Page 36 of Thiago (Family Ties #6)

Chapter Thirty-Six

I ndia placed the last piece of cookie in her mouth, cognizant of Thiago’s laser-focused gaze across the table. She finished chewing and swallowed.

“Well?” he asked.

She purposely took time to answer, as if she had to think long and hard. “The arepas were delicious. I could definitely eat those again.”

“And the cookies?”

“The cookies…”

Seconds ticked by.

“India!” he exclaimed impatiently.

She giggled. “All right, they were delicious! Oatmeal raisin has been dethroned.”

“Thank you!” Thiago threw up his hands with exaggerated finality.

After some additional laughter, they both fell silent.

“I heard you established a profit-sharing policy.”

“I only announced the plan this morning. How did you find out?”

“I still have contacts at Santana International,” India replied. “It’s a great idea.”

He nodded. “Profit-sharing is good for the company. It boosts morale and lowers turnover.”

“That’s not why you did it,” India said.

A statement, not a question. She had come to realize Thiago enjoyed the role of gruff overlord, but his complex personality included a softer edge beneath the steel, which most people never saw.

He often spoke about numbers and efficiency, and though he could be harsh at times, he was also quietly generous, exhibiting pragmatic compassion when it was least expected.

“No, that is not why I did it,” he admitted quietly.

India cleared her throat and stood. She picked up her dishes and came around the table to collect his.

“Thank you,” he said.

“You’re welcome.”

She took the plates and glasses into the kitchen, using the time to shore up her defenses for the conversation ahead.

Having Thiago there felt good but was extremely difficult.

She had missed him and wanted to touch him—anywhere.

She longed to run her fingers through his soft hair or stroke his beard as he held her in his arms.

Taking a fortifying breath, she pushed away from the sink and left the kitchen.

Thiago was standing at her desk in the living room. “You’re drawing again,” he said, holding up two sheets of paper. One contained a raven on a tree branch, and the other was a halfway completed image of a hummingbird.

“Yes. I took your advice and went to see my father.”

He carefully returned the pictures to the desk and gave her his undivided attention. “What happened?”

“We got along. Turns out, he didn’t forget about me.

As I grew older, he became embarrassed about his financial situation.

He believed I was better off without him since he hadn’t contributed much to my life—his words—but he was always proud of me.

He just didn’t see where he fit into my world.

Of course, I made sure he understood I love him, he’s my father, and he will always fit into my world.

Oh, and the reason he didn’t recognize me at the gas station is because he can barely see.

” She laughed, shaking her head. “He wears bifocals and didn’t recognize me without his glasses. ”

“I’m glad you found out because I was angry at the man for no reason. Has he seen your work?”

“Yes, and he acted like a proud papa. He sketches, like I do, and he also paints. I told him I would work on a marketing plan for him to see if we can generate publicity and get him some sales.”

“If anyone can help him, it’s you,” Thiago said.

“Thanks.” India smiled faintly. “You said you wanted to talk?”

“Yes.” He paused. “I don’t know where to begin.”

“Try the beginning.”

“The beginning…” Thiago rubbed his hand across his jawline. “Okay. Did you accept the job in Miami?”

“Yes.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. “I don’t want you to leave, India. I want you to stay here and continue working for Santana International. Stay here with me.”

“We’re past that point, don’t you think?”

“I will match whatever they offer you in salary, benefits, and bonuses.”

India laughed, but it was a hollow, empty sound. “You weren’t saying this two weeks ago.”

“Because I was a fool. I was angry you were trying to leave me, and when I found out you had a job offer, I felt betrayed.”

“Can you understand why I called the headhunter? You threatened my career. My livelihood.”

His face filled with shame. “I know. It was a shitty thing to do, and I’m sorry.

I hurt you and scared you, and I hate myself for it.

I used my power in a way I shouldn’t have, and it was unforgivable.

I know that.” His voice roughened. “But despite what I said, I never intended to follow through on my threat. Your job was never in danger. I swear to you.”

“There was no way for me to know, Thiago.”

“I understand, but can you understand how I felt when I found out about your job offer? I thought we were closer, and it seemed you were keeping yet another secret. You hold so much back. I still don’t understand why you took so long to tell me you had lupus.”

India shrugged. “I was afraid.”

“Of what?”

“Maybe you wouldn’t… want me anymore.” During their time apart, she had analyzed her actions and come to this sobering conclusion.

“How could you think such a thing?”

“I have an incurable disease, Thiago.”

“I don’t care. I love you.”

She blinked. His words shocked her.

