Defender's Heartbeat

Chapter 25

Manuel

Louis, who was 26 and had someone to marry now, still had to deal with Enzo's habit of provoking him.

"Your girlfriend's an ugly ass," Enzo taunted Louis.

"Get lost, Enzo," Louis retaliated, kicking him. Enzo kicked back and tried to run away, but Louis grabbed him from behind, making Enzo struggle to break free.

"You think you'll find a girlfriend better than mine?" Louis said, trying to punch Enzo, but I stepped in and pulled Enzo away from Louis.

Louis glared at me angrily but didn't say anything. Thank goodness.

"Of course, Louis. I'll find someone better than your ugly girlfriend," Enzo defiantly shouted as I dragged him away. His words only made me more frustrated.

"Can you stop with that nonsense?" I snapped, pushing his arm away roughly.

"I do whatever I want," he shot back defiantly, his words like sharp arrows aimed at me.

"I'm tired of having to save you repeatedly, and you keep trying to pick fights like an idiot," I scolded him, putting the blame squarely on his shoulders.

"Isn't that why you're getting paid, Papa? To keep me safe?" he spat back at me.

"Not to protect you from your siblings or your father," I fired back angrily, poking his forehead with my finger.

"Then don't do it," he replied, staring me down defiantly.

"Okay, fine, boss," I relented, feeling a twinge of pain cross his face.

"Papa, I'm sorry," he mumbled softly. His gaze melted my heart like butter in a hot oven, and my anger dissipated, replaced by sympathy. He always knew how to play this game and use my weakness for him. Enzo was a little monster, but he was my little monster.

"I can't believe you, Enzo," I whispered emotionally, looking at him.

He smirked, knowing he had won this round too, and then pulled me into a tight hug, showing who was boss in our father-son emotional battle. I let out a frustrated sigh, hugging him tightly against me.

Louis

Marriage was never something I saw for myself. But Papa was dead set on it. So, he introduced me to a girl named Lea. She came from a wealthy family, but she wasn't my type. Even though Papa couldn't see it, I could tell she wasn't wife material. At 19 years old, she seemed too young for me; I was already 26. We didn't seem like a good match. She told me she wasn't too thrilled about getting married at her age. Still, her parents were over the moon about the idea, especially given my family tree as Gerardo Perez's son. Honestly, if I were to tie the knot, I'd rather have someone more mature. I didn't have the time or patience to babysit anyone.

"Girls in the clubs talk about you a lot," Lea mentioned. She had blond hair and a slim body.

"Really? What do they say?" I asked.

"They said you're wild in bed," she said, giving me a flirty look.

I knew what she meant. I smirked.

"Is that why you like me?" I asked.

"Kind of," she replied.

I wasn't really into her. We didn't have much in common. But I couldn't say no to Papa. Dealing with Enzo's constant jabs at her was a pain. She wasn't ugly, no matter what Enzo said. I knew he was just trying to provoke me, aware of my quick temper. Honestly, I didn't want to make things worse for Enzo, considering he already got enough grief from Papa. But that stubborn idiot couldn't keep his mouth shut.