Chapter 1
Chapter 1
:Susana
“Hey mama” my eyes flickered over to Nando as he strolled up his eyes ran over me as he grinned. Nando was a tall thin built man with dark black hair, his tanned skin was covered in black ink from the neck down the classic Chicano styles peaked out from the neck of his shirt , he wore a black button down and vest with black slacks and expensive dress shoes. “looking good”
Like always Nando dripped sex appeal, everything was fitted perfectly to him hugging his body for all to appreciate.
I cracked a smile as I shifted and nodded my head to his preferred table with pen and pad in hand I guided him. Today wasn’t a bad day I’d started it off with a free coffee from one of my favorite places and had gotten a turkey bacon cheddar bagel, from a handsome man in a suit. We’d shared a few words in line and before I knew it he had lingered around to pay for my food before slipping away.
“Come on mama don’t give me that cold shoulder” his low gravely voice made my heart flutter. With Nando I was always slightly on guard after catching wind of his status, I wasn’t completely clueless of were his money came from or just who he was. He did after all run this part of town.
Nando from what I gathered use to come once maybe a month, but sense starting here and getting held at gun point by someone on one of those days I’d seen another side come out of him when he had quiet frankly beat the man to a inch of death for daring to come into his part of town and pointing at his women. From then on he was here once or twice a week ordered the same thing and waited for me to take my break to talk with me or just stay in while I worked to drink his coffee and eat his sweets.
He smiled as he slid on elbows on the table eyes locked on me. “You know what it does to me when you all cold Mami” he switched his Latin accent slipping out as he licked his lips. I felt my core pulse at his husky voice, the man knew how to wield it and I found is absolutely sexy when he let his accent come out more.
“Nando” I pursed my lips as I shifted one hip popped to the side. “What can I get ya darlin?” I threw my hair over my shoulder black pin straight waves fell down past my hips.
“You know what I like Mami” he leaned back with a grin.
I rolled my eyes and gave a playful smile as I put a hand on the table leaning slightly in.
His nose flared as he inhaled sharply. His eyes drank me in like a man thirsty for water.
Shit I’d forgotten the new uniforms had a low v cut. “I don’t know Nando, so many come in an ask for so much” I teased. “What was it again? The Al Pastor, with arroz and queso?” I teased.
Jealousy flared in his chocolate eyes, as they narrowed for a moment his lips thinned, a second ticked by before he gave a small smile eyes calmed a bit. “Careful princess” he warned. “your making me jealous”
I straightened up. “Don’t know why” I waved him off. “Steak fajitas, corn tortillas instead of flour, extra pico? Arroz, and frijoles”
He nodded. “You know why” he rubbed his chin his eyes flickered out the window narrowed on something across the street before he clenched his hand in a fist before smacking the table. “Put it in I’ll be right back” he got up towering over me his body brushed mine slightly as I held still I caught sight of the butt of his gun tucked in the back of his pants.
Gulping I let out a sigh and put the order in.
Nando always had me on edge. Not that I was scared of him or the fact that he always was strapped I wasn’t a noob around guns growing up in the country in a little farm town my dad loved to gun and shoot guns so growing up I knew my way around a hand gun to hunting riffle I personally preferred revolvers something about them just made me grin like mad as I shot. I could dress and process a deer in under half a hour if I focused and just about anything else. But let a man flirt with me? Lord that made me a mess.
Minutes passed and his order was up I glanced at his empty spot and made my way to it. Just as I put the plate down the front door opened and Nando strolled in his eyes landed on me as he tipped his head and went to he bathroom. I caught the sight of crimson on his forearm as he passed I glanced across the street and shook my head.
So not my problem so long as it didn’t come to my shop.
He came back out wiping his hands and sat down. “Have your break yet ?”
“Just about” I spared my old watch a glance.
“Join me” he smiled waving over Jose as he’d came out from the back. “Get her order ready she’s taking her break” Jose paused eyes flickered to me lips thinned before he turned back to the kitchen.
“Nando you can’t just-” I gave a sigh and sat across from him. “You know maybe I wanted Subway” I stated in a bored voice catching him off guard his eyes wide from my protest.
He reached for his phone and glanced at me. “what would you like?”
I realized he’d opened door dash and was waiting. I shook my head. “I’m fuckin with you Nando, you don’t gatta do that”
He grinned. “Love that about you” he stated. “Ain’t afraid to give me shit”
I shrugged great full to be off my feet. “ya well someone has to” I grave a little groan as I kicked my shoes off under the table to wiggle my toes. I sighed in bliss.
