Page 85 of Cartel Devil

“Ms. Vizzini, the nurses will check on you more frequently. If you want something to help you sleep, there are safe options.”

“No. I’m tired enough to go back to sleep.”

As the medical team leaves, I spy two of Joaquin’s men taking up position outside the door. My eyes drift closed, and I sigh.

“This is my fault.”

My eyes snap open. “No, it’s not. You didn’t send that woman.”

“I upset you with what I said. You started cramping, then I abandoned you when you said we should use the call button. The only reason that woman got near you was because I failed to protect you. I swore I would, and I failed.”

This goes far deeper than what just happened. His eyes aren’t the brick wall they usually are. They’re a window into his soul. He has deep-seated guilt about failing someone. I fear it’s from when his father died. He wasn’t even eleven. There was nothing he could do, but grief defies logic. And if that guilt took root when he was a child, it’s grown into a dense forest with vines wrapped around him, trapping him.

“Don’t do that, Joaco. Don’t blame yourself for something you didn’t do. I was as much a part of our argument as you were. I could’ve been forthcoming, which would’ve prevented the entire disagreement. I let myself get wound up, and that’s why the cramping started. You did the right thing going for help. I believe the only reason someone responded was because you were at the nurses’ station when I pushed the button.”

“I never want to hear you scream that word ever again. My heart can’t take it.”

“Come here, Daddy.”

I tug his hand, and he rises. I pat the bed beside me as I scoot to the far edge. I draw back the covers, and it tempts him.

“There’s not enough room, chica. I’ll make you uncomfortable.”

“The only thing that’ll make me relax is you holding me. Please, Joaco.”

He’s skeptical, but he sits on the edge of the bed before he kicks off his shoes. He gingerly rolls onto his side. He’s prepared to spoon me, but I turn toward him. He shifts so I can rest my head on his shoulder.

“Joaco, we need to meet with my brother and cousins.”

Chapter Nineteen

Joaquin

I think we’re about to take a nap. Instead, Tre says the unexpected. Seems to be the rule of the day. I don’t know how many more surprises my nervous system can take when my pregnant girlfriend’s involved.

“Tristano, Rocco, Dante, and Edmondo are not who I want to think about right now.”

“I know, but they’ll find out who did this. I trust them to tell us the whole truth. I can’t say that for my uncles or even my dad.”

“Why would they be honest? They’d defy their fathers?”

“For me, yes.”

“Help me understand. Why would they?”

“Each of them owes me something big. I can’t divulge what, but I’m ready to cash in.”

“And Tristano?”

“I trust my brother the most, but he’s the least likely to agree. It’s not because I hold nothing over his head. I know more of his secrets than he realizes. He’s the least likely to trust you because I’m his little sister.”

“How will you convince your cousins to help you if your brother refuses?”

Tre hesitates. I’m already dreading talking to any Vizzini, so this makes it worse.

“Steven.”

My cousin-in-law.