Devotion (3) ✔

13 - Mariana

Santiago had spent every waking minute of last week with his little sister. Even though they were first cousins, they were as close as real brother and sister. Santiago saw her as his daughter due to the age difference. Every time he spoke about her, he always had a smile on his face. A boyish smile that reached his eyes, crinkling crow's feet around them.

Two days ago, I watched him talk to Lucia on the phone while he got ready in the morning. White dress shirt, black slacks and black socks. He was putting on his black Italian leather dress shoes on while he chatted about nonsense with her.

Argued about the best burger in town, movies, cities anything and everything. The smile never dropped from his lips. Especially when she was talking. He absorbed every word from her like scripture. I couldn't help but smile along with him even though I didn't know what she was saying.

Hearing her voice again, seeing her alive again was a miracle to him. To anyone. I'd give my own life if it meant I'd be able to speak my family again, even if it was only for five minutes but now he has Lucia forever.

He was not going to waste any time staying away from her. I knew I wouldn't.

Santiago's sister had his eyes, his hair and frown. Granted, her eyes were big and his was weighed down by years of frowns, their colours were exactly the same. And for that exact reason, I couldn't help but care for her. My heart tugged at the thought of the brutality she faced over the years. It drove Santiago crazy not knowing the exact details. I doubt he'd be able to handle the truth. Because if she suffered through what I did, Santiago would never forgive himself.

That's why Gabe and her were completely tight lipped about it.

The more time I spent with her, the more I realised why she had Santiago wrapped around her little finger. She was a firecracker, who'd do anything to protect her own. I couldn't help but adore her and treat her like a little sister I never had.

I knew Alberto was coming from Mexico, he didn't know about his own child being alive yet. Santiago was respecting Lucia's wishes but Santiago had managed to convince him to come to LA.

The front door opened, the security alarm beeped. I paused, setting the glass of red wine down on the glass table outside, I tore my gaze away from the view of the city that lay beneath the hill we lived on. It was a gloomy afternoon and I was waiting for the first drop of water from the sky. It's been a long time since mother nature had graced the city with it's blessings.

I loved the rain. Maybe once this was all over, I'd get Santiago to take me to a country where thunder storms were common. I missed hearing the sky growl. I missed seeing the flash of lighting before hearing the sound.

Stepping inside, I paused mid step when my eyes met Santiago's. A surprised smile stretched across my lips as I hurried towards him. Happy he'd come home early. He looked dashing as ever in his navy suit and grey silk shirt. I wondered if we were going out again tonight to visit Lucia and her boyfriend. Santiago smiled. A smile that reached his eyes. Butterflies erupted in my stomach. He caught me in his arms, lifted me to his lips as usual.

"You're happy to see me." He murmured between kisses.

"Always." I kissed him back, hands messing up his sleek hair.

"You always know what to say, mi alma." (my soul) He wrapped my legs around his waist. Breathing him in, I peppered kissed on his face. I missed him, intimately. It's not as if we weren't having sex. We were having sex every day and night but it's been a while since we'd just stayed home doing nothing but eating and having all kids of sex.

Excitement fluttered in my stomach.

"Is everything okay?" I pulled back to look at him, wondering what was going on. Why was he home early on a Friday night?