Miguel smiled. He detected Justice’s capitulation in his voice. “That’s exactly what Finn said, word for word. And I’ll tell you what I told him. I’m taking it very seriously. Besides, Justice, it’s Julia’s idea.”
“And I’m just as concerned for her as I am for you.” He let out a sigh. “All right, River. You have my support and my blessing.However, there’s no need to rush into it. You and Julia taught General Escobar a powerful lesson.”
This time Miguel chuckled. “Yeah, Finn said that, too.”
“Air Force One is getting ready to land in Alabama. Please keep me in the loop.”
“You know I will.”
“I only want what’s best for you, River. Your happiness is important to me.”
A lump formed in Miguel’s throat. “Yeah, I know, Chief.”
After they bid each other goodbye and ended the call, Miguel stripped in the bathroom and examined his gunshot wound. It looked good. No sign of infection. The staples needed to be removed, though. He’d take care of that on Monday at the hospital. He hoped to be fully recovered from Covid by then. Damn. Weakness had begun to creep over him. He pulled on a pair of cotton sleep pants and a T-shirt and stretched out on his bed. Although his mind whirled with fleeting thoughts and images, his eyes closed of their own accord.
But perhaps for a minute or two. A soft knock on his bedroom door propelled Miguel out of bed. He ran a hand through his hair and opened the door. Julia stood there, gazing at him with soulful brown eyes. Sadness and regret shone in their depths. Miguel’s heart wrenched with sudden disappointment. She’d changed her mind.
“Come in.”
She swept past him, and he closed the door.
“I owe you an apology, Miguel,” Julia began in a rush. “I never should have suggested that you?—”
Miguel pressed his finger against her sinfully delicious mouth. He would have preferred to kiss her into silence. “I agreed. Don’t apologize.”
“My mother is less than enthusiastic about our plan.”
“Understandable.”
“Is that all you’re going to say?”
“Yes.”
A ghost of a smile crossed her beautiful face. “Are we back to your monosyllabic answers?”
“If I had my way, we’d be kissing right now. I’d kiss away your doubt. Your apology. Most of all, I’d kiss away your tears.”
Amazement replaced her earlier sadness and regret. “Miguel Rivera, you are the most incredible man I’ve ever met. I will honor our promise. And even after we take down General Escobar and the Andersons?—”
“I won’t forsake you, Julia. I swear the promise we make won’t be fake. It’ll be real.” He took her hand and pressed her palm against his rapid heartbeat. “As real as my heart pounding from being this close to you.”
“Miguel,” she whispered in wonder. The same wonder that was coursing through his veins.
He dropped her hand and stepped back a few feet. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m liable to embarrass myself by attempting to make love to you when I don’t have the stamina. Fucking Covid. Pardon my language.”
Her eyes widened a moment before she burst into laughter. “You’re entitled. I’d better sleep in my own room tonight.”
Miguel nodded. “Good idea, though I’ll miss you. By the way, while I appreciate Brielle’s hospitality, I want to go home tomorrow. I have a small house a couple of miles inland from the beach. It’s actually pretty close to Owen’s old house.”
“Um…am I invited?”
He noticed Julia only used the wordumwhenever she was nervous around him. “Hell yes, you’re invited.”
“Okay, great.” Relief flooded her voice. “Good night, Miguel. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Jules.”
Miguel slid back into bed and propped himself against the headboard. When his cell phone screen lit up, he saw a flurry of text messages from his friends in a group chat. Jesus. He should have anticipated that he’d hear from them.
