Page 97 of Chris

“Val, come in here, now.”

Maria peered up at her mother from the pile of wooden blocks they had used to build a school for her three Barbie dolls. Valeria was quick to give her daughter a smile, not wanting the girl to worry herself over Jorge, and whatever he wanted. His sharp tone had likely caused Maria’s concern, but then again, the man was always harsh.

He didn’t have a concept of kindness.

“I’ll be right back,” Valeria said, “and by then, you can decide what we will build next, okay?”

Maria nodded. “Okay, Mamá.”

Valeria wouldn’t waste time, so she headed to the rear of the house where Jorge worked in his office. Although working on what, she didn’t know, and she didn’t care to ask. Coming to stand in the doorway, she didn’t walk inside the office because that was yet another one of his rules.

This space was his.

Not hers.

“Yes?” she asked.

Behind the desk, Jorge kept his head down on the paperwork in front of him that he shuffled into a folder. He didn’t bother to glance up at her entrance, nor to greet her before he said, “I am heading out for a week—I need a break after these last few.”

Great.

She didn’t want to be here, but she also didn’t want to be elsewhere with her husband, either. That sounded like a problem waiting to happen, and not at all one she wanted to deal with, all things considered.

Still, Valeria kept her attitude in check. That way, Jorge would keep his fucking moods, and his hands, to himself.

“What will we need?”

He chuckled. “No, me, Val. I am going away for the week. You will be fine here with the guards, Maria, and Abril to keep you company, I am sure.”

Well, yes.

She didn’t show her happiness at his news. That wouldn’t do her any good.

“Where are you going?”

Jorge glanced up, dark eyes nailing her to the floor with his displeasure. “Does it matter?”

“No, of course, not. I wonder—”

“Don’t bother.”

Valeria nodded. “When are you coming back, then?”

“When I feel like it, hermosa.”

Fine with her.

“Okay,” she said quietly, “I hope it’s a good trip.”

And that you never come back.

Valeria forced a smile on her face when Jorge looked her way again. He arched a brow, lifted a finger, and pointed at the doorway, saying, “Leave now.”

She didn’t need to told again.

Spinning on her heel, mind reeling over the fact she would have at least an entire week without this man looking over her shoulder, Valeria moved to leave Jorge’s sight.

“Well, wait a second,” he said behind her.