Alejandro Vargas x Reader

Twenty-Four

"Where are the kids..?", you asked you stepped outside.

The sun shone right into your face, highlighting every wrinkle, every small cut and the bruises that started to show on your (S/C) skin.

Your entire body felt sore. Your eyes were as empty as they had never been before.

With a worried look, Rudi offered to take the twins off Alejandro.

"We got them one of the bunk bed rooms.", he said and took a deep breath.

Without a word you pushed past him. But Alejandro held you back with gentle force.

"Mi cielo.", he said in a soft yet broken voice. "You shouldn't... show up in front of them like this. Come, we'll get you clean first."

His hand trembled as he grabbed your cheek in a loving manner to place a kiss on your forehead.

You did not react to his attempt to comfort you. Instead, your tired eyes moved to the two men who stood a little aside. They had been watching for quite some time. It seemed strange.

"Who are they?", you asked.

"They are British forces.", Rodolfo explained as he tried with gentle movements to get the girls to settle down. "Laswell send them. For support."

Your eyes flinched.

"Support against what?"

"(Y/N)...", Alejandro sighed. "I don't think this is a good time."

Your gaze wandered over the two for a moment before your eyes jumped up to lock them with your husband. A cold expression filled them.

You had made a decision.

"Lobo.", you pulled him aside. "A word. Just the two of us."

Immediately, Rudi turned to the Brits, did a gesture with his head and walked off to leave the two of you some privacy.

You waited until they all were gone.

"You should sit down.", Alejandro tried to insist.

But you refused. With a shake of your head you closed your eyes and took a deep, shivering breath.

"I'm fine.", you mumbled.

"I doubt that."

"Alejandro, I appreciate that you are a man who cares but we do not have time for that right now."

"You're upset."

"So are you.", a huff escaped you as you gestured him up and down, his hand stained with blood as well. "But this is not about us. It's about the kids and how we can keep them safe."

For a moment he held his breath while his eyes wandered over your face. There was nothing but plain sense of duty to be found. He could tell that you were dedicated.

"Bien...", he sighed and gestured with his head to follow you. "But not here. Let's get some privacy."

It was only then that you realised how many people walked around on base. Like a bunch of ants working for their colony, they ran around, shouted orders and did their duty to keep everything on track.

Alejandro had told you that he was the Colonel, the leader of the bunch, with his own base. But he had never mentioned just how big it was. It seemed as if he were the sole leader of the non corrupt Mexican military. The last fortress that the cartel needed to crush to get unlimited influence on the country.

It made you uncomfortable to be in this place. You felt like a fraud, a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing.

"How are you feeling?", Alejandro asked as the two of you sat in silence.

To be able to talk to each other more privately, he had led you behind one of the halls near the fence. From this position no one could see you, there was nothing of importance in this part of the base. And on the other side of the fence there was nothing but trees.

With a chuckle, you wiped your face with both hands.

"We both know the answer.", you muttered, sighing heavily that something in your chest tightened. "But how are you? You were caught off guard by this."

To hide his reaction from you he turned his face away but you could see him swallow hard. Even though Alejandro was a man who had to show strength, he could not hide the fact that the sight of his child had upset him.

He was even a little surprised, it was not the first time he had seen blood covered children. Or even dead ones.

But this was different.

Whenever he had been on the streets, he had always wondered how parents dealt with losing the most precious thing in their lives.

Now he knew. Or at least he was very close to finding out.

"The doctors said he wasn't dead when I brought him to them.", you whispered with the fear that every word might hit a sore spot. "And they haven't come to talk to us yet. He could still be alive. We shouldn't... I want to hope for the best."

His gaze wandered over his shoulder. Your eyes met.

"But we should expect the worst, no?", he replied.

Taking a deep breath, you closed your eyes and shook your head. Even though you would never have said it out loud, you knew that his bitterness come from experience.

It could be that Moro would not make it.

Just one more reason why you should do everything you can to find her. As long as she was breathing, you would never have a moment's peace. And your family would never be safe.

"It was the cartel.", you confessed as the tears began to sting the corners of your eyes once more. "They knocked on our door... wanted something..."

Alejandro's body trembled. His breath caught in his throat as his jaw clenched and visible anger appeared in his eyes.

"I should have never pulled you into this...", he said and shook his head over and over again as if it would help to make things undone. "I married you even though I knew it would drag you into this mess, I convinced you to take in kids, I-!"

"Alejandro.", you cut him off, your voice loud and clear, your face wiped off any emotion. "They didn't come because of you."

Struck by surprise, he froze.

"For whom then?"

"Me.", you looked up to him with a tired smile. "I was with the cartel once. I'm sorry... I never told you."