~Nevaeh~

The annoying sound of someone's fist pounding on the bedroom door makes me groan. I shove my husband's shoulder, wanting him to make it quit. He bats my hand down when I try again.

"Yo, yo, " Mateo's muffled voice dances through my sweet silence.

"Go away!" I fuss, pulling the covers over my head.

The handle jiggles, so I sit up, making sure I'm covered. Belle's prediction came to pass. I've grown rather accustomed to my bare ass against the fancy sheets. Clothes never lasted long in the bedroom anyway, so why not go with the flow?

Mateo slinks through the door, frowning when he looks at me. Confused, my mind goes to the worse.

"Is my Papi alright?" I raise my voice unintentionally.

"He's fine, eating breakfast, why?"

My heart settles and I swivel my head. In the month since his arrival, we've had very few setbacks in his recovery and not a peep from our enemies. So I keep waiting for the shoe to drop. I sort of wish something would come about because living in this constant uncertainty is extremely stressful.

"That look on your face, has something happened?"

"You mean other than the fact I announced my presence and missed out on seeing your gorgeous body?"

A pillow flies across the room and smacks Mateo in his face.

"Don't make me kill you before I've had coffee," Bellemy booms, raising to his elbows, picking up his phone. "Why the fuck are you in our room before noon? You know this woman has me slaving at night."

"Slaving, " I scoff. "I didn't hear you complaining last night!"

"Liar, my hand will probably be useless for the next week."

"Your hand?" I laugh, lightly lifting the sheet to show off my ass. "That last smack bruised!"

Bellemy's warm fingers skid over my back cheek as he waggles his brows. "Want me to make up for it?"

"That depends on how your hand feels."

Jerking me on top of him, Bellemy lets an animalistic rumble flow from his mouth. I giggle, playing with the hair of his beard as he pins me down with his loving gaze.

"So, yeah, you guys enjoy that while I go collect the footage from my hidden cameras. I knew my sister-in-law was a freak, I just needed proof!"

Belle looks over my shoulder before chunking me to the side. A fit of laughter storms me. I watch his ass sashay as he charges for Mateo, who instantly runs from the room.

Belle plucks a small figurine off the bar and shakes his head. "Esa pequeña mierda (That little shit)!"

"Please, for the love of all things good, tell me there's not really a camera on that!"

"Oh, I wish I could, mi amour." He picks for a moment before raising a small lens up. "But he's not one to make things up. There's no shame in that one."

"I'm going to wring his damn neck!" I screech, hopping from the bed. As I put on a black, floor-length robe, my frustration builds. "No, I'm gonna shove a spork in his eye so he can't watch it!"

"Whoa, now, killer, " Bellamy cackles, sitting on the bed and stretching his back. "Let's not get too hardcore, here. I mean, a spork is definitely what I imagined would take him from us, but maybe take it down a notch, aye?"

Pausing my rage, I find myself enjoying the underlining insult, so I lay over him, grinning ear to ear. "I'm sorry, let's start this day over."

"Do-over?" He cocks his brow, squeezing my ass. "Does that include-"

"No, " I shut him down flat, not because I want to, but due to the fact, I need to go see my Papi. If he's already eating breakfast, he's waiting for me. Belle smirks, untying my belt and sneaks his hands to my sides.

"We're already naked, we just need to-" I gasp and bite my lip when he slides his a finger into me. "You sure I can't change your mind?"

His tempo is quick, circulating an explosion of heat through my entire body. My skin feels like it's going to melt off my bones when he flips me onto my back and hovers above. I clutch his hips, steering him my way to answer his question. The man isn't a fool, he knows I can resist him for long anymore. He's weakened me, put me under a spell. He's the only drug I've ever been addicted to and one that doesn't require rehab.

"I always knew you weren't made of steel."

"Oh, babe, you know if I had any wish to make you suffer, I could."

He smirks up at me. "You're awful brave for a woman in need."

"Yeah, I need food, so move it along." I tease. A slight sting spreads in my nipple, stopping my sarcasm when he nibbles slightly.

