease from my body until her chocolate eyes returned to mine. Her rosebud lips spread in a watery smile, and she held out her hand, inviting me to join them.
“Gabriela, this is Raúl. He’s made it possible for me to come back to you.” Her beautiful face radiated her pride and love for me. “He’s made everything possible.”
I glanced at Gabriela as I carefully took Marisol’s hand in mine, fearing that her sister might cringe away from me on instinct.
Shock tore through me when she grabbed my free hand with what I was sure was her full strength. “Thank you.”
I couldn’t do more than blink down at her in stunned silence. This slip of a girl didn’t know anything about me. Most men—merciless killers—avoided making eye contact with me, fearing my vicious focus.
But Gabriela stared up at me with wide, almost worshipful eyes; like I was some kind of fucking hero.
My heart swelled in my chest, and I grew taller in the glow of her grateful gaze.
“Let’s go inside,