“Ya Mami I do” I watched as he pushed the sizzling plate away refusing to eat.
“Aren’t you gonna eat?” I tried to ignore the rumble of my stomach from the beautiful smell of his food.
He nodded. “I’ll wait till your food is here Mami” he licked his lips with a hungry look in his eyes but it wasn’t for food as he watched me. “Got any plans this weekend?”
“Your food will get cold”
“Then it gets cold” he shrugged. “Can’t eat if my women ain’t got no food”
I blushed at his slip. “your woman huh?” It was my turn to lean back arms crossed under my well endowed chest his eyes drank in my nicely presented cleavage.
“You know I want you Mami” he stated. “Susana Esperanza Samaniego” he purred my name full making my heart flutter. “You know I want you to be my lady”
“Fernando” I smiled. “We both know you can’t handle me” I waved my hand. “Just eat your food before I do” I threatened.
He didn’t even make a face as he slid it to me. “Eat Mami” he leaned back his arms crossed over his chest his shirt strained.
I eyed it for a moment before finding myself dipping into his food groaning in delight and dancing a little shimmy with my shoulders causing him to smile at me.
“Your beautiful when you eat”
I snorted as I licked my fingers his eyes locked onto the action. “Sure”
“You are” he stated firmly. “Tell me Susana just what are you afraid of?”
I raised a brow as if it was a no brainer. “I dont want to talk about it right now” I stated as I slowly making a taco with a little of everything and held it to him. “Shut up and eat”
His brow raised at my sharp order and he licked his lips as he took it eyes locked on me as he took a bite. “You know not many would boss me around” he polished it off in three bites showing me how hungry the man actually was. “What you doin this weekend?”
I thought on it for a moment. “Was heading out the city” I shrugged. It was fall hunting season I’d promised one off my friends I’d go with him to deer camp to help out with this years hall to get the neck roasts and parts they didn’t like, but Noah had a soft spot for and promised one of the does for me.
“What for?” his eyes narrowed.
I grinned as I leaned on the table with my elbows. “Oh you know, get to go cut shit up, brush up on my skills so I dont get rusty” I grinned.
He waited for me to continue.
“Its hunting season Nando, few of my old friends do a deer camp usually bring in a few heads of deer and they want my help to to process them start to finish. Got promised some good cuts so” I shrugged. “That and the money is pretty decent”
“Deer” he blinked in surprise his eyes narrowed in confusion. “You process them”
I laughed at his look as I nibbled at the rice. “Yup, its butchering them really just what we call it back home” I shrugged. “String em up, skin them, gut em, then process the meat in the cuts they want and vacuum seal them” I stated.
“Your from the country”
I nodded. “Yup, lil farm town about four hours from here” I explained. “I use to do a little hunting myself pretty damn good shot if you ask me, just not a fan of the cold to much so I haven’t in a while but I know people who don’t like certain cuts or dont got the guts or know how to handle taking the deer apart. My papa showed me from as young age I was 5 when I first helped gut a deer” My nose wrinkled as I remembered how he had accidently got the stomach and the smell that came after. But I was hooked after that helping, I loved knowing where my meat came from and knowing the most I had to worry about was maybe a stray piece of fur in it.
“I never would have thought” He sounded surprised.
I realized I’d never really shared much about myself with him till now, but I blame the food and good mood. “Not many women like to get dirty. Me I dont mind, get me on a quad and I am in heaven, I miss the forest and fields but-well” I shook my head. “Better I’m here”
“Ana” I froze and glanced up with wide eyes. Hazel eyes where locked on me as he towered over me, his floppy brown hair fell in a swoop out of his eyes. “I finally found you” he whispered I froze when he reached out to touch my cheek and I smacked his hand away.
“What are you doing here Jonah” I demanded my eye twitching.
“Been looking for you for months, you just disappeared”
I gritted my teeth as I glared at the table for a moment as I slid my shoes on before standing and pushing past him. “You need to leave”
“I just want to talk” he grabbed my wrist and made me look up at him.
