Defender's Heartbeat 2

Chapter 53

Gerardo

What a peaceful day, finally. I sat down in the garden and lit a cigar, savoring the quiet. Today, there was no noise. Hmm.

Then I saw them coming back. Shit. To be honest, I can't wait for them to leave the house. I don't know what happened to the peace and quiet here these last few days.

"Oh my God, Papa, they're coming back. Why didn't they get lost in the woods?" Juana said, coming over with a smirk.

"The woods aren't that big," I replied.

"Shit, wish there was a bear and it ate them all. Then no one would come back," she muttered with a wicked grin.

"What about your brother?" I asked.

"I thought you hated him," she teased, and I just stayed quiet. I don't hate him anymore.

I watched Manuel trailing behind the boys, holding a backpack—pretty sure it's Enzo's. Honestly, I don't like Enzo or any of my sons spending so much time with strangers.

With Juana, though, she always gets what she wants. She just has to give me that look, and like an idiot, I fall for it every time.

All three boys ran inside, screaming and tearing up the stairs to Enzo's part of the house like they were being chased.

Then Pedro appeared, home early again, no doubt to check on Enzo. I was surprised to see how much more he and Louis seem to care about him lately. Maybe they feel guilty too, like I do. Somehow, I doubt this guilt will ever let go of me.

"You don't have to worry about him that much. He's fine," I said, watching Pedro's cheeks turn red.

"Who are you talking about? I just came to see you," he mumbled, and I chuckled.

"Really?" I said, and he fell silent.

"So, how was work at the office today?" I asked, even as the sound of Enzo's laughter and shouting drifted down from his room.

"They asked when you're coming back," Pedro replied.

"Maybe next week. I need some rest, and this week has been completely wasted," I said, sighing as the boys continued to shout and laugh.

"Kick them out, Papa," Juana insisted.

"You know it would ruin my reputation," I sighed.

Turning to Pedro, I said, "Okay, just go inside and see for yourself how he is. I know you came home early just for that."

"No, I didn't," he protested, but his face gave him away.

"Go, go," I urged him, and he finally relented, heading inside.

Pedro

I went to Enzo's part of the house and heard the boys making a ruckus. When I stepped into his room, they were in the midst of a wild pillow fight, feathers floating through the air like a snowstorm—it was an absolute mess.

Pillows lay ripped open, their stuffing scattered everywhere. The boys were laughing and shrieking, whacking each other mercilessly with whatever bits of pillow they could grab. It was pure, chaotic fun.

They didn't notice me at first, so I took a moment to scan the room until I spotted Enzo. He was beaming, gleefully whacking one of his friends with a pillow. He looked fine, alive with laughter, clearly no worse for wear after their adventure in the woods. Satisfied, I turned and went back downstairs.

"What's the ruckus up there? I hope no one's getting murdered," Papa remarked as I returned.

"I think Enzo's going to need new pillows," I said.

"Are those brats seriously pillow-fighting like children?" Juana sneered, her face twisting with disgust.

"Yeah, just like kids," I confirmed, amused.

Then we saw the little terrors rush out of the house, bolting across the yard to play football.

"Just two more days of this," Papa sighed, watching them with weary acceptance.

"So annoying," Juana grumbled, rolling her eyes. Truthfully, I didn't find their antics all that bothersome.

"Maybe I should join them," I said, and before anyone could protest, I headed over to play some football with the boys. What's wrong with a little fun?

"I don't understand these men. They're so boring," I heard Juana scoff behind me. Boring? How on earth is this boring?

The boys lit up when I joined the game, and Enzo shouted for Manuel to join us too. Before long, a few of the bodyguards had joined in as well, and we spent the next couple of hours laughing, running, and completely losing ourselves in the game.

Enzo

My friends went back to their own homes after five days here. The house felt quiet, empty even, after all the energy they'd brought. Those were some good days—we talked a lot, grew closer, and shared laughs. Now, though, the silence felt heavier. On the bright side, I finally replaced my pillows and got my room cleaned up. It felt good to have everything in order; I hate it when my room's a mess or the bathroom is trashed.

"Finally, your stupid friends went back," Juana sneered as I came downstairs.

"At least I have friends who actually want to be here. Your friends barely tolerate you. Do you know why? Because they don't even like you. You're the one who always goes to them," I shot back with a laugh.

"Oh really? I'll prove you wrong. And I have way more friends than you," she snapped.

"But they're not real friends. You just bought them with money," I teased.

"I did not!" Juana yelled, her face twisting with anger.

"Enzo," Papa called, catching my eye as he came into the room.

I looked at him but said nothing.

"Don't ask to bring your friends here again. No more. Understood?" he said firmly.

"Okay," I replied quietly, feeling the familiar sting of hurt settle in. They don't like my friends either.

"I just don't like the noise," he added, as if that made it any better.

The truth is, the only noise he ever seems to enjoy is when I'm screaming in pain as he brings down his belt.

I dedicated my entire weekend to messaging and calling Mia. She was upset that I'd ignored her for those five days, and I couldn't wait to see her again on Monday. I missed her so much.