“The move will be hers,” Micah said.“If she wants to claim me as her own and makes the move, I am not a firstborn, but the third son of a third son.As per cartel rules, I am not obligated to make a match with a highborn family.I can marry as I please, as long as you are in agreement.”
“True,” Eduardo said, getting a better understanding by the second.His son was also a planner, like his older brothers.It was obvious Micah's plans were for a long-term relationship with his guard.
“She will need to learn to cook before we head to Uni,” Micah said.“I am not eating meals out of an air fryer for dinner every night.A man needs some vegetables.”
“Or you can learn to cook as well,” Eduardo corrected.
“I can cook, grill, sauté, and flambe, but what do I look like cooking dinner every night for someone I am paying?Not this cowboy,” Micah said, suddenly looking up as if a bright light was shining through the window.He yelled out for her, knowing she was close by, “Ooh, I wish to ride my horse.Alita!Come, we ride.”
Chapter 3- Influence
Micah Delgado was awake.It was early and his father would be up preparing to ride the fields.Eduardo didn't expect Micah or Angel to join him, but this morning, Micah did.Since his older brothers were not in the house, he had time alone to spend with his father without having to share the spotlight with Yuñior or listen to his father deal with Andres’ antics.Oddly, Micah was the calm one who brought reason to the conversation, and as of late, he'd found his sense of humor refreshing, although dark.
Earlier in the year, while rummaging through one of the old barns, looking for fresh specimens to extract venom for his research on synthetic antivenoms, Micah had found an old-World War II Jeep locals called theYipao.These vehicles, although imported for the war efforts, became indispensable for local farmers.Eduardo said the one in the barn had belonged to his father.
“I forgot that thing was in there,” he told Micah.
“May I have this, Papa?”
“Sure, I see no reason to want it,” he told his son.“You do not have a personal vehicle; did you wish to purchase one for your use?”
“This shall be my personal vehicle as I will restore it and upgrade the features,” he said, looking up, “Papa, would you be willing to assist me if your schedule permits?”
Eduardo, shocked that his very independent son wanted his help, agreed.For several months, they worked on the vehicle, rebuilding the engine and transmission and replacing rotten seals.To his surprise, the old clunker ended up running well, and Micah planned to have it painted once he put in a decent sound system.
Fast forward to months later, as he joined his father for the ride through the fields, Micah’s mind went to the wedding festivities for The Cranberry.He despised social situations, but with the Alita’s help, he'd learned not to blurt out everything in his head.Although he could be slow to pick up social cues, watching his guard gave him context about how to react in certain situations.He valued her more than words could say.
In his head, he recounted the weekend, swimming in the hotel pool with the other teens.Reluctantly, he’d removed his shirt and stood poolside in a loose fitted pair of trunks.At home in the private pool, he swam in a speedo, but Alita had removed it from the suitcase and put it in the trunks.He understood, as he joined the other teens at the pool, why she’d made the call.
“Whoa,” Stephen said as he eyeballed the body art.Stephen, The Bad Apple’s ward, arrived poolside in a sparkly robe and false eyelashes, which made his Asian side-eyeing seem cattywampus.“What does that tattoo mean?”
“Don't fuck with me,” Micah replied.
“Oh, sorry.I meant no harm,” Stephen said, backing away.
Micah smiled.“No, it is what the tattoo means, you know, like don't tread on me.Mine means don't fuck with me.It symbolizes I am the son of a powerful man and will also become a powerful man.”
