Falling With Grace

“No.” He shook his head, turned to the dinging microwave, tested the food with his finger, and then placed it in front of me along with a fork. “It’s hot.”

“Oh.” Inodded. “I wanted to thank her for the…” I grabbed my fork. “You know…” I shrugged and shoveled a steaming bite into my mouth, the awkward tension threatening to swallow me whole.

Fire licked across my tongue and the roof of my mouth. “Hot.” I fanned my open mouth, exhaling steam as though I were a dragon, and rotated the burning bite of food around my mouth, my butt bouncing off the chair in an attempt to cope with the unexpected heat.

“Here.” Elias poured me a glass of cold juice and slid it across the counter. “I said it was hot.”

I chugged the juice, putting out the fiery inferno in my mouth, and swallowed the food. “My taste buds will grow back, eventually.”

He raised a brow as I held my cup out. He refilled it, and I took another slow drink, holding the cold liquid in my mouth, and then swallowed.

Silence wove its web between us as he leaned on the counter, arms crossed over his chest.

“What was it you wanted to discuss?” I probed the sore spot with my tongue.

“We need to discuss the incident with Dr. Navarro.”

I let my fork clatter onto the plate, though the chances of me finishing that bite dwindled. Glancing at him, I huffed. “You’re talking about the guy who’s practically hailed as a hero by Andrés’ fan club? That Dr. Navarro?”

“I would have never brought him into my home if I didn’t trust him implicitly.”

“They said the same thing.”

“He’s a doctor.” He scrubbed his hand down his shaved chin. “He treats a variety of people. Does that mean I shouldn’t trust him?”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “You are surrounded by enemies. I thought maybe you’d be a little more leery of the people you allow into your inner circle.” My gaze lingered on him, tracing his well-defined forearms, the cotton shirt clinging to his form, and the unassuming steel belt buckle at his waist.

He guffawed. “What is with you women and assuming you know the intricate workings of my business?”

“I don’t presume to know anything about it.” I shrugged, my hand searching for the familiar beads in my pocket. “But… never mind.” My finger touched the plastic bead. “I just… I don’t trust him.”

He gave aslight head nod, his gaze moving over my face. “I appreciate your honesty.” He took a deep breath and stood, his hands resting on the counter. “I’d like to know more about the couple he colluded with.”

I sighed.

Would this put them at risk?

After everything he’s doneforme, I can give himsomething.

My eyes burned and prickled. “I uh…” I rubbed my sweaty palm against my jeans. “I told you before I escaped with a group of people, but Miguel and his men found us.” I squeezed my eyes closed and inhaled through my nose.

“It’s okay.” His warm hand patted mine, then recoiled back to his side of the counter. “Why don’t you start with the couple who found you.”

I nodded, my throat tight, and took a gulp before releasing a shaky breath. “Well, I managed to dislocate my shoulder in the fall and thought I was going to drown in the river.” Leaning back in my seat, I rubbed my shoulder with a jittery laugh. “And, you know, when I somehow made it to the shore, I thought I’d try to reset my shoulder.” The haunting images swarmed me, clouding my vision. “Didn’t turn out to be the genius move I’d hoped for. Passed out, and when I came to, there she was.” I bit down on my inner cheek. “She’s the one who told me about him.”

“So he helped you?”

“Yeah, but the couple who contacted him had ties with Andrés. If I hadn’t eavesdropped on that guy’s phone call, they’d have hauled me straight back to him.”

“So the couple made the call, not Dr. Navarro?”

“Yes, but—”

“So he didn’t have anything to do with Andrés’ men coming for you. It was the couple.”

“Well, yes, but—”

“So it would be safe to say he wasn’t involved. Correct?”