Taken In

Chapter 62

Javier's POV

'Looks like Arturo's skipping town, tailing him on the I-37 near McCoy.'

I quickly glance at my phone as a message from Gabriel flashes across the screen, clutching it from the mount ahead of me in annoyance as my grip on the steering wheel tightens. I'm barely back in the city and shit is already going south.

Checking my mirrors I slowly pull away from the airport parking lot, briefly turning to see Breo sound asleep in the passenger seat, peacefully holding both pooh bears- my stress immediately easing at the sight of her. I half expected her to be sad we're leaving Disneyland, but she seemed just as happy to come back to San Antonio with me. She even suggested we bring back keychains for my 'friends'- I didn't have the heart to tell her no.

Steadily driving through frost covered roads under the cold Texas night I think back over the past few days, reflecting on feelings I haven't felt in a long time. I didn't realise until I met Bre that I've never really known what happiness is- passing through life with a numb ache I thought I could fix on my own, drowning away memories in liquor and violence to avoid who I truly am. If it wasn't more money, it was a bigger house, bigger territory, more runners, more accolades, something. Terrified that if I let anyone get close they'd see me for who I really am, a scrawny wannabe cholo who's so afraid of his past that he'd do anything to escape it, without realising he's only running from himself.

Now I have Bre I know what it's like to be content, happy, optimistic, genuine. With Bre I get the privilege of seeing the world through her eyes, to get excited about the little things, and care for someone more than I could ever care for myself. I swear she's the closest thing on this earth to an angel- I'd live this life a thousand times if it meant she'd be mine forever.

With Bre I'm not just the motherfucker who couldn't protect his mom or sister, who put a bullet through the assholes that killed them both when it was too late, who's best friend fucked him over, and who thought power and fear could alleviate the weight of his fucked up reality. I'm someone she can come to, confide in, share memories with, love, care for, even when I don't deserve it.

'La Parca' is just a persona, with Bre I get to be myself, I get to be Javier- she sees in me what I've never been able to see in myself, and that's something I will spend the rest of my life repaying her for, she's perfect.

Pausing at a stop light I glance at her again, observing the moonlight reflect gently across her soft features, as a small smile of contentment forms on her lips in her sleep- my world, my heart, my Bre.

Seeing her happy is the only thing that keeps me going, we could lived in Disneyland forever if that's what she wanted- but I know I have to keep her safe. My stomach sinks at the consideration that things with Saco and Arturo may not end the way I want them to- and I don't know how the hell I'm supposed to protect her when I'm the reason she's in danger.

I sigh faintly in irritation, deluding myself with reassuring outcomes that I know won't come to fruition. Between Arturo leaving town, Saco moving further into the city, Fernando going M.I.A. and my best friend fucking me over, I know shit is only going to get more complicated- but I know as long as I have Bre, nothing else matters.

I'll do anything to keep her safe, even if it kills me.