and I’ll explain everything,” Marisol urged.
A delighted laugh burst from Gabriela’s lips. “Oh, Papá and Mario are going to be so thrilled when they get home! Papá took him to the shop with him today, saying it’s never too early to instill a strong work ethic. They should be back in an hour or so. We can talk in the garden until they arrive.”
She practically skipped into the house, dragging her big sister along with a crushing grip on her hand.
Marisol shot an apologetic smile at me over her shoulder and waved for me to follow.
Of course, we’d already agreed that we wouldn’t explain everything to her family. She didn’t want them to know the horrors she’d endured on her agonizing journey, and neither of us wanted them to know about my involvement in the cartel.
We’d decided to keep things as vague as possible. We would truthfully say that she hadn’t been able to cross the US border, and we would divulge that I’d saved her during the thief’s attack in Juárez. After that, the glossed-over version of our relationship would share the fact that I took her to my home outside Mexico City and gave her a safe place to live.
I was particularly keen to inform them that we’d fallen in love, and now, Marisol was staying with me forever.
In my home. In my bed.
All mine.
I shook off the possessive thoughts before my worst impulses could overwhelm me. More than anything, I wanted my little lamb to be blissfully happy, and reuniting her with her family was the most valuable gift I could ever give her.
When we stepped over the threshold, the small living room immediately felt too cramped with the three of us taking up space. I edged into the narrow, galley kitchen to give the sisters some breathing room.
As soon as I stepped away from Marisol, her joyous laughter died, and ominous silence settled over the room like a dense fog.
Her glow dimmed, and her beautiful face twisted in agony. I noted the direction of her gaze: a garish, multicolored rug that covered the hardwood floor. Her eyes were wide with horror, staring at something that I couldn’t see.
Gabriela stared at the spot, too, and she hugged her arms tight around her middle.
Immediately, I understood. This was where their mother had died. Where Gehovany had murdered her.
I was at Marisol’s side in an instant, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her tight to my chest. She buried her face in my shirt, muffling a soft sob. Her shoulders shook violently, and I felt each of her gasping breaths like a punch to my gut.
I jolted when another pair of slender arms closed around her from behind, but they didn’t attempt to pull her away from me.
Gabriela’s small hands extended far enough for her fingertips to brush my shoulders, including me in her embrace.
My heart stuttered, and something burned behind my eyes. I blinked rapidly to clear it away, but I made no move to extricate myself from the hug. With the added comfort from her little sister, Marisol’s breaths had slowed to a more regular rhythm, and her shaking receded to an intermittent tremor.
“I’m glad you’re here with me, Raúl,” she said thickly. “I…I needed this. I didn’t know how much I needed it until just now. Thank you.”
She turned slowly, gently breaking up the hug, so she could face her sister. “And thank you, Gabriela. Thank you for forgiving me. For welcoming me home after…” Her throat tightened too much for her to speak.
Gabriela swiped a shaky hand over her eyes, clearing away her tears. “You will always be welcome here. We want you at home with us. I love you.” A watery laugh bubbled from her chest, a resurgence of her earlier joy. “I still can’t believe you’re here. I’m so happy I could burst.” Her dark eyes flicked to me. “And I’m happy you’re here, Raúl. You brought my sister back to me.”
She turned a grin on Marisol and linked their arms. “Come on,” she urged, tugging Marisol toward the kitchen. “Let’s all sit down, and you can tell me everything that’s happened.”
I turned to watch them wedge themselves into the tiny kitchen, but I didn’t follow; there wasn’t space for me. As they bustled around—gathering drinks and snacks as though this was just another day in their normal routine—I took a few minutes to study my surroundings.
Marisol had told me her home was small but full of love. The house completely lived