"Shut up and let me spoil you." His order is exactly what's required so I unwind under the intoxicating touch of his mouth tracing down my stomach. His tongue smoothly builds an exquisite pleasure that runs my troubles into the furthest, most isolated part of my brain. Head spinning and absent of anything but my man, I blindly reach for him until I feel his hair graze the tips of my fingers. A tender compression lays across my dried lips.

"I love you, so fucking much, Nevaeh," He whispers and my eyes snap open to see raw vulnerability flooding from his eyes. "What your mom said that last day I was at the hospital is probably the most honest she's ever been with you. I've told you the moment that haunts me the most, but that list is long and my sins could be a book."

"I don't need to know them, Bellemy, not if that man is gone."

"What if he's not gone?" He questions, nervously looking to the ends of my hair as he plays with it. "I won't always be able to avoid killing and destruction, not if that means risking you. I won't apologize for keeping you from being suffocated in misery."

"You shouldn't, " I inform him. "Any man, despite what his job title is, would be the same to preserve his family."

"Perhaps, " He says, caressing my neck with a single finger. "But loving me is dangerous all by itself."

All I can respond with is a flurry of kisses. I don't have the right words to express what he needs to hear so I just show him. Our lips never part when he takes me over. There's not one single noise to distract his attention from me as we move, escalating the pressure in us with each thrust, lips brush, caress, moan. There's no one else in our world. Just him and I.

My back arches in utter solace as he spills his seed, moaning softly in my ear. Soon, he's persuaded me back under the covers and I cuddle into his side, stroking the small curls of hair between his pecks.

"What's going on in that warped marble of yours, mi amour?" Belle probes, once more, fiddling with my hair.

"I was just thinking about my Abuela."

"Nice, just what every man wants to hear leave his woman's mouth after a sweet fuck."

Tittering as quiet as a mouse, I recline my head to peek at him. "Well, it's been a super long time since I felt this calm and the last time I was in such a peaceful state, it was with her. Did you ever meet my abuelos(grandparents)?"

Humming, the edge of his mouth spiked on one side, making his dimple come to light. "I did in fact, a few times. The last time I saw your Abuela, she pinched my ass and told me she was impressed."

I choked on a giggle, slapping his stomach. "She did not!"

"No fucking lie!" He insists, chuckling. "Ask your Papa!"

"Eh, I don't have to." My joy grows as fondness bloats my heart. "God, rest her soul, I can actually see her doing it."

Glowing proudly, he nods. "Yeah, I guess I'm a siren to the Castilla señoritas."

"Not all of them, " I remind, reaping a sympathetic sneer and an elbow rub. "I don't know how I missed the signs, Oso. Maybe it was because I've never truly known my mother. My Abuela was always at my side. She never yelled when I made mistakes during her lessons, not even when I nearly burnt the house down trying to bake chocolate empanadas for Abuelo. They were his favorite."

"Mine too, " Belle says.

I roll my eyes at him, slapping my lips together. "Anything with sugar is your favorite."

"See, you get me, that's why we work. But, we aren't talking about me, how did little Nevaeh almost burn the house down and how did the legendary Paulina Castilla handle such a sweet face with a clear mind?"

"Well, I wasn't so little, I was actually 21 and got a bit distracted, but I should probably skip that since Amelio was involved."

"No, " He blurts, "I want to hear about it. Rum Tum is apart of your past and I can deal with that. You've handled mine and didn't slaughter her, so I owe you one."

"So true, " I sit up and hug my knees, letting my mind drift back. "It wasn't the best day to start. I had fought with my parents over my choice to quit college and didn't want to be near them. So I went to the one person who never demanded I be who they wanted. Long story short, she was under the weather and promised my Abuelo his treat and couldn't do it. So I decided to help and I had everything in the oven when Amelio showed up."

I sigh, watching Belle's brows furrow. "That's the day he broke up with me and I sat on the porch swing crying, totally forgot I had food cooking. Well, my Abuela came out in her yellow nightie and purple slippers, scowling like I was the devil through a fog of smoke. I think it was the only time she ever showed me any anger. Once she saw the state I was in, it vanished, though."

