Page 20 of Anaki

I wasn’t able to go as much last year. Not when my muscle weakness had gotten worse. I found it not worthwhile loading a wheelchair into a car, and being exhausted before I got there.

She acted like we were staying here forever. While Emm might make friends here, she was a nomad and never stayed in one place for long. Itwould have been nice for our whole family to live in one place, but it wasn’t going to work. Our enemies knew where Emm was now, which was here, and we had a lot of enemies.

A whole cartel.

I wouldn’t keep Luis here. I couldn’t. Especially when I couldn’t physically protect him.

There was also the matter of getting a citizenship. Emm made a lot of money, but not that much to get us here without the constant worry of being deported.

I peered out from the second row of our colossal vehicle, my eyes scanning the surroundings eagerly. Towering trees stretched towards the sky, their branches swaying gently in the cool breeze. The evergreens stood proud and vibrant, their emerald hues captivating my gaze.

The air hung heavy with the smell of damp earth. There must have been recent rainfall; Bear had mentioned that happens a lot here. The overcast sky blanketed a somber tone over the town. It felt as if I had stepped into a scene from a Twilight movie.

Considering the vampires trailing us, I recognized the irony.

I thought that was why I hadn’t completely lost it. It was because I’d been raised around Abuela’s crazy antics, as she tried to make me believe that there wasmore out there...and there was my son’s vivid, creative imagination. It also helped that I read my fair share of paranormal romance novels.

Had I become immune?

At least I had not become the fainting, screaming heroine. Just the numb, dumb woman that couldn’t do jack to save her family.

Emm, where are you when we need you?

Crap, I couldn’t believe this was real. Vampires, shifters, witches? Not to mention, there was a dragon in the back seat playing Go Fish with my son.

I turned my head, to see Anaki and Luis whispering to each other. They were both animated, talking, and laughing like they had some sort of secret. Luis saw me watching and waved his hand for me to turn around.

I stuck my tongue out at him, and he returned the gesture.

They continued their card game, but instead of watching Luis, my attention was on Anaki.

A long sigh escaped my lips when I realized he was part of the club's care team. He was only there to make sure we were comfortable and to make sure that Luis was adjusting.

When he comforted me on the plane, it was the most delicate care I had ever received from a man in my life. He tucked me into a chair, made me a bed, and ordered me to sleep. I should have fought back, but something in his gentle voice, the soft touch of his hand… he took the physical pain away.

He called melove.

No one had called me anything like that. Babe, baby,love?Was it an endearment he used with the other women he helped take care of?

Part of me hoped it was only for me. I decided then and there, I wasn't going to believe it was only for me. Because a handsome man like that wouldn’t want a woman with a condition like mine, and a son.

I’ll keep that fantasy to myself.

It was selfish to even have such a fantasy when I have a son to look after.

I looked away and faced the front while we drove through the town. The first man to show me a bit of kindness for the first time in my life, and I get the warm fuzzies. What was wrong with me?

Why couldn’t I be like Emm? I needed to toughen up, for Luis’ sake. We wouldn’t be here for long. Once the threat was under control, we would talk to Emm and figure out what to do next. Find another place to hide, because we would never truly be rid of the problem.

This was just an MC. Magic or not, they couldn’t be that strong.

I felt my breath rise and fall faster and faster. I had tried to remain calm the whole time, but damn it, it all came to a head. Stress made my disease worse, and here I was, falling apart in front of all these strangers.

My heart sped up, and my body shook.

I should have called Emm. I should have told her what was happening. Why didn’t I fight more? They could be lying. Why did I just let them take us?

Abuela squeezed my hand. “Mija, look at me.” I shook my head, then screwed my eyes shut.