Chapter 327: _ Walked Into War
In the early morning sun with no breeze except for the heavy kind of warmth that clung to your skin like anxiety. María adjusted her jacket, shoulders tight again, and I resisted the urge to grab her hand and just hold.
Instead, I stepped into my role of loyal husband, bodyguard, and emotional support animal. I walked beside her as we approached the building, nodding to the guards who opened the doors.
Inside, it was a flurry of movement. Packs of lawyers and council aides rushed past in tight suits and polished shoes. Some offered us glances while some nodded.
And then... came the fake smiles.
"Señora Montenegro," one councilman said, voice syrupy enough to choke a diabetic. "You’re positively radiant this morning."
"Thank you. I hope your conscience slept well." María said with a smile that could freeze lava.
The man blinked, laughed too loudly, and moved on.
Another short one approached with stubby fingers and a bald head that glistened like a cursed pearl. "I heard you’ll be making a statement today. I do hope it’s brief. The council has quite a lot of work to do."
"I’ll keep it short," María said smoothly. "Just long enough to indict corruption and maybe cause a few resignations."
He didn’t know whether to laugh or faint. He chose neither and waddled away.
I leaned toward her as we walked. "How are you this graceful under pressure?"
"I imagine every man here is a roach," she whispered back. "It helps me keep my voice level."
I choked on a laugh. She didn’t even look at me. Gods, I loved her.
But the moment froze in my throat when I spotted a figure near the end of the hallway. How on earth did he get here before us?
I meant the tall, dark-suited one leaning too casually against the marble archway like he was waiting to be fed grapes by terrified interns.
Álvaro.
Fucking Álvaro.
His face turned toward us just slightly, and that infuriating smile curled like smoke across his lips. Around the pack councilmen, my brother had the power to dismantle a room with words alone—and I had no doubt he’d try.
I held my breath, hoping maybe he wouldn’t approach because I didn’t want to make a scene or ruin this for María. But the gods weren’t merciful today.
He pushed off the wall with a catlike ease and started walking our way.
"Shit," I muttered. "He’s coming."
María’s hand didn’t tremble, but I felt the tension in her body spike.
"Don’t let him get in your head. He’s not a threat. He’s a distraction." I encouraged under my breath.
She gave me a sideways glance. "Do you ever
stop talking?""Only when you make me."
Álvaro reached us like someone who thought the world owed him affection.
"María," he drawled, like her name was something to sip slowly. "I was hoping to see you before things began. Always nice to exchange pleasantries before the bloodletting starts."
She rolled her eyes. "I’d offer you a smile, Álvaro, but I reserve those for decent people."
He smirked. "I see you’ve brought your husband today. Good. You’ll need all the support you can get. You know how the elders are—so fond of tradition."
I narrowed my eyes. "Funny. I thought you’d be off somewhere rehearsing your monologue about how women don’t belong in leadership."
Álvaro clucked his tongue. "Touchy this morning, brother, I see."
María stepped forward, not much, just enough to put herself between us.
"There’s a seat waiting for you inside, Álvaro," she said smoothly. "I suggest you use it before someone mistakes you for another self-important relic that needs removing."
He didn’t flinch. But he did nod.
"Well played," he murmured, then offered me a wink. "See you both inside."
He vanished down the hallway, the scent of politics and poison trailing behind him like a bad perfume. When it came to politics, my little brother, as pompous as he was... was a fucking pro.
Scratch that... when it came to "corrupted" politics.
I looked at María with my brows raised.
"That went well."
She huffed. "For now."
We walked the rest of the way to the hearing room, tension thick as concrete. Carmen was waiting by the door, clipboard in hand, brows arched so high she could’ve passed for surprised royalty.
"You sure did take your time, señora," she said, but she grinned when she saw María.
María José’e maids were the most distinct in the estate. She had trained them not to be just maids but her diplomats when needed. I couldn’t even fathom how sharp and corporate a maid like Carmen could look while escorting her mistress to a formal gathering.
"You look like hellfire. That suit deserves a criminal record." She complimented.
"I’ll take that as a compliment," María said.
"You should." Carmen’s eyes flicked to me. "Nice to see you finally being where you should be, señor."
I frowned. "Why did I feel like there’s an unsaid ’after being a jerk for so long’ after that?"
"I dare not insinuate such, but wherever the shoe fits, master." She raised her hands in surrender.
Damn it. I was going to like her more than I should. I definitely deserve more than that. It was cool to know there were people who could call me out for my shortcomings no matter how subtly they did it.
María took a long breath beside me, her fingers twitching slightly. The doors to the chamber opened, and murmuring voices leaked through as a sea of judgment and expectation waited inside.
I knew this was going to be a tough one... final showdown and all.
She turned to me once more. "You sure you’re ready for this?"
I took her hand in mine. "No. But I’m sure I’m ready for you. Don’t let yourself be intimidated by those old men, alright?"
"I didn’t come this far just to be intimidated, dear husband."
And with that, she walked into war, but not alone—with her personal soldier beside her. And hell, if that wasn’t all that we really needed.