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CHAPTER 91
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Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 92
AlexNo one in their right mind enjoys funerals and least of all me. Watching Celina suffer with her father’s loss won’t be easy. She sounded so incredibly sad when I spoke to her by phone, and it’s hard not having her close and wrapping my arms around her. With my lack of sleep, I’m pathetic over wanting her near me. I’ve lived with the images for so long that they’ve become part of me. Now, I know what it’s like to sleep soundly. Yes… pathetic.I’ll be attending another funeral as soon as Manuel’s body is in Arizona. As of now, it’s unknown how long the Antigua authorities will keep it. Murder is a rare occurrence there and the government isn’t happy. Moon’s lawyer spoke to an investigator for two hours last night. He told them Manuel was in Antigua to offer protection to Ms. Danita Moon because she is Moon’s beloved aunt. Now she’s missing and her bodyguard dead.The attorney proceeded to throw incriminations back on the investigator and told him Ms. Moon retired to Antigua because
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 93
CelinaAlex’s entire body goes taut. I shouldn’t have brought him in the car with me. It was selfish to want him close. Of course my mother would ask prying questions. She’s a mother and I should have considered what this car ride would entail. She has a captive audience. Alex and I don’t have a relationship beyond the physical. I know nothing about his family other than what he’s told me about Madison and Moon, which is very little.I place my hand on his and offer a silent apology. His fingers squeeze back and then he tells my mother about his parents. “They’re dead. My father died about eight years ago and my mother when I was a young boy.”My mother leans over me and takes his free hand. “You poor dear. To lose them both is awful, but to lose your mother when you were young is beyond painful. Do you have any siblings?”I fight a groan and have no idea how to shut my mother up.“A sister. She has two children; a boy and a girl. She lives out of state and I don’t see her. Madison an
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 94
AlexWe received news this morning that the guns were delivered to our connection in Mexico. Corbin kept his word. With the added stress over the past few days, the unwanted images continue to play in my head. I’ve worked out, meditated, and worked out again. Yesterday with Celina helped more than all the cardio and weights combined. She’s my temporary cure. The picture of my father came out of nowhere. It’s happened before and caused problems. Moon extricated me from one very bad situation. I think he’s known for years that I hide something deeper behind an easy smile or a joke. I refuse to discuss it with him. He’ll think I’m insane. Hell, I most likely am. There’s been no word on Danita and our frustration builds. She’s gone to ground and I know she couldn’t do it without help. We also don’t have a date on the return of Manuel’s body. The Feds had a sit-down with Moon and his attorney yesterday afternoon. Moon said nothing and let his attorney speak for him. The last thing we nee
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 95
CelinaI find my mother in the theater room having popcorn and watching a movie with Kiley. My niece is snuggled up against her. My mom picks up popcorn and holds it over Kiley’s hand until the little fingers uncurl. Such a small thing, but Kiley is responding.They’re watching an animated movie that I remember from when I was young. I walk in and sit beside Kiley and share some popcorn. She scoots closer to my mother and another small piece of my heart breaks. She makes headway with everyone but me and I have no clue why. It sounds ridiculous, but is there something in her that senses I never wanted children? That’s completely untrue now. I watch the movie and ignore my guilt. Alex is making phone calls. My mom smiles at me over the top of Kiley’s head and I see tears in her eyes. For her, Kiley is a small piece of heaven. This will work out and I need patience more than anything.The movie ends thirty minutes later and Kiley has fallen asleep. “She’s precious,” my mother says quietl
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 96
CelinaMy gaze jerks to the woman. Her eyes are open and lifeless. Gabriella walks over to me as I stand and use the wall for support. “I will take care of your mother, Señorita. Attend your man.”Gabriella is crying. I look between her and my mom, whose expression is panicked. She has a struggling Kiley in a death grip. “Mom, go with Gabriella. Alex needs me.” Some of the shock leaves my mom’s face and she nods. I don’t watch the women leave because my focus is on Alex.I sink to my knees beside him. “Hold this here and use as much pressure as you can. We need to get him into the other room where we have supplies,” the man who removed his jacket says. I press down on Alex’s chest as told.Another man enters the house. “We’re clear. The house is secure.” He looks at Alex and the woman. “Danita must have snuck into the car with Gabriella. Dr. Santos is on his way. He said to call an ambulance if we can’t wait for him.”The man beside me speaks again. “We’re moving him to the other room
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 97
Celina“I don’t suppose anyone has sterilized their hands,” Dr. Santos says while shaking his head and offering me a tight smile. He slips on gloves and then moves in beside me to check the chest wound. If I thought Cal was calm, he has nothing on Dr. Santos. The man goes about his exam in slow motion. He checks Alex’s eyes and his fingers. He adjusts the oxygen level and then moves down to the chest wound. He asks Cal questions and seems confident in what Cal has done so far.After checking Alex’s leg, he walks to the black bag he sat down when he entered and removes items. He methodically places them on the counter beside everything else that’s taking up room. He fills a hypodermic needle and administers the medicine to the IV line.The doctor nods in my direction. “I need to remove the bullet. You can stay or go, but if you pass out, you’re on your own.” He’s in full doctor mode and the gentle man who examined Kiley is gone.“I’ll stay,” I tell him. “Am I in your way?”“Stand at hi
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 98
AlexI’m in pain. My entire chest and my fucking leg hurt. My eyes are blurry. A warm hand settles on my shoulder and I blink a few times so I can see Moon’s face. He looks concerned as I attempt to place bits and pieces together in my brain.“Celina,” I say in a throaty voice that doesn’t sound like mine.“She’s fine. So is Kiley and Mrs. Thomas. Celina will be back in here shortly and she’ll be relieved that you’re awake.”“How long has it been?” I try to lift my arm, but it hurts my chest too badly.“Two days since you were shot.”“Fuck.” I close my eyes and try to remember what happened. “Danita?”“Dead.”“Is anyone else injured? Gabriella?”“No, just you.”I close my eyes and the slideshow plays in my head. Each scene one I never want to relive. Celina’s huge eyes when she grabs Kiley from me. Going to my knee after Danita shot me in the leg. Trying to cover Celina and her niece. The fury in Gabriella’s eyes. The smoke that filled the hallway.No, never again.“How did she get in
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 99
Two months later: Celina The kids are playing in the backyard on the swing set. My mother and I now have a house of our own, but right now, I’m sitting in Theresa’s kitchen enjoying hot tea. It’s September and Oregon is feeling a touch of autumn. Theresa assures me it will warm up a bit before the weather completely changes. It’s different here. Four seasons to the two we get in the desert. I’ll adjust, or at least I will if I ever warm up.I’ve grown to love Theresa and her husband, Salvador. Also their two children, Daniella and Emilio. The children have been wonderful for Kiley. She’s still quiet, but her smiles and laughter come much easier. My mom bought her a tiny black and white kitten. Kitsy Kitsy sleeps with Kiley each night and the two of them are practically inseparable. When Kiley can’t take the cat with her, she brings her doll Mary. I’ve told her about Dax and I make sure she knows that Dax cares about her and that he’s the reason she’s in our lives.Kiley is still shy
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