The guards nodded and grabbed Axis and Axalia.
After his conversationwith General Escobar, Miguel changed his clothes and joined the soccer game, running alongside Julia, who now wore jeans and a T-shirt. He’d played soccer in high school, so it felt good to be enjoying the game again. When the kids realized Miguel had skills, they elected him and Julia as captains, who picked their teams. They were evenly matched, and after two rousing games, they tied their score.
With the sun now high in the sky, it grew warm, and everyone headed inside for a siesta. Miguel and Julia held hands as they strolled back to their rooms. They paused often to kiss and paid no mind to anyone who saw them. In Miguel’s room, they found cold bottles of water, sweet breads, and fruit and cheese sitting on a small table beneath the windows. Miguel pulled out a wrought iron chair for Julia and dropped a kiss on the nape of her neck.
As he helped himself to a handful of grapes, slices of mango, and chunks of sharp cheddar cheese, Miguel remarked, “It’s hard to believe we’re in the middle of General Escobar’s drug cartel. Is it possible his reputation has been exaggerated?”
“Maybe. Like you, I’m struggling to reconcile the man with the myth.” She swallowed a few sips of the cold water. “What did he say to you?”
“He realizes Axis and Axalia pose a real threat, and he’s willing to do what’s necessary to protect us. You, because he loves you, and me, because you love me.” Miguel offered a tender smile and lifted her hand to press a kiss against her palm.
“I do. Love you beyond reason.” She leaned toward him and took his mouth in a deep kiss. “What else did he say?”
“Not much. Jules, I haven’t had a chance to tell you this, but I asked Juan to shoot Axis and Axalia if it comes to that. He blabbed to the General, but your grandfather agreed. After our conversation, he went to speak with the Andersons.” Miguel stood and held out his hand. “Let’s ask him what happened.”
Julia had half-risen from her chair when a brisk knock sounded on the door, and someone pushed it open. General Escobar himself stepped across the threshold. The door clicked shut behind him.
“Sir, we were just on our way to find you.”
“I thought you’d be curious about my meeting with Axis and Axalia.”
Miguel and Julia perched on the bed, and General Escobar sat in a chair facing them. “Julia, you were right. They wanted me to use my resources to organize a revolution their parents began. I said no, for obvious reasons.”
Miguel reached for Julia’s hand. “It didn’t work four years ago, and it wouldn’t work now.”
He nodded. “I told them about the fight to the death, and they agreed to it.” General Escobar paused and addressed Miguel. “Have you told her yet?”
“Yes, sir. Just a few minutes ago.”
“They won’t survive. But there mustn’t be any doubt in anyone’s mind that their deaths were due to anything other than self-defense. Especially yours.” He gazed at them. To their surprise, tears glistened in his eyes. “What a beautiful couple you are. Brave. Noble. Loyal. Determined to serve humanity. Julia, the Washburns must be so proud of you. And your father…God rest his soul.” He crossed himself. “The same must be true of your parents, Miguel. Are they still alive?”
“Yes.”
His short answer caused the General to smile. “I understand your distrust of me and am not offended by it. I hope to soonprove that I am trustworthy.” He rose and replaced the chair at the table. “Rest. We will feast in a few hours and celebrate your…somewhat unusual homecoming, Julia.”
She let out a small laugh. “Gramps, who knew you had a sense of humor?”
“I can be quite humorous.”
When he left them alone, Miguel muttered, “Hard to believe.”
Julia whispered, “Shh.”
She slid her hands beneath his shirt and lifted it over his head. She unbuttoned his jeans and pulled down the zipper. She pushed them off his hips along with his boxers. He sprang free, as hard as a rock.
“Lie on the bed,” Julia ordered. She stripped and straddled him. “Plenty of sex today. Abstain tomorrow.”
Miguel reared up and latched onto a nipple, drawing it into his mouth. He gripped her hips as she rode him. She wrapped her arms around his head and encouraged him to take her as hard and fast as he once promised her.
He complied, and they exploded together, bodies convulsing, hearts pounding, panting. Afterward, Julia slid off him. She nestled against him, and they napped.
Activity in the courtyard awakened them awhile later. Miguel and Julia shared a quickie before she went to her room to shower and change. Whistling, Miguel headed into the bathroom. He bathed and washed his hair. His scruff was beginning to grow on him, especially when Julia admitted she liked its roughness against her skin. From the clothes Juan brought earlier, he chose black denim pants, a white ribbed-knit sweater, and a black pair of boots. He slicked back his wet hair, and thinking he could be of help to the preparations in the courtyard, he walked across the hall and knocked on Julia’s door.
“Don’t come in!” she called.
He smiled. “It’s me, Jules. I’m heading out to the courtyard.”
“Okay! I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes.”
