Ruthless Savior

Raúl gave him a tight nod, but he remained rooted to the spot, forcibly keeping his most dangerous impulses in check.

If I didn’t reach out to him quickly, he’d retreat further into himself. I might never be able to fully call him back to me.

“I need to talk to Raúl.” I kept my voice soft when I addressed my family, not wanting them to think I was separating myself from them again. I’d never abandon them, but I had to save Raúl, just as he’d saved me.

My father patted my hand, careful not to jar any of my injuries. “We’ll be outside, mija.”

Raúl stepped out of their way, allowing them to pass. Instead of moving into the bedroom, he retreated into the living room.

I extended my hand toward him, desperate to close the distance between us. When I tightened my abs in an attempt to sit up, a flare of sharp pain drew a cry from my lips. I dropped back, and even the pillow wasn’t soft enough to cushion the impact on my aching head.

My vision flickered from white to black. When everything came back into focus, Raúl’s blazing eyes filled my entire world. Seeing him so close, with the backdrop of my childhood bedroom behind him, I realized that his verdant green gaze was nearly a perfect match for the cheery paint that’d signaled the safety and comfort of my home for my entire life.

Tears stung the corners of my eyes, and Raúl mistook them for signs of distress.

His stony features solidified to an anguished, granite mask. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”

Careful to keep the rest of my body immobile, I lifted my hand to caress his rough-hewn cheek. “I knew you’d come for me.” I fixed him in a steady stare, willing him to understand that I hadn’t defied him because I didn’t trust him to protect me. “I risked myself to save my family, just like I know you would risk yourself to save me. I’m not as strong as you, but I’ll do anything to protect the people I love. That includes you, Raúl. I would’ve done the same for you, if your life had been in danger.”

He gnashed his teeth, vehemently rejecting my promise to endanger myself for him.

“You will never do something like that for me. Never.” The rebuke left his chest on a fierce growl, but his touch was achingly gentle when he covered my hand with his, desperate to maintain the tender contact I offered.

“If you’re in danger, there is absolutely nothing that can stop me from destroying anyone who threatens you,” he swore. “I can defend us both, because there’s no risk for me. No one will touch you ever again.” He said the last on a rough whisper, a ragged oath.

I rubbed the scar on his lip, which was drawn deep by his ferocious scowl. “There’s always a risk, even to you.” I spoke gently but firmly. “You work with dangerous people. You’ll put yourself in dangerous situations to defend what’s yours. Just like you did when you ran straight into Arturo’s ambush to punish him for hurting me. I believe you can handle yourself.” I made sure to placate his pride, but he needed to acknowledge the inherent risks of his lifestyle.

He needed to accept that I worried just as much for his safety as he did for mine.

“I will do anything to keep you safe and happy. That means I won’t throw myself headlong into danger, when I’m confident that you can handle it. I know you’ll always protect me. But just because I’m not strong like you doesn’t mean I won’t fight for you. I fought for my family, and I’d do the same for you in a heartbeat. I love you, and I won’t let anyone take you from me. I’m yours, and you’re mine.”

His reply was a low, deep hum, and he turned his face to press a kiss against my palm. The tension hadn’t fully eased from his granite features, but he’d been soothed by my promise that I belonged to him.

“I need to take you home.” His brow furrowed, and I smoothed away the worry with a brush of my fingertips. “I need you in my bed. Our bed.”

The rope around my heart tugged, tethering me to him more tightly than ever. “I want that, too, but I don’t want my family to feel like I’m abandoning them again. Everything is too fresh; too many nightmares were stirred up by what happened today. I can’t bear to cause them any more pain.”

“They’ll stay with us,” he said immediately. “For as long as you want, they can stay in our home.”

His firm response knocked the air from my chest, and my jaw dropped. “You’ll do that for me? You’ll have overnight guests?”

His expression turned fierce, unyielding. “I will do anything for you, Marisol. I will always do everything in my power to make you happy. And my power in considerable.”