Antonio

Days drawn up to a day before our shipment had been stressful. We were all prepared for glitches in the system and issues with manpower, although none occurred. It was like waiting for a bomb to go off anytime.

The whole family has been on edge with every passing day. Ma's church visits have increased in the light of the D-day. Sofia and Valentina were her pillar of strength but with the passing days, even they were preoccupied. Val, especially has been looking after every single detail with a hawk's precision.

"Are you ready?" she called out from the door.

The Castros were landing back in today, a day prior to the deal. We, the gracious hosts were more than willing to take them around as a gesture of goodwill. Without their help, nothing would have been possible. Every ally count.

"Yes," I stood up, grabbing my coat. "After you, Valencita."

She blushed. Her hand wrapped around mine. A slight tilt of her body towards mine made me want to hold her inside the layers of my clothes, closest to me.

Over the span of a year, Valentina has turned from a stranger to a partner to what she was now, my life and the air I breathe. Before her, I was directionless, rolling in the wrath and heartbreak of a lost love. She came into my life, knocking off doors and windows I held shut for long. After two years of losing my first wife, my second one made me fall on my feet again for her.

"When do they arrive?" She looked at her watch before turning to me. We stood near the runway, awaiting their arrival. It was barely a few minutes past their landing schedule but Valentina already looked desperate.

I held her close to me, watching her eyes roam the length of the runway. "Hey," I tilted her face. "They will come. You tell me how are you feeling?"

She nodded, coiling her arms behind me. "I am fine. Nervous, but fine."

She breathed in the cold air and exhaled out the warm release onto my neck. Her hands roamed over my back with her taunting me with her comfortable moans.

"You want me to take you here?" I whispered to her. Her head encroached inside my coat, nuzzling her way into the last piece of clothing. "Val, we are not playing right now."

Chuckling, she placed butterfly kisses over my chest. In the middle of pleasant wind, Valentina's warm breath awoke the feeling of love inside me again.

The craft cruised past us and a while later, the Castro twins emerged with their over the top confidence that reeked through their faces.

Valentina moved forward, escorting them from the last step before their feet touched the ground. Damiela took her hand and moved her to a side. Their talks were muffled by the engine which was slowing to a halt. Dante held me up for an embrace, patting my back. I reciprocated. If there was a time and place to be good and nice, it was now.

Every ally count, reared back in my head.

Dropping them to the guest house, we went back to ours. The evenings would be when my brothers and I along with Valentina and Sofia would meet them for a night of fun. A pre-celebration of the success we all could almost taste.

During lunch, Maria stayed silent.

"What happened, mamá?" I asked.

Although she pressed a hard half smile to emerge on her face, the rest seemed to notice my words. Al, who sat opposite to me chucked, stuffing food into his mouth. Dad swat his hand across to silence him. But when Agustin was unable to hold onto his laughter, cracking up at the table, everyone roared.

I kept my gaze on my plate, holding the corner of the table. It vibrated under my touch with everyone in the family, including Maria laughing and steadying themselves over it.

"What is so funny?" I questioned. It made Agustin burst out even more. He gasped for breath, falling off his chair and into Valentina's lap who patted his head, silencing him. When I looked down at her, even her shoulders rose up and down like all others. "I am leaving."

"Wait," Maria called out. Wiping the corners of her eyes, she gulped some water. Agustin sat back on his chair, biting his knuckle to stifle a laugh. I tossed a dinner roll at him which he caught and dug into.

"Nobody make fun of my little Anto." Mother said and it only made everyone at the table burst out harder.

I knew at that moment, what I had missed for long. After Elena, out family gatherings reduced. Our breaking bread ritual broke and with my absence, Maria let everyone have their own ways. It wasn't until Val brought back the tradition, forcing us all together for a family lunch. It was only supposed to be a one day thing but it slowly revived old traditions.

Today, I realized how important my lifelines, my family was for me.

Val held my hand, nudging me back to the seat. Against my better judgment, I sat back amidst the family who laughed at me. Unlike all other days, I knew this part came from their love for me. I never wanted my brothers to fear me, although that was what the world believed. I wanted them to respect me at work and lean onto me for support.

I was asking for all that without giving back to them anything. It was now, with them by my side, showing me their unconditional devotion and loyalty that I knew, I too had to give them back the same. I too had to trust their instincts when they came up with plans for us.

For us to be strongholds again.

After a laughter filled lunch, we all retired to our workplace. One last time, Valentina and my brothers assembled in my study, going over the plan for tomorrow. It was followed with hours of discussions and deliberations.

"I think Mateo can handle security," Agustin confirmed. Val turned to him, pointing to a place on the blueprint of the shipping dock.

"We can't rely on just one. We need all hands on deck," she said.

Both of them looked at me for answer. I scanned the blue outlines with my eyes, contemplating any wrong move that can jeopardize our plan.

"Fine, get more men, Val." I pointed to Agustin. "His men."

"What about me?" Alejandro raised his hand like a school kid, asking for permission.

"You will take care of the consignment, all of it." I sat beside him, patting his leg. "It's the biggest and I want you to take it all under your control."

"But," Valentina interjected. I held my hand up.

"It's decided, Val." I said, giving her my signal nod. "He will be in charge."

"What about you?" She leaned towards me, her eyes matched mine, unblinking. A part inside me stirred, unwilling to accept the nervousness that arouse.

"I will be with you. The onlookers for everything alongwith the Castros." Upon my words, her face fell. She leaned back, simply nodding in affirmation. Although doubts encircled like sharks, I drove them back.

My Val would tell me everything. She wouldn't hide anything.

Without any further word, the meeting was concluded.

Towards evening I was the one to be dressed first, awaiting everyone's arrival at the bar. Val walked in first with Sofia. Their hands intertwines like high school girls who sought company all the time. They walk has a certain hop to it and their giggle were loud for me to turn around. Al and Agustin closely followed them.

Valentina's whiskey order matched mine. Leaning her body to mine, she toasted drink for all and placed her glass back. The Castros arrived moments later. Their eyes darted towards the newbie- Sofia.

"Meet Sofia Salazar, my sister." I said, introducing the bubbling with energy girl. Both the twins shook her hand before scouring the place.

Sofia turned to me. With a gentle touch and a handhold, she leaned closer, mouthing a 'Thank you.'

It was the least I could do, given what she meant to us now. With the marriage on the horizon, I had seen the Salazars' in a new light. My assumption, of them being madmen was wrong. Sofia was a living example of a lotus grown in clog.

With the night that proceeded, dancing and drinking, music and singing, I felt the much needed calm. Although the day arriving tomorrow would have its own pressure and the most important one in our lives, I knew that I was surrounded by a family of people who loved and cherished me.

A family who would catch a bullet for me, if a need ever arose.

Wouldn't they? 

~

Hold onto your horses guys, the drama is about to unravel. 

Also, have you checked out 

Paint me Saved

Its completed and I am giving it final touches for the Wattys, so I hope you all check it out and let me know your thoughts. 

Hope to see you there too :)