Page 108 of Faded Gray Lines

Thirty-Seven

Leighton

In the middleof wringing my hands, I froze. A side door opened, and Mateo walked out, flanked by two uniformed officers. He looked like a wild animal ready to strike, but it was the feral look in his eyes that stole my breath.

Needing to regain my focus, I turned my gaze toward my brother. “Now what?”

Brody hesitated, eventually stepping between us. “Now I pronounce you...whatever this is.” He opened his fist revealing two gold bands. They weren’t fancy—just simple circles. Reaching for Mateo’s wrist, Brody tilted his hand and deposited both bands into his palm. “There’s a big show outside, kids,” he said, frowning. “Put your game faces on.”

“Mom?” I asked with a sigh.

“She’s worried about you, Lil’ Bit. She’s just doing what she thinks is right.” He smiled while shaking his head.

“For who, though?”

He didn’t answer. Maybe it was for the best. My brother would never see anything but the best in our mother, and who was I to try to sway him? Besides, if her contacts came through for her and found Stella, maybe I’d be the one swayed.

As the three of us walked toward the door, I slowed my stride. Both men turned around, ready to bark commands at the same time when I held up a hand.

“Brody, I think you should stay behind.”

“Why?”

Taking his elbow, I led him toward the tinted window and pointed toward the meticulously landscaped grass covered in wires, cameras, microphones, and hungry anchors. “That’s why. The last thing you need is to be photographed coming out of the police department with a suspected cartel member and his new wife.”

“What about you guys?”

I snorted. “And miss all the fun? Not on your life.”

For once, Brody didn’t argue, pulling out a set of keys and handing them to Mateo. “I had a soldier park your Tahoe one block over in the alley.” Giving me a quick kiss on the forehead, he glared at Mateo. “Take care of my sister, Cortes.”

Before either of us could say a word, he was gone.

After a beat of silence, Mateo brushed my hair away from my eyes. “Te ves hermosa.” You look beautiful.

“Thank you.” My cheeks heated under his gaze.

“I think there’s only one thing left to do.” Holding my left hand, he kissed the small gold band before slowly slipping it on my finger. “For now,mi amor, this will serve as a reminder of my vow. I’ll die for you, and even then, I’ll fight my way back from hell to die for you again.”

Taking the other ring from him, my hands trembled, but I managed to slide it on his finger without dropping it. I didn’t have the perfect words to say, so, I just quoted a certain redhead who suddenly made a lot of sense.

“For you, Matty, I’ll leap.”

He smiled, and although I knew he didn’t understand my vow, I didn’t mind.

Our fingers entwined as we stepped outside. A microphone squealed as my mother’s voice commanded everyone’s attention. “My daughter is a victim here, not an accomplice. She was acting as an informant when members of the Carrera Cartel obviously threatened her.”

My feet moved on their own, carrying me toward the podium. It wasn’t until I was a few steps away that I realized Mateo was gone. Panicking, I scanned the crowd until I saw him leaning against the side of the police station. Lifting his left hand, he kissed his ring.

The words were silent. The meaning was clear.

You can do this, but you can do it alone.

He hadn’t deserted me. Mateo stood back, giving me room to leap.

The minute my mother saw me, she motioned me toward the podium, linking our arms in solidarity. “Speak, darling.”

Instead of making a scene, I settled into my new role. “Thank you all for coming, but I have nothing to say.”