I step out ahead of Anthony, who immediately growls, “Are you trying to get me into trouble already?”
“Sorry. I didn’t realize I’d stepped into the wild west.”
“You didn’t, but I don’t want to take any chances with you. I’ve been warned by several men today, and I take my responsibility seriously. Just like I expect my friends to take care of my sister.”
“Won’t happen again.” I smile and take his proffered arm as we walk down to his SUV. We make the short drive to his place where my son and future daughter-in-law are staying.
“Mother, how was your time out?”
“Great. Are you well?”
“Yes, never better.”
We make small talk, but the cosmos have gone to my head and all I want to do is go straight to bed and everyone can see it.
“Mama, get some sleep. We’re all heading to bed soon as well, anyway.”
“Gracias, hijo.” I kiss his cheek and then Roxie’s before heading off to the guest bedroom. For as exhausted as I feel, sleep doesn’t come easily. My thoughts go to Liam, but only for a moment as it reminds me of my past.
Twenty-eight years ago, I walked into the casino when laws were a little laxer and cameras weren’t everywhere. A young girl looking for a job and a future in America, I’d easily fallen into the arms of the man who hired me as a dancer for his club. At sixteen, I’d become a showgirl in Las Vegas, seeing things I didn’t even understand and falling for lies that were too obvious for the gullible to realize.
He may have been in love with me like he swore, but he didn’t know what love was. He’d been a playboy for so long that I’d been one of many women and was also the last. It’s what sent him to his grave. Of all his lovers, he had chosen me to want a life with, and that cost him his. Although it wasn’t until the night I was going to give birth to his son that I learned that he’d had more children and broken many hearts.
Raising Emiliano on my own inside the dance clubs wasn’t the best thing in the world, but it was all I knew and all I could do. For so long I thought I’d broken my child, stolen his hopes at a happy life. What I hadn’t realized was that he’d been holding out and searching for happiness. Now, I’m going to be a grandmother. Will I be a decent grandmother?
I bet that will send Liam running in the opposite direction now. He probably doesn’t realize how unappealing when he learns I’m going to be an abuela. Turning onto my side, I attempt to rest and ignore that sad thought. Those girls at the bar made me regret all that I missed out on. The life I could have had at finding someone who would love me, to grow old with. Instead, I’m old and waiting for others to live their lives around me.
“Shake it off, Esperanza. Your name is hope for a reason.” I take a deep breath, which turns into a sigh, letting sleep swallow me up.
****
I flee to Nevada in a hurry, doing all I can to avoid seeing Liam. Not that he came looking for me, anyway. The flight back home felt different—empty, painful, and depressing, which makes no sense since I’ve lived there almost my entire life, including the times when life had been the most difficult. I look over to my son, who is gripping his fiancée to him as we ride in the back of the SUV to my property, kissing her temple. He can’t spend a minute without her, and I love watching their happiness unfold around me. It’s everything I’d hoped for all these years. Roxie’s perfect for my son. Feeling my stare, she turns her head and gives me a gentle smile.
“Are you glad to be home?”
“Yes. I have so much to do for the wedding that we have to get started soon.”
“First thing in the morning. I think we need to shake this jet lag, and he has some meetings to deal with.”
“Of course. Besides, I’ll be making all the notes while I’m home.”
“Good. I still have to call my mother and get her two cents on the wedding planning. I’m sure she’s been waiting for this moment since I was a little girl and pretty much lost hope when I started hanging out with my brother and the Riders.”
“Well, I’m all ears. I just want you and my son to be genuinely happy.”
“Honestly, I just want to be his wife. I don’t need anything special except a ring and some vows with friends and family watching, which we’re sure to have.”
“See? That can all be done in a flash.”
Chapter Three
Boss
“Stop tugging at that hair. You’re lucky that at your age you still have it,” Blade says. I swear that he’s trying to land up in the hospital so he can have some nurse sponge bathe his ass.