“My cousin, Elmer, is also Autistic.I recognized a few of the traits in your eye movements and how you fiddled with your fingers,” Alita said.“I figured I was there to be a companion to you, not knowing I would be trained as an assassin, but it was cool.”
“You weren't afraid to leave your family, Alita, to come share a life beside me?”
She tilted her head a little to the left as she stared at him.“Initially, I cursed my father up one side and down the other.He was sending me to Perona de la Mar as a meal ticket so he wouldn't have to work and also to get in good with your grandfather.However, the next morning over breakfast in the kitchen, it was just you and me.”
“I remember that morning,” he said.“So many people in the house.The paramour, the party...I was in overload.”
“Boss, I could see that, so I had breakfast with you at the table in the kitchen,” she said.“I knew what my job would be, and I accepted the role.”
“And how would you describe your job to others, Alita, if I may ask?”
“At fourteen years old, I knew my job for as long as you needed me was to center your nervous system and protect your peace,” she said softly.
His eyes bore into hers, “My nervous system?”
“Yes, your cognitive functions are reduced when you are overwhelmed, so I learned methods and techniques to calm you and keep you centered,” she told him.“I just so happen to have a scientific mind and was able to learn much of what you did in the lab, and what I didn't know or understand, you taught me.”
He actually smiled.It was a scary, creepy smile, but a smile nonetheless.“You have taught me how to read you although I still have trouble reading social cues,” he said, chuckling.“Did you speak with those teens at The Cranberry's wedding about me?”
“Not in the manner in which you think,” she said, straightening her back, “I told them you very rarely have an opportunity to be a teenager and hang out.I asked them to afford you a bit of grace.”
“Grace?”
“Grace, Boss,” she replied.“You had more fun with those teens than you have with your own brothers.Even in the presence of your brothers, you are on guard as if you expect either one of them to give you a wedgie.I've never seen Yuñior or Andres bully you, and they respect your mind and you.”
“Interesting,” he said, “and your father's ambitions?”
“Andres handled him when I explained what my father wanted and expected,” she said.“He paid my parents a visit and made clear what I would be doing for you and the family, my rate of pay, and potential travel between Argentina, Colombia and the States.Andres explained that if my being away was a hardship to the family, half of my monthly salary would go to the family, which is what I have done.The bonuses received from your stepmother and grandmother have been put into a high interest account your stepmother set up for me.”
“Mi mama,she set you up a high interest account?”
“Yes, so when we reached this point...”Alita said.
Micah leaned forward, his hands on his knees.The new haircut Tim had given him and the way his beard and mustache were trimmed made the man all kinds of sexy.“And what point have we reached, Alita?”
“I am 18 tomorrow.After the Regalia at Perona de la Mar, your father will begin to parade the women for you to choose a bride,” Alita said.“Czars from other countries, not your father's choices, will also be at Carlos's wedding, Andres's betrothal and at Perona de la Mar with other options, hoping you choose their daughter or their nieces, but you have declared war to them all.”
Again, he was smiling at how astute she was and how clever, yet he needed to understand what she'd put together just in case those in the cheap seats didn't understand the developments.
“War, Alita?”
“You had Tim purchase me clothing and dresses to arrive at those events as your plus one,” Alita said.“Your grandmother may skin us both alive to have me seated in the main hall at the table with you versus eating in the kitchen with the other servants.However, your declaration of war is an act of shame for me.”
His forehead furrowed.“How is this an act of shame and not a badge of honor?”
“To sit at your side, as a plus one would indicate intimacy between us that has not occurred,” she told him.“My status as simply your guard will change to your new paramour, especially since you haven't had one in several months.Don't think your family hasn't noticed.They think I am now your lover.”
“I have made it clear to my father you are not, and your maidenhood is intact,” Micah said, feeling offended at her words.
“And what will you say to your grandmother, those Czars, and even your parents when I come down the stairs on your arm, out of uniform in a full-length ball gown?”she wanted to know.
“I will tell them to be sure to compliment what a lovely woman you have grown into,” Micah said.“We aren't kids anymore.You gave your entire teen years to protect me and be my friend since I have none.I am giving back to you as repayment for the times you haven’t been able to shine to do things with your friends.You are my friend.I value you and you deserve to look pretty and wear nice shoes and fancy dresses.”
“Thank you, Boss,” she said, looking down at the boots.
“Alita, if I am declaring war as you stated, are you going to battle with me?”
The tears were threatening to overtake the years of training to show no emotions.She would take down a lion if it came at Micah Delgado, but she wasn't sure she was ready to take on the daughters of jealous Czars who would want the title of being his wife.
