The Veiled Cage (Lady Lawyer Series Romantic Suspense Novels Book 1) (36 page)

He reached out and took her hand
.“
You do
n’
t have to
.
”

“
No, I want you to know
.”
She gazed at her bright orange wall and saw her past
.“
He was a rule breaker. That he seemed slightly dangerous was part of his appeal. I know, i
t’
s clic
hé
. Good girl attracted to a bad boy. But there it is
.”
She braced herself against the headboard for the next part
.“
It was a small school. He knew about my crush
.”
She clasped a pillow to her chest
.“
On a Saturday in June, he came for me. My parents were hit or miss on the alarm. They missed. And he was
n’
t alone. He brought in a buddy. Three others waited in his car. They had me restrained and drugged before I was fully awake. It was
n’
t long before the drug took hold and I was out again. They took me into the woods a few miles from my house. I came to while they were raping me. I could
n’
t do anything to stop them
.”
She shut her eyes against the stabbing pain of remembering.

Emilio eased her from the headboard and held her close
.“
Yo
u’
re safe. I have you
.
”

“
After that night, I heard them in every sound.
I’
d jump out of bed screaming. Amy helped me figure out how to take my power back. I vowed to never be helpless again. Instead of vulnerable, my body became a weapon. I could fight back. No longer exploited and violated, no longer a victi
m—
I became strong. I trusted my body again
.”
She pulled back and searched his face
.“
I can only imagine what you must be thinking
.
”

“
Some of us are born or thrust into unimaginable situations. It takes immeasurable strength and courage to rise above them. And more to help others through theirs as you do for your clients. I could
n’
t admire you more
.
”

“
I, I did
n’
t expect that
.”
Spent by the telling, she relaxed into the warm acceptance of his embrace.

He eased her onto her side and kept his arm around he
r—
tight.

Soon, she slipped into a dreamless sleep.

✧

Upon waking, Ruby stretched and wondered when sh
e’
d last had this feeling. Rested. Smiling, she replayed the night before, and frowned as she reached the end.
I blubbered in his arms like a fool
, she thought. She looked at his side of the bed, empty, with disappointment.
I
’
m not surprised.
I’
d run from my past too if I could. Hell,
I’
ve tried.
She grabbed a pillow and covered her face.

“
Ah, sh
e’
s moved
.
”

She yanked the pillow away and found herself beaming at the sight of him.
I’
m hopeless
, she thought. She went for casual
.“
Yo
u’
re still here
.
”

“
I am. How do you feel about it
?”
He asked.

Responding to the uncertainty in his eyes, she said
,
“I’
m glad
,”
she admitted.

He smiled and swooped down for a lavish kiss.

“
And
I’
m hungry
.”
Hope bloomed in her eyes
.“
Could you rig me a FastFare for cinnamon rolls
?
”

“
Not even I could transform your paltry stock into sustenance. I have a better idea. Hurry and w
e’
ll make it
.
”

“
Bu
t
—”

“
Yes,
I’
m well aware we have dragons to slay. I
t’
s not yet time for it. And you wo
n’
t need it where w
e’
re going, though some consider it a castle
.”
His eyes danced.

“
Gabriella Center. Is your mom cooking
?
”

“
She says breakfast is her best meal
.
”

“
Is she right
?
”

“
I
t’
s comparing a sunset to a waterfall
.
”

“
I had to fall for a romantic
.”
She nudged him, humor lively in her eyes.

“
Did you
?”
He trailed his hand along her side.

Unable to say the words, she shrugged
.“
I
t’
s a figure of speech
.
”

He studied her
.“
Very well, Rubina. Lead the charge
.
”

She stopped in the doorway to the bathroom
.“I’
m not very good at this. The morning after. Yo
u’
re the first
I’
ve had here
.”
She raised her hands, grasping to convey these newly stirred sentiments.

He moved to her and took her hands
.“
I
t’
s new for me as well. W
e’
ll figure it out together
.
”

“
You know, I have
n’
t had my coffee yet. I could use a pick-me-up. Care to join me
?
”

“
Yes, I do. But real food awaits us. We do
n’
t have time for both
.
”

“
Your priorities mystify me
.
”

✧
                           

“
You brought me here for stick pastry and hot chocolate
?”
Ruby asked.

“
I had a feeling yo
u’
d find the menu palatable
,”
Emilio said.

“
What are those
?”
She pointed to a scalloped platter filled with small rolls.

“
Those are savory, not sweet. The
y’
re filled with ham, cheese, and sausage
.
”

“I’
ll have another sugar stick. Wha
t’
s it called
?
”

“
A churro
.”
He passed the platter with a grin.

“
Wait a minute, yo
u’
re not grimacing. Wha
t’
s the deal
?
”

“
I came by my nutrient-dense creations honestly. Family recipes, you could say
.
”

“
The cinnamon rolls. And now these churros. I
t’
s the Mar
tí
n conspiracy
.”
She chewed and contemplated
.“
I suppose the same rules can apply. The trickery ends at my taste buds, understood
?”
She gestured with her churro.

He mustered a serious expression
.“
Yes,
I’
d never dream of crossing you. I have no doubt yo
u’
d wield that weapon expertly. Death by sugar stick, as you call it
.
”

“
A delicious end
.”
She finished off her breakfast and brushed sugar from her hands.

Gabriella appeared and hugged Ruby with her free arm
.“
Have you had enough to eat
?
”

“
Yes. It was delicious. I wish we could stay, but we have to get to the office
.”
             

“
Ca
fé
cortado
to go
?
”

“
I caught coffee. I never refuse it
.
”

“
Sin leche, por favor
,”
Emilio added. "I
t’
s a Spanish espresso. I asked for yours without milk
.
”

“
Would you come with me
?”
Gabriella asked
.“
I could use a hand
.
”

Emilio started to stand.

Gabriella pushed him down with an affectionate tug to his ear
.“
Give us a minute,
Mijo
.
”

“
Vale
.
”

Out of earshot, Gabriella asked
,“
I could ask you what your intentions are for my son
.
”

“
Gabi,
I
—”

“
But I believe the
y’
re clearer to me than they are to you. I
t’
s the province of being an old woman. I can read the eyes of the young
.
”

“
Yo
u’
re not old, Gabi
.
”

“
My work keeps me young
.
”

“
H
e’
s not at all what I expected
.
”

“
I brought him into this world, and he still surprises me.
I’
ve seen many after him for devious reasons
.
”

Ruby started to speak
,“
Gab
i
—”

“
No,
Car
iñ
a
, you do
n’
t need to tell me. I know enough about you, your work. Your intentions are pure. I think, like my son, you are unaware of the brilliance of your own light. Maybe yo
u’
ll discover it together
.
”

“
Gabi,
I’
m not sure what to think of . . . us, I guess. H
e’
s starting to matter, you know?
I’
m not ready for this
.
”

“
When I found out I was pregnant with him, I was so afraid. I was
n’
t ready. I did
n’
t have a good example for a mother. How could I be a good one? Sometimes what w
e’
re not ready to enter into our lives becomes one of the best parts
.
”

“
I can see where Emilio gets his persistence
.
”

“
Take your
ca
f
é
and be off. Yo
u’
ve a big day ahead.
Ten cuidado
. Stay safe
.
”

“
Thanks
.
”

“
Wait, ther
e’
s always time for
besos
.”
Gabriella embraced Ruby, kissed her cheeks, and waved her into the dining room.

Ruby handed Emilio a travel cup as he fell into step beside her
.“
Here, your mom says i
t’
s your favorite. And she gave me enough kisses for both of us
.
”