Falling With Grace

“If you loved me, you wouldn’t say these things.”

“Love?” I scratched the scruff on my chin. “Who said anything about love?”

“What?” Her mouth dropped as she gasped in a ragged breath, her hand covering her mouth, her eyes wide. “Have I not given you everything you’ve asked for?”

“This is getting awkward.” Javier walked away toward the bar, catching Nadia’s wrathful glare.

“It’s because of her. Isn’t it?” She tossed her hands into the air. “Everything was fine until she came along.” She stalked around me and through the double doors, her clicking heels bounding down the hall.

“Where are you going?” I yanked her back.

Her hand flew into the air towards my face.

I caught her wrist as her fingertips brushed my cheek. “You know better than to raise a hand to me, Nadia.” I released her with a slight shove, and she stumbled back.

“I’ve been so good to you.” Her voice carried through the halls and the hollow space leading upstairs towards Grace. “Then she comes around and destroys everything.”

“She’s not the reason for any of this.” My teeth ground together. “And keep your voice down.”

“Or what? We’ll wake your precious mama?”

I tipped my chin, charged forward, and snagged her arm. “Rafael.” Her heels slipped across the floor as I dragged her towards the front door.

Rafael opened the door. “Yes, Jefe.”

“Drive her back to her apartment and make sure she never returns.”

“Elias. Please. Wait, baby. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m-I’m just angry.”

I walked her to the vehicle I provided and set her inside. “Goodbye, Nadia.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared up at me.

“Elias—”

I slammed the car door in her face, her screams muffled by the bulletproof glass.

“If she tries to return, let me know.”

Rafael nodded, tossed the keys to Pablo, Nadia’s driver, and climbed into the passenger seat.

I stood in the driveway until the car disappeared through the gates, and they closed.

Javier’s boots clomped behind me. “That seemed a bit harsh.”

“It was time.”

“Yeah, well, she won’t give up.”

“I couldn’t care less how long she holds on to a dream. We’re done.”

Spinning on my heel, I walked back inside.

“Admit it, though. Grace was the deciding factor.”

Was it?

Nadia hit the final nerve, and it happened to be when Grace was around.

“No one talks about Mamá like that.”