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I look around the street and see a fancier-looking restaurant. It appears to be a Spanish steakhouse, and I’ve never been to one. “What about that place?”
“If you want to go there, then let’s do it.”
“Okay, come on.” I lead the way, and we both head into the restaurant. My twenty-first birthday has already been the best, and I can’t help but wonder what the rest of my birthdays will look like. Are they going to be this amazing because Ambros is by my side? I sure hope so.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ambros
It was adorable that Xava wanted me to pick where we went to dinner tonight. I had to remind her that it wasn’t my birthday. Therefore, she was the one who could pick wherever she wanted to go. I expected us to walk for a few more minutes until we saw some more options, but Xava noticed this steakhouse, and now we’re inside, sitting back in a quiet, tucked-away corner with a single candle lit between us. We’re sipping on red wine and overlooking a magnificent view of the city. The nightlife is alive and well, with neon lights, apartment lights, and people walking along the streets.
This is Xava’s first time in Barcelona, but it’s my sixth or seventh time in this wonderful city. There aren’t many places where I’d want to come back time and time again, though Barcelona is one of them. The people and culture are always so welcoming. It doesn’t matter where you’re from in the world, the citizens of Barcelona are happy to have you here and your deep pockets, so your money is spent in their city. They have a mind-blowing tourism system here. More cities like it should start adapting some of their ways.
Xava has her wine in her hand and looks out the window. She’s so picturesque. So peaceful. She looks as though she’s having the time of her life, and I’m glad. For a while now, she’s been stressed, and while she doesn’t enjoy speaking about it, she doesn’t have to with me. I can read it all over her face when something is bothering her.
“You’ve been awfully quiet since we got here.” I’m careful to choose my words because I don’t want to upset her or cause her any unnecessary stress. We’re here for her birthday, so I want to ensure she has a great time.
“There’s just a lot on my mind. After we arrived, Ruslan called me and updated me on a couple of things.”
“Ah, anything good?”
“Depends on your definition of good, I think. He went to go speak with Duarte’s family in Portugal.”
“Mmm, how did that go?” Knowing Ruslan, I’ll bet he found some way to finagle things to be in his favor. He’s been a powerful businessman for many years and knows exactly what he needs to do and say to keep people happy. Things with Duarte’s family are no exception.
Xava shrugs and takes a sip of her wine. “Good, I suppose. They’ve agreed to back off after understanding why things happened the way they did. I ended up finding out a lot more about what Duarte put Mona, the girls, and my brother through. Ruslan confessed those things to his family, and they’ve agreed that they won’t come after our family any longer. They did tell Ruslan that Julio Ramirez wouldn’t stop. So, in the back of my mind, I’m worried about that. I’m worried about him hurting me somehow because Duarte’s family made it seem like Julio won’t stop.”
I lick my lips and nod, hearing every word Xava has to say. “He wasn’t going to stop, but I made him. He won’t hurt you at all anymore, Xava. No one will.”
Xava blinks a few times at me and scoots back in her chair. She sits up straight but looks like she’s taken aback by what I’ve said.
“I’m sorry. I’m not following.”
“Xava, you don’t have anything to worry about any longer. Julio is dead, and he won’t try to kill you as a way to get back at your family.”
Gratitude mixed with a somberness washes over Xava’s face. “You did that for me? To keep me safe?”
“Of course, I did. There was never any question in my mind. It’s my job to keep you safe, Xava. I will never let anyone harm you, whether it’s something serious like what Julio was trying to do or something on the completely opposite side of the spectrum. You’re… you’re very well becoming the most important thing in my life. I cherish you today and every day.”
Xava grabs onto my hand and gives me a reassuring squeeze. How she looks at me with those Bambi eyes speaks to my soul. If I had to go through everything I did in my years to get to her, I’d gladly do it again. I’d go through every good and bad thing if it meant I’d be with her.
I haven’t vocalized this to Xava yet, but the more time I spend with her, the more I can’t imagine anyone else being in my life. I’m falling in love with her, or so I keep saying… but what if I’m already in love with her?
What if that’s the reason I feel so intensely about her?
“I’ve never had anyone like you in my life. I… I hope you know I’ll never take you for granted.”
“I don’t think you ever would.” There’s not even a moment in my mind where I think that could be possible.
“God, it feels so wrong of me to say. I’m glad he’s gone. I’m glad he’s dead and that he’s not going to try and hurt the family any longer. Eset told me not to be worried about him, but how couldn’t I after what he tried to do? He tried to fucking kill me, and as much as that terrified me, it’s like I knew other things were going on behind the surface. Ruslan doesn’t like to talk to me about that sort of stuff, but I’m not an idiot. I could see something else was going on. I just didn’t really know the magnitude of it all at first. Now I’m starting to see how things really are in this criminal world.”
“They aren’t always so conflictive. A lot of families like yours have issues every once in a while, but for the most part, people respect them, and shit like this doesn’t arise. If I were you, I wouldn’t let it get to you.”
Xava smiles at me softly as she takes another sip. “I’m not. I know I have a man by my side who will do anything to keep me safe. You’ve taken away every worry I’ve had or possibly could have. I feel safer than safe with you, Ambros. I know how ridiculous that sounds, but that’s the God’s honest truth. You’re sent from the heavens. I don’t doubt it for a second.”
I do.
There’s nothing heaven sent about me, but if Xava wants to think that about me, then who the hell am I to argue with her?
