Unspoken

Chapter 26

Cici’s POV

Free at last!

The nurse and doctors took their time discharging me.  Apparently it was hospital procedure to keep patients in the hospital for at least 48 hours after they wake up from a coma, which is what they thought was wrong with me.  After Mateo, Joel and I threw fits and got the pack doctor to call and explain about the poisoning, they reviewed my blood work and made me sign a ton of consent forms as well a very long document basically promising if I drop dead any time soon, no one in my family will hold the hospital responsible.

Mateo and I are driving back home as we speak.  Joel took Tia home and then went to gather the pack to go after Angel.  I know Mateo wished he could be there but when I suggested he go and I could get a ride with Tia, he just looked at me with a look my father used to give me.  My new husband ordered me to rest on the drive home so here I am lost in my own thoughts.  I am worried about Joel and the others but I know that three wolves are not going to give the 30 or so pack members that went with Joel any problems.

I glance at Mateo and sigh contentedly.  I am away from Angel.  Joel and the others will be back sometime tomorrow with either three prisoners or three less wolves in the world.  Tia and Joel have obviously begun a relationship as I could smell Joel’s scent all over Tia.

As Mateo pulls up in front of the house, I reach for his hand and shiver as the electricity shocks me at the contact.  Oh, that feels good.

Mateo pulls the car into the garage and turns off the engine.  He squeezes my hand slightly and then he gets out of the car.  I smile and start to reach for the door but it is jerked open before I can blink.  I squeak in surprise as a small body jumps into my lap and clings to me.  I smile and wrap my arms around the familiar boy.

“I’m ok, Roberto, promise.  Did you miss me?” I chuckle and look up at Mateo as he stands holding the open car door, smiling down at us.

“I missed you so much, Cici.  I was so worried I wouldn’t ever see you again.” I heard Roberto’s muffled response as I realized I could feel his hot breath on my neck and a wet spot was spreading across the collar of my shirt.

“Oh, Roberto, don’t cry honey,  I’m fine.  Shh now.” I sooth as I rub my hands up and down his back.  Mateo reaches towards Roberto but I just shake my head slightly at him.  He smiles and reaches into the car.  To my surprise he picks both of us up and carries us towards the house.  I smile and continue to whisper calm soothing words to Roberto.  I don’t even know what I am saying, I just know that this little ancient boy needs me right now.

Mateo walks us into the house and doesn’t stop until we reach our room.  He sets us down on the bed and then pats Roberto on the head.  Roberto nods and sniffs the leans back.  His eyes are red and puffy from crying, his nose is a little runny but his eyes are what catch my attention.  He won’t make eye contact with me.  I grab his chin lightly and tilt his head to look at me.  I stare into his down turned eyes until he reluctantly turns his eyes to mine.

“What is this about?” I ask him quietly.  Guilt.  He feels guilty.  “Roberto, why do feel guilty honey?”

“Because I didn’t protect you, Cici.  Mateo trusted me to protect you and I failed.  Just like my parents, I didn’t protect any of you.  I don’t deserve to be your friend.  I asked Mateo to send me to another pack but he said I had to talk to…”

“What?  Roberto, you listen to me right now.  I don’t know what happened to your parents, but what happened to me was no one’s fault but Angel, Roger and Becky.  You didn’t know, honey.  No one did.  Not Mateo, or Joel, or my parents.  How could you know?”