"Of course, she cared about you and despite your mistake, you were hurting. "

"Yeah, " I grinned. "She made me scrub the soot from the stove and floor later to remind me to be responsible, but helped, so it wasn't so bad. I've never loved anyone the way I did her. She never took the easy way out or crammed her wishes for me down my throat. She let me live and learn and that's all I wanted from my mamà. Papi followed her lead most of the time and Abuelo did his best to stay out of it all. So she was the only advocate I had."

Tears started rolling freely from my eyes when a haunting memory floats in. Sitting up, Belle takes me in his lap and strokes my back. "I didn't mean to upset you. You don't need to tell me anymore."

"You didn't, " I sniffled. "It's just every time I try to talk about the good, the bad ruins it."

"The bad?"

"The day they got in the accident, Mother and Papi were out of town on business. I was all alone when two officers showed up at the door. So clearly can I remember how detached they were as they broke the news, like androids incapable of emotions. I mean, I understood they didn't know them, but, they could have been more friendly. They mentioned something about them being the only car and my Abuelo losing control. That was all before they left me to grieve. I managed to stay on my feet long enough to shut the door. After that, everything just spun into chaos and didn't stop. Hell, it still hasn't stopped."

"It will, " He promises as he stands me up. "Starting today. Now, go see Levi. I'll be down shortly."

"Okay," I say, plucking my robe off the floor where he tossed it. As I cover, I can see that Bellemy is deep in thought, and whatever he's got going on inside has him looking a bit pale. So I trot back closer and rub a hand through his hair. "What's wrong?"

After a moment of staring at me with curiosity, his head shivers. "Nothing, really, just wondering if I should-"

Pausing, he frowns. "Remind you that we have have a date tonight."

"A date?" I laugh, trying to recall when he mentioned a night out. "When did we discuss this?"

His mouth forms a wounded sneer. "Um, it's our anniversary. I kind of assumed you'd expect to be treated."

"It's not-" I lean over to grab his phone and see the date. Oh, snap, he's right. My mouth bobs as I try to come up with an explanation for not remembering. I got nothing. "I'm sorry! Please, don't be mad!"

Laughing, he stands up, slides on a pair of white sweatpants, and points to the door. "Let's see how I feel after I 've gotten food in my belly. Right now, you're just going to have to suffer in silence."

"I don't do silence, mi amour."

Leading me to the door, he agrees with a head shake. "Tell me something I don't know."

We arrive in the kitchen, hand in hand, and Papi smiles up at me. I kiss his cheek and sit beside him as Belle speaks with Zolia at the stove.

Dad's nurse, Mattie, growls when he pushes away the food. "You need to eat, sir."

"I'm not hungry. Nevaeh, I've remembered some from the night I was attacked and need your help putting the pieces together."

My hand lingers in the air as I go to take the mug of piping hot coffee my husband poured me. Belle circles my fingers around the handle and props beside me.

"How can I help?" I ask. "I wasn't there."

"Oh, I know. I need you to help with my login for the security cameras at home. I don't know why, but can't remember it"

Mattie pats his shoulder. "We've gone over this, Mr. Robertson. Your head injury causes some forgetfulness."

The nurse is extremely patient with Papi and I love it. She's in her mid-thirties with a coat of beautiful golden hair and bright green eyes. The tan of her skin is completely even over her short, thick body. The woman has enough boobs for three.

Dad's grey brows wrinkle as he nods. "That's right, I do recall you mentioning that."

I hate seeing him so upside-down. It's weighing greatly on him and I just want to take all his pain away. Mom didn't put up much of a fight with me taking care of him when I threatened to out her and Victor to my mother-in-law's family. I guess she does have some fear. Nevertheless, it hasn't been easy. He gets upset a lot more than he used to. We've had a lot of broken dishware. Mealtimes seem to be the worst.

I take his hand, moving back as Zolia gently places my breakfast in front of me. "I'm all for helping, but not tonight. I have a date."

Smiling, he nudges a finger towards my plate. "I thought you two were already married."

"Um, that's random, " I giggle, pulling my hand back.

"Not really, " Belle adds, drawing my attention when he lifts up my plate of pancakes. They're blueberry, my favorite, topped with whip cream, peanuts, and something non-edible.

A smile spreads across my face so wide, it hurts. "Is that?"

"It is."