I grabbed the pocket knife in my apron an flipped it moving quickly to press it to his throat glaring. “Dont grab me like that”
His hand dropped as he held them up with a smile. “Sorry-you’ve gotten quicker”
“Training does that” I huffed glaring up at him. “Turn back around and leave, dont show up here again Jonah”
He frowned his eyes flickered towards Nando. “He’s trouble”
“I'm a big girl I think I can handle one guy”
“Ana,” his gentle voice made me waver for a moment. “Please-baby lets talk”
I shook my head as I put the knife away. “You know the time to talk was 11 months ago when you told me you wanted to break up after three years together, or maybe just maybe when I begged you to tell me why as you packed your things to leave for the night. Or maybe it was when I told you if you walked out that door I would be gone and never come back” I listed coldly. “Next time you show up here I will cut you” I stated. “I told you I was done with you if you left me. But you still walked out that door”
“Baby-I was nervous I wasn’t thinking right, I showed up the next day and you were-”
“Gone, just like I told you I would. You should leave, best not tell my mother where I am” I stated calmly.
“You know I’d never tell her. We both know the monster that women was to you” he stated he gave a heavy sigh and combed hand through his hair. “Look-call me if you want to talk” he handed me a card. “Please-Ana”
“Just leave” I growled feeling myself tremble with anger.
“You know I love you still baby”
I snapped and balled my fist and threw everything I had into it. My fist slammed into his jaw sending him stumbling back in shock I gritted through the pain and glared at him as he held his jaw. “Stop saying it like it means anything” I huffed.
“Shit- Susana- you cant hit customers” Jose cursed.
I glared at him as I gathered myself hands shaking. “Oh its not a customer its the trash thats being taken out” I pointed to the door. “Get the fuck out of my restaurant.”
Jonah rubbed his jaw still dazed. “Fuck-you really put your weight into that”
“Leave” Nando’s voice was like steel as I spared a glance he was calm as he pinned Jonah down with his dark gaze. “And dont come sniffing around here”
Jonah stiffened as Nando rested his piece on the table with a cool smile.
“Best not find you here again gringo” he threatened as Jonah turned stumbling over his feet as he ran out the shot.
“Jesus, Susana” Jose put the food on the table. “What the fuck was that”
I smiled at my boss knowing it was empty just like my blank gaze. I felt myself drifting away to avoid the rush of emotions. “Just an ex, I handled the trash boss dont worry” I sat back down numbly.
“Look-eat and get the hell out of here take the rest off” he groaned.
“I can still-”
“No offense but that smile scares the shit out of me Susana, just take the damn day get your shit together. You got the weekend off just handle it” he waved his hand over me.
I sighed in defeat and nodded. “Thanks”
He left muttering in Spanish a string of colorful words.
“How's your hand” Nando’s gravely voice drew my attention from the daze.
“Huh?”
He sighed and grabbed my right hand examining my knuckles as he brushed over them with tender fingers. I watched as he grabbed a napkin dipping it into his cold water before wiping down my bruised knuckles. “Got a hell of a right hook”
I scoffed with a small smile. “Yeah”
“Let me drive you home”
I shook my head. “I’m fine”
“Let me drive you home princess” He stated again.
I met his gaze. “I’m not glass, I’m fine Nando”
His eyes narrowed on me. “Shut your mouth women” He snapped. “Your pretty little ass will be in my car when we finish, I am going to drive you home got it?”
I blinked in shock at his command to dumb struck to snap back.
His sad smile like a knife to my already hurting chest. “Thats what I thought. Now eat your food” he nodded to my stewed beef chimichangas and rice with extra queso.
Picking up the fork I did just that tearing into my food letting the flavors explode across my tongue as we ate in silence. Getting up Nando slid his piece back into place and held a hand to me pulling me with him to the counter as he threw down a fifty and lead me to his car. I paused as I took it in with a low whistle at the 1964 Chevrolet Impala that was in beautiful condition with a black paint job that shifted under the sunlight.
“She’s beautiful isn’t she” He asked.
“Yeah” I blinked when he opened the door for me and helped me in. I shivered when he leaned in grabbing the seat belt as he leaned closer his face close to my neck as he buckled me in.
“Gatta keep you safe” his breath tickled my neck as he pulled away eyes lingered on my lips before be closed the door and walked around to his side. “You wanna talk about it?”
I closed my eyes. “Not much to talk about” I admitted. “You heard it”
“I know there is more” he murmured as he maneuvered us through the street. “So talk. Get it off your chest I aint gonna judge you know my record aint no where near sparkly white” he shrugged.
