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“I will, Apá. I promise.”
“And be safe.”
I sigh. “Yes, Apá.”
“And don’t—”
“I’ve got it, Apá. Talk to you soon.”
After ending the call, I drop onto the sofa and let out a long, slow breath. He wasn’t this protective when I was eighteen and leaving for college.
In Puerto Rico
The second after Marisol hangs up, Cirilo Borrero dials another number, speaking harshly to his top Casta, “Why is someone living in the unit beside my daughter after I paid for it to be emptied?”
“There shouldn’t be,” Ruiz answers. “I confirmed the old man had moved out. I tried to lease the unit for a year upfront, but the property manager said the owner took the unit off the market to make repairs and upgrades.”
Cirilo slams his fist onto his desk. “So instead of one stranger being inches from Marisol, there will be dozens.”
“Sir, it’s been years since… You haven’t told me why there is a sudden need to protect her.”
Cirilo ignores the man’s implied question and issues a single order before hanging up. “Find out what you can about the owner.”
Marisol
After the lunch break, a supply run, and the call with my father, I’m soon back at work, unpacking in the kitchen this time. I probably should have started with this room, but I wanted to work quickly to make my new home look like a home.
Setting my mini herb pots on the windowsill, I look out over the clean backyard and notice Austin practicing with Piper. I bend over, propping my elbows on the counter, and watch. Austin is wearing a construction tool belt slung low on the hips of his gray cargo shorts. His cotton tee is stretched across his impressive chest and biceps.
Corded arms and powerful legs tell me the man never gave up his military discipline, which I’m sure all of womankind appreciates. Austin’s tan skin speaks to a lot of time spent outdoors with Piper. The tiny bit of gray in his dark hair, plus the fine lines around his eyes, confirm he’s older than me, but I don’t know how much. Regardless of his age, the man is dangerously sexy. And you’re not getting any work done.
Sighing, I push off the counter, determined to finish all my unpacking by the end of the day. I reach for the faucet, wanting to clean off the counters before setting anything out. Unfortunately, no water comes out when I move the handle. “Great.”
Austin catches my eye again, prompting me to take another break… after working less than five minutes. Ignoring my annoyingly correct inner voice, I step onto the back deck to watch the pair play.
Piper Army crawls and slaloms between Austin’s legs as he walks. Austin notices me watching and steps up their performance. When the two finish, I can’t resist clapping at their impressive show. Austin bows, and his brows pinch as though he’s shocked himself.
“That was amazing,” I tell him as he walks up the steps.
Austin leans against the railing, but Piper doesn’t follow. Glancing her way, I ask, “What’s wrong? Why won’t she come up?”
“She remembers needing permission to approach you. Is it okay?”
I’m equally impressed by her intelligence and touched by their concern. “Um. Sure.”
Austin issues another foreign command, and Piper walks onto the deck. She advances toward me slowly. “Hi, girl.”
I reach out to pat her back, and she rests her head on my knee, keeping still as stone. The closeness makes me cringe initially, but it’s more of an automatic reaction. My logical mind has decided that Piper doesn’t seem so scary anymore.
Straightening my spine, I run my hand down her neck and back while her master watches closely. “How’s the move-in going?” he asks.
“Kind of slow, but only because I keep taking breaks. Other than my lack of commitment to the task, it had been going fine until I hit a snag in the kitchen. The faucet won’t turn on.”
Austin’s hands go to his hips. “Huh. I can take a look at that for you if you’d like.”
I shrug my shoulders to seem blasé about the offer. Not only would I be inviting a virtual stranger into my home, but an incredibly sexy one. I don’t want to seem too enthusiastic. “Sure.”
Leaving Piper outside, Austin follows me through my back door. He kneels at the sink, opening the cabinets, but I have no idea what he’s looking for. I bend over to watch, and Austin twists a couple of metal handles attached to metal braided hoses. In mere seconds, we both hear a dripping noise from the faucet.
