The Saints of the Cross by Michelle Figley Read Free Book Online

then perhaps my fantasy of him moving to DC will become reality. It’s a long shot, but it’s all I have.
    So, as I pack the pink-and-white designer suitcase Javier bought me to bring on our trips, I take three condoms from my jeans’ front pocket and hastily shove them into the underwear compartment inside the zippered top flap before one of the twins can walk in and catch me. Last week, after I told Coralea about my plan to seduce Javier, she brought me the condoms, which she had stolen out of her parent’s stash. Apparently, Cora’s parents are hell-bent on not having any more children—raising her had killed that desire for them—and they always have plenty of protection to ensure it never happens again. They stay the course, even though having the contraceptives goes against their Roman Catholic beliefs. They don’t bother hiding the paraphernalia from Cora, which I find incredibly odd for Catholic parents. Well, for any parents, actually.
    “These won’t be missed, trust me,” Cora said, handing them over to me. “It’s like my parents have their own adult bookstore in their bathroom. Gross!”
    “What do you mean, trust you? You’ve taken them before?” I was a little perplexed by her statement, mainly because I know Cora’s a virgin—and proud of it. What use would she have with condoms?
    “Yeah. I took some and practiced putting them on a banana.”
    “What?” I must’ve looked at her like she was crazy, because her lovely mocha skin turned crimson in a hot second.
    “Well, I want to be prepared if it ever happens.” She shrugged, giving me a face that said: drop it .
    What can I say? I took them and made Cora promise not to breathe a word of it to anyone. After all, I want to seduce him, not end up pregnant. Oh, what a nightmare that would be. Thank goodness Cora had enough foresight to steal them for me, because I, evidently, am completely clueless.
    Javier arrives at my front door promptly at nine o’clock in the morning. Dad has already left for the base, so I don’t have to worry about him drilling Javier for the details of our trip. In fact, that’s how I’d worked out all of our trips: Javi arriving after Dad goes to work. It’s just better for me that way. I couldn’t risk my dad seeing my face when Javi appears at the door bearing fresh-cut wild flowers and a mischievous grin. If Dad could’ve seen me, he’d know the truth: that I’m completely and undeniably in love with Javier. If he had witnessed my desperation and longing, then I’m certain he would’ve never allowed me to go anywhere unaccompanied with Javier, let alone on an overnight trip. A girl who is that possessed with her love would be willing to steal the moon from the sky, at the very least, to make him happy. Giving herself over to him wouldn’t cause so much as a second’s hesitation. I know that feeling of mad devotion. I know it all too well, thanks to Javier.
    Since our last trip is to Marbella on the Costa del Sol, we decide to travel the hour-and-a-half by car. Javier has his Uncle Rey’s Mercedes Benz on loan for the special occasion. He looks absolutely amazing today. His super-short haircut has grown out over the last three weeks into the familiar sleek style—longer on top, with straight, black wisps of hair grazing his forehead. He’s abandoned his usual uniform of jeans, t-shirt, black leather jacket, and Doc Martens motorcycle boots in favor of a white, gauzy-cotton, button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, khaki pants, and tan Sperry’s. The look is casually preppy, but somehow it fits him, and he seems quite at ease. He’s propped in the doorway in front of me, his right elbow resting on the doorframe, hand on his head, a playful grin stretching from ear to ear. He extends a bunch of flowers—wild sweet peas, lilacs, and daises—out to me with his left hand. I move to him and stand up on my toes to plant a kiss on his smiling lips. He wraps his left arm, and the flowers,