I looked out the window was the city flashed by with a sigh. “I ran away”
“Can you run away as an adult?”
I snorted with a sad smile. “Accord to my mother yes. You dont leave family, family is family you stay together no matter what shit they put you through” I let out bitterly. “My mom-she uh use to abuse me-shit like that ya know?” I shivered at the memories but still didn't go into detail not wanting to fully dredge up the old memories.
A moment passed as he waited silently for me to continue.
“One day it got so bad I almost killed her when she cornered me in the living room” I muttered. “I almost snapped all I could see was red, I called Jonah that day we were dating for a year at that point. He got me out of there I just grabbed a bag with essentials and he got me out of that hell hole” I leaned my head back. “I got a lot of heat for leaving like that told I abandoned her, left her like that” I laughed bitterly.
"Thats fucked up" He murmured softly .
“Jonah let me move in with him I got a job things were good, at least I thought it was we were together for three years thought we’d do the whole wedding, five kids kinda thing you know?” I laughed. “But one day he came home saying how he wanted to break up how he didn’t want any of that no more how he didn’t want me anymore how I was dragging him down” I took a breath it was shaky just as my hands were.
Nando's face was was blank as he listened waiting for me to gather myself. I think thats one of the reason's I enjoyed talking to him, he always let me speak and never pushed unless I was ready. Handling me with such care.
“You know the rest. I’d waited for him to leave packed my bags, hopped on a bus and over night showed up. Didn’t really think it out to be honest I wasn’t working at the time he was supporting me, but I’d done odd end jobs to have a savings so I used that got a hotel got lucky found the place I’m in now and got the job within three days because well no one wanted to work there”
“His loss” He reached over and squeezed my thigh in his large hand drawing me from my doom and gloom my eyes flickered to his has his thumb traced against my thigh. “Fuck him” he stated coldly.
“Nando”
His eyes flickered to mine. “Yes princess?”
I smirked. “How many nicknames you gonna give me?”
He grinned. “All of em till we end with Mrs. Perez” he stated confidently.
“Now thats a big dream” I chuckled.
“That is the dream” he stated confidently.
“Nando” I shivered when he gripped my thigh a little tighter. I didn’t mind the grip, it sent a thrill through me making my heart race. And Jonah was long forgotten.
“You enjoy your weekend with your country tendencies” he teased as he pulled up to the small house I rented.
I blinked and glanced over at him with a raised brow. “Nando I did not tell you my address”
His sly grin got me. “Princess if you dont think I’d look for you to make sure you where under my watch you got another thing coming” he smiled. “Had to make sure my women was safe”
I chuckled with a shake of my head. “Someone can get it but they aint walking out” I stated firmly.
He raised a brow.
“Papi I’m from the country” I leaned towards him as I unbuckled. “We shoot first ask questions later, but I’m a hell of a shot they aint walking out alive I’d take them down”
“Thats my girl” he stated calmly not even flinching as I spoke. “Now get that pretty little ass in the house and lock the door” he ordered.
I pursed my lips feeling more like myself already. “Make me”
Gasping when his hand snapped to the back of my neck as he jerked me to him out noses touching his eyes locked on my lips. “I would-but only when your begging me to” he released me with a smirk when he noticed I was holding my breath.
Swallowing down the lump in my throat I shook my head and got out slamming the door harder then needed his laughter touched my ears as I stomped to the door and went to unlock it my hand froze when I realized it was a jarred. I glanced back his face when serious and he was out and rushing to me pushing me behind him.
“Get in the car” he barked out already pulling his gun out.
“Nando-”
“Now” He snapped as he pushed the door open. “Grab my phone and call the first star if I dont come out in five minutes”
I froze.
“Susana, baby listen to me damn it”
I nodded and darted to the car hoping in I grabbed his phone as he walked in and eyed the time.
In all the time I’d lived here no one had ever actually caused an issue. Now I know it was partly because of Nando’s pretense no doubt he had a few men around the area when he knew I was around. Four minutes went by before the front door opened and he strolled out gun put away but his lips thinned as he strolled up to the car and got in. “Its clear”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Is Void okay?”
“You mean the black fur ball?” He asked with a raised brow.
I nodded.
“He attacked me” he scowled. Revealing his clawed hand blood weeped from the deep cuts. “It’s fine, looks like they were looking for things to take-uh you dont have a TV and whatever you used to stream”
I groaned. “Damn it I just got those” I groaned. “They took the PS4 and games didn’t they?” I groaned in dismay.
