slim-cut, it’s hard to look menacing in a parka. But it’s either that or I freeze.
“Where’s the tree?” Luisa says.
I turn to see her standing in the middle of the grand hall, facing the cathedral window.
“The tree?”
She gives me a look like I’m the crazy one. “Yes. The Christmas tree. You promised me we’d have a Christmas tree. With presents under it. And decorations.”
Fuck. Did I?
I blink, trying to think back to when we agreed to this whole Christmas trip and, honestly, I don’t think I remember promising anything? I mean I should know, I don’t break my promises.
“Are you sure?” I ask her. I don’t want to push back at her, but she’s got an edge to her voice and her eyes are a little cagey. The only thing protecting me from her is the fact that she has Vicente bundled in her arms.
She gives me a glare that makes my balls shrivel. “I am sure.”
I shrug. “I don’t know what you want me to do, Luisa. I could go cut down a fucking tree if you want.”
Her brows snap up. “Why are you taking that tone with me? This was something I asked you to do and you promised.”
“Well, we’re here,” I gesture wildly to the cavernous place. “We took the trip. Nearly got fucking killed on the way up. You have your mountain cabin now, with a chance of snow. Don’t tell me I didn’t give you what you asked for.”
“What I asked for, Javier,” she says to me, coming right over and getting in my face. I glance down at Vicente who is staring up at me, and if I’m not mistaken, he looks disappointed in me too. “Was for you to pay attention to me. To pay attention to what I was saying. You never do. All you think about is work.”
I place my hands over Vicente’s ears. “I run a fucking cartel, you crazy woman!” I yell at her. “I have to think about work or we die! We’ve learned this the hard way.”
“And you’d think that would have been enough to have you turn around and realize what’s important.”
“My god, why are we fighting about this?” I glance around me, and Evaristo, Diego and all the heavy men suddenly look away, pretending that they aren’t listening. Assholes. I should kill them all.
“Because you don’t listen! You don’t listen to what I’m really saying. This isn’t just a matter of Christmas. It’s not about me asking you to do something. It’s about you wanting to. It’s about finding a tiny sliver of selflessness inside you, the part of you that thinks about other people. I thought, maybe, you would have done these things because it’s Christmas and it’s a nice thing to do.” She pauses, licking her lips. “But maybe that’s on me. Maybe I shouldn’t have my expectations so high when it comes to you. I know who you are. I knew that when I married you.”
I don’t want her words to hurt, but they do. Oh, they fucking do. But I manage to bury that, to keep my face impassive, my voice mild. “I did what you asked. If you wish to be mad at me over that, then that’s on you. You never said anything about a tree or presents or decorations. I’ve never been a mind reader, and I’m not about to start.”
“Don’t you see, Javi?” she says to me with disgust, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t have to bring it up.”
My hands fall away from Vicente’s ears and Luisa stalks off. “I’m going to have my own bedroom, with our son,” she says, going up the stairs at the end of the hall. “You can sleep alone tonight.”
Fucking hell.
I look back at the guys and they’re still pretending to do other shit.
“Evaristo,” I bark, and he comes over to me. Still trying not to smile. “I’m going to need Christmas presents.”
He frowns. “You didn’t buy Christmas presents? I would have thought you brought them with you.”
“Well, you thought wrong,” I grumble, feeling like an ass. “I was busy.”
“Jaiver, I’m not sure I should be buying presents for your wife. That feels like something you ought to be doing. Just tell me what she wants, and I’ll have one of the men get it from Monterrey.”
“Oh come on, I don’t know. Just get something.”
Evaristo gives me a look I don’t appreciate. It’s the look that says I’m a sorry mess of a husband. “You have a think about it overnight