Page 99 of Till Death Do Us Part

“I am?” I asked, surprised.

“Sí, it’s a well-known fact that sex is good for the circulation. Circulation promotes healing. Thus, a regular and active practice of fucking will keep me healthy.”

“Estas loco.”

Aléjandro laughed. “Your Spanish is improving.” He kissed my cheek. “And I may be crazy, but you’re okay with that.”

I changed the subject as we walked into the bedroom. “I told you that I called around to see if the second Saturday in September will work for our families and friends.” My mind blanked as my husband dropped the towel.

He nodded as he pulled up his silk boxer shorts and stepped into a clean pair of blue jeans.

Shaking my head, I continued, “I still haven’t gotten an answer on the number you gave me for Liliana Ruiz.”

Aléjandro tilted his head as his nostrils flared. “Mi-a…” The way he elongated my name was a warning not to revisit my crusade where Liliana was concerned.

“I’m not insinuating anything. I just can’t get an answer. I spoke with Valentina and Maria a few days ago. I don’t want Liliana to learn about our party and think we hadn’t invited her and Gerardo.”

“You could call Valentina again. She might be able to get through to Liliana.”

“I could…” I tucked my chin and widened my eyes.

“Fuck, what does that expression mean?”

A giggle rolled from my lips. “How about you give me Gerardo’s number?”

Aléjandro shook his head. “I’ll call him.”

“And tell him that I couldn’t reach his wife? He could very well get upset with her that you became involved.”

“You don’t think receiving a call fromyouwon’t also upset him?”

“I won’t tell him I haven’t been able to reach Liliana. Instead, I’ll invite them to our party and ask if Liliana could call me for the details.”

Aléjandro huffed as he tugged a button-up shirt over his shoulders.

“Don’t you see?” I asked. “I’m playing into him, as you did by stroking his ego. I’ll be asking for his permission because he’s the granter of all things.” There was more than a little sarcasm to my voice. “Then Liliana will have his approval to contact me.”

My husband sat on the long bench near the end of our bed and began putting on his shoes. When he looked up, I noticed the small lines near his eyes and the way he clenched his jaw.

“Is something wrong?”

“A few months ago—right after we were married—there was an incident with the bratva. Remember when Andrés’s home was invaded?”

I nodded. Of course, I remembered. It was the same time our home was broken into.

“We retaliated.”

“The cartel or you personally?”

“I was involved.”

“I didn’t know that.”

He inhaled. “Yeah, it wasn’t something I wanted to talk about. We kept waiting for a response from Ivan Kozlov, the boss of the bratva. The lack of reaction was grating on me—too quiet. You know what I mean?”

I sat at his side, the warmth of his leg against mine. “Did something happen?”

Aléjandro leaned forward, supporting his head with his hands, his elbows on his knees. “Our apartment building caught fire early this morning.”