“Yes, I love you. I want you in my life, and I don’t care that you have an illness.”

“You should care since one day my situation could become so bad I’ll have to be taken care of. What then?”

“I’ll still love you.”

Her chest tightened with emotion. “This isn’t a fairy tale.”

“No, it is real life. Do you think you’re the only person with health problems? My father has a bad back. My brother Ethan is deathly allergic to shellfish. Someone once told me I was mean and an asshole.”

“I wonder who that was,” India said. “By the way, that’s not a health problem. It’s a personality flaw.”

“The point is, we all have issues. I know those examples are not the same, but when you love someone, you love all of them. I love you, India. I want to marry you one day.”

He said the words she wanted to hear, but he didn’t fully understand the gravity of her illness.

“Thiago, I may never be able to have children. I would like to have at least one baby, but a child might not be in the cards for me.”

He shrugged in a so what? way.

“Think about it. What if I can’t have kids? What will you say when people ask?”

“I’ll tell them to mind their damn business, and so should you.

Did you hear what I said? I love you. I want you .

If we never have children, my life will still be complete because I’ll have you in it.

Besides, you have your godchildren, and I have six siblings who I’m almost certain will all have children.

There will be plenty of kids running around for us to love.

We could be the rich aunt and uncle everyone wants to hang out with. ”

He was easily knocking down every one of her arguments.

“How do you feel about me?” Thiago asked, his shoulders taut.

For the first time ever, she saw uncertainty in his eyes as he waited for her answer.

“I love you. So much,” India admitted.

His chest deflated as he released a long breath. “Then don’t leave me.” Thiago took her hand in his and lifted her knuckles to his lips. “And lean on me. You do not have to struggle on your own with the symptoms and the treatments.”

India stared at their hands together—his tanned, hers chocolate-brown. She lifted her gaze. “I need to tell you something. One more secret, in the interest of full disclosure.”

He visibly tensed. “Okay.”

“I don’t know how to cook,” she said.

Thiago visibly relaxed. “I know.”

“What do you mean you know?” India asked.

“I know,” he said again, adding a shrug.

“How?” India demanded.

“I guessed a few months ago when we had lasagna for dinner. I saw the restaurant bag you had stuffed in the trash.”

Her mouth fell open. “You didn’t say a word!”

“What does it matter?”

“It matters because—because I lied . I lied for months!”

“Do you really think I give a damn that you cannot cook? I’m rich! I have a personal chef and a housekeeper who prepare most of my meals. When I don’t want to eat at home, I go to a restaurant. I thought it was cute you were trying to impress me.”

“I wasn’t trying to impress you.” India slapped his hand. “I was trying to feed you because I knew you left work and came straight to my apartment. I was surprised you didn’t pass out in the middle of sex.”

His sculpted lips slowly expanded into a smile. “You were concerned about me.”

“Yes, I suppose.” India rolled her eyes but smiled at the same time.

“For the record, I didn’t set out to deceive you.

I had ordered food, put it on nice plates, and you assumed I had cooked.

You made such a big deal about how thoughtful it was and how much trouble I’d gone to, I didn’t have the heart to tell you I hadn’t done much except take the food out of the containers. ”

“But that’s the point, don’t you see? You made the effort.

You once said it’s not the grand gestures but the small acts of kindness that make the difference.

I don’t care if the food you serve me is home-cooked.

All I care about is how you made sure I had something to eat and drink.

That’s very thoughtful. Do you know how rare that is for people to do something like that, especially for a man like me?

A man who has everything. What could I possibly need?

You saw a need and filled it, which is all that really matters. ”

Perhaps sensing her pending acquiescence, Thiago stepped closer, forcing her to tip her head back to look into his eyes.

“We are perfect for each other. We were made for one another. I don’t want to live without you. I would be utterly miserable. My life would be incomplete. It would be so much sweeter, so much happier, so much more enjoyable with you in it.”

“I agree.” India slid her hands up his chest and locked them around his neck, pleased she could touch him again. “You love me?”

“If I could find a stronger word to express my feelings, I would use it. Love will have to do. I love you, with every fiber of my being.” His hands tightened on her waist. “Do you forgive me for what I said, India? I know I don’t deserve it, but I’m begging for your forgiveness anyway.”

India touched his cheek. “Yes, I forgive you.”

Holding her close, he buried his face in her neck. “Thank you. I never again want to know what it’s like to not have you in my life. The past two weeks have been torture.”

India stroked his hair. “I agree. Thank you for coming to get me.”

They moved at the same time, their lips meeting and searing together in a kiss of love and the promise of a shared future.