He nodded.
“Damn it all-I hope they didn’t find the lap top” I muttered hoping I’d tucked it away like always.
“I’ll have someone come over to replace the locks and reenforce the door” he stated more then asked. “You go in, its safe I’ll wait around till they get here”
I didn’t protest knowing there was no way in hell I had the extra cash for the door to fixed because I’d just paid all the bills. The TV and PS4 and the few games I’d gotten had been a treat because I’d worked my ass off for it. “Look-just come in, you can wait in there be more comfortable” I offered.
“Okay lead the way”
Nodding I handed him his phone an got out and walked up the little stone path pausing at the door I pushed it open. “I’m home”
Angry meows followed as a large fluffy black cloud rushed to me.
“I know, it must be awful are you okay baby?” I scooped his large body up and he licked at my face purring.
Hearing Nando move behind me I heard the door close as best as he could as I glanced over my house and sighed in dismay.
It was a mess, cushions and my throws thrown around the room, the tv stand empty with cords thrown around I sighed in defeat as I put him down and walked around checking. Wandering to my room I paused at the door way and found the dresser open my clothes thrown around closet emptied everything was just thrown around in their attempts to find anything.
On the floor by my bed was the shattered rustic red piggy bank I'd taken from home, the one gift my grandpa have give me. Tears swelled at the sight of it as I tried to will them down.
“Well at least I’ll have this to watch TV till I can save enough for a replacement” I croaked voice tight from holding in the tears. Walking back out to find that Nando had cleaned the living room up and was on the phone talking in a low voice his eyes flickered to me. “I’m gonna hop in the shower-”
He nodded with a little head tip before going back to talking I left him be to hop in the shower and try to calm down and not be to upset. The smell of my strawberry and vanilla body wash filled the small room as I took care of myself tears running freely under the hot water as I tried to distract myself, cutting the water I got out and dried quickly.
I grabbed a clothes from the floor and slid them on ending up with a pair of thick leggings, a off the shoulder black long sleeve that fell past my butt, I quickly combed my hair working in the leave in conditioner and braided my hair before opening my door and walking out to the living room finding Nando were I’d left him only his arms where crossed over his chest his head dipped slightly as he dozed.
I smiled slightly at how peaceful he looked and grabbed on of the throws and put it on him jumping when his hand darted out and grabbed my wrist. Blinking his eyes locked on mine and his hand loosened before he pulled me onto his lap. “Sorry mama” he murmured his voice sinful dripping with sleep.
“Nando-”
I shivered when his arms looped around my waist pulling me against him as he nuzzled at my neck. “You smell good” he gave a deep sigh. “Why you fighting so hard mama, you know you are attracted to me dont think I dont feel those pretty lil eyes of yours run over me” he whispered.
I made a little noise in my throat and let myself drop my weight on him earning a little groan from him. “You aint ready for me Nando" I let out playfully. "And I aint ready to be in a relationship with someone like you"
He was silent for moment before nodding. I knew I hit a nerve with that last bit. But it was true. His life style did make me hesitant.
“I can wait” he stated calmly I felt his lips press against my neck. “I’ll wait for you” he whispered hotly against my skin peppering kisses.
Shivering I bit my lip my neck being a sensitive spot of me I jumped when there was a knock. He quickly moved me off his lap and onto the couch as he strolled to the door.
I watched in shock as he looked so at home as he opened the door three men in uniform were waiting they talked for a moment before he stepped aside and they nodded to me as they checked the measurements and spoke with him some more in a hushed tone before they left and came back getting to work I was surprised when they pulled the whole door and frame out and started to replace it with a much sturdier one.
While the men worked and Nando observed I did the only thing I could as a young latina women who was taught by her abuela well and made some cookies and coffee for the men surprising them Nando gave me a smile as he picked up the cookie and took a bite his eyes shot wide with delight as he groaned.
The small task distracting me from the fact that my door was kicked in and I was robbed.
“Mami you are amazing in the kitchen” he groaned as he took a sip of the coffee to clear his throat.
I smiled slightly and shrugged. “I’ll leave these here and I’m going to go try to get my room in order”
He nodded and waved me off.
Hours went by till I finished cleaning up the room finally and crawled into bed and yawned in exhaustion as I grabbed my book to read, sleep claimed me a chapter in as my hand went limp and darkness wrapped around me.
