Glass Hearts

Chapter Seven

Nestor watched as Ruby struggled with her words, how she refused to look at him. He could handle torturing all kinds of people to extract information from them, but he could feel guilt rise into his chest like acid for lying to the redheaded woman before him. His thoughts were starting to cloud and the once sure man was beginning to doubt the choice he had made. Yet it was also too late to turn back, for here Ruby was telling of her past life.

"When I left for college, I vowed to myself to never go back." Laughing slightly at that statement Ruby finally looked Nestor in the eyes. "Forever and never are two short words that represent a significant amount of time in one's life. Any who I broke that promise, ended up returning home when Abel was born and stayed through six years of hell before finally leaving. Probably the only people from that life I keep in contact with are of course my mother, and Happy. Though the latter of the two is more spiritic than consistent." Ruby took a deep breath and looked out the window beside her. It wasn't everything but how was one supposed to expose themselves and all the trauma they endured?

Moments that felt like hours past before one of the two finally broke the silence. "If that life was so difficult, why did you choose to work for the Galindos? Surely you knew what kind of world you were getting yourself into?" Nestor probed.

"Maybe I am just glutton for punishment." Ruby slightly laughed. "I promise none of my old connections would have been a part of what happened. It's been at least four years since I left and all of those bridges were burnt." The redhead got serious again, finally looking at Nestor with pleading eyes. "Nestor, I swear on my life that my past life has nothing to do with Cristobal's kidnapping. I want him found just as much as you." Boldly Ruby reached her hand across the table gently taking the man's hand in front of her. "Please believe me."

The man, in the cartel world known as a mercenary was melting at the simple gesture of holding a woman's hand. Not just any woman, but again he has to remember his position as head of security for the Galindos. Clearing his throat, Nestor removed his hand from Ruby's. "I believe you, just had to confirm and get the story from you. Instead of assuming."

Nestor watched Ruby, how she moved her hand back to her coffee, how the redhead fidgeted with the position of her cup. All he wanted was to reach across the table and hold her hand again. 'What is this woman doing to me?' Nestor thought to himself before looking in Ruby's eyes. The mercenary knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was telling the truth. Even though he did not know her as he wished, Nestor knew she wouldn't lie. What he was itching to know most was her actual relationship with the rough biker.

"How are things at the house? How is Emily?" Ruby so desperately wanted to change the topic. Her heart sank the moment Nestor pulled his hand away, avoiding his gaze and feeling foolish. 'What was I thinking, he probably saw the way Happy kissed me and wants nothing to do with that.' Ruby berated herself for being so bold. She was actually so wrapped up in her own thoughts, she completely missed what Nestor had said.

"Ruby?" Nestor finally stopped talking about the family he and the redheaded woman worked for. The mercenary took notice in the absence of joy in the woman's eyes. This time he was the one to slightly touch the other's hand. Almost instantly Ruby was pulled from her trance and looked at the man before her.

"I'm sorry, I zoned out. Do you mind repeating? Promise I'll pay attention this time." Ruby admitted sheepishly.

"I was just saying how Emily is doing the best that she can with the situation. It's interesting to watch though because she has been more invested in the family business than ever. Are you okay though? I know our conversation about your past must have been difficult but you seem even more out of it than before." Nestor examined Ruby, her eyes were dark and normally that was the only place he would find light.

"Yeah. It's just that talking about everything is practically dejavu, old demons coming back to haunt. I'll be fine I promise." Ruby smiled but Nestor could see right through it. "Are you doing okay Nestor? We've been talking about me and my past but haven't even discussed how you are handling the chaos back home."

She was deflecting, her heart was genuine but he also knew she was deflecting. "I have been alright. Just trying to keep everyone safe, get Cristobal back, and keep Miguel sane." Laughing slightly at the last half of the sentence Nestor continued. "The latter of those though is probably the most difficult."

The small redhead tilted her head to the side observing the man before her, his walls were slowly coming down. His face became softer as he spoke of those he held near to his heart. Ruby saw similarities between the two but they were also vastly different from one another. Both were rough around the edges, with glass hearts surrounded by barbed wire to protect it, though their exterior is sharp, the heart was soft. It is fragile that has been calloused by this world and they have learned to protect it the best way they could. Ruby noticed how they were different from each other as well though. How Happy was always rigid, even around his club. Yet Nestor was a lot more relaxed around the Galindos. Although Nestor would be on high alert while out, when home he was a lot more relaxed.

"Nestor, how did you join Galindo's security team?" Ruby finally spoke after an extended pause.

"Miguel and I grew up together, we were practically brothers. Once we graduated high school I joined the Navy and Miguel left for college. Although we knew he was going to take over the family business someday. When my time in the military was up Mr. Galindo reached out for me to join the security team, then once Miguel took over I was promoted." Nestor paused for only a moment before starting up another conversation.

This went on for sometime, the two having conversations about how they grew up, likes and dislikes. For the first time in the time spent working together they were genuinely getting to know one another on a personal level. It was Nestor's phone ringing that interrupted the two talking. One of the men from the Galindo security team called and by the expression on Nestor's face their time was up.