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“Everything’s so messed up.” She finally takes the chair beside mine and slumps, wiping the tears that continue to fall without pause. “There are things that no one knows, and I’m afraid. If they find out—”
“You’re pregnant, Lourdes. Aren’t you?”
“Christ. How?”
“Loose clothing only hides so much, but close contact can’t.”
Lourdes nods, patting the barely visible bump there. “My family is going to kill him.”
“And that bothers you?”
“No. I want him to die for his crimes.”
“Did he force—”
“No. Not with me.” Self-recrimination is heavy and so is her guilt. “His wife took the brunt during our trip through the countryside. He promised me forever and I fell for it, believing I was what he wanted and loved when in reality, I was the final piece in his sick love triangle. I’m the obsession he couldn’t control, and I let myself get dragged down after hearing a few sweet words.”
“You’ve made some mistakes, sweetie. We all do at some point in life.”
“I willingly slept with a married man. I’m a whore.”
“You’re not,” I hiss out, taking her hands in mine and squeeze. “Yes, it wasn’t your best judgment and I won’t deny it, but this is where you change the course and make amends. Where you grow up and face things head-on.”
“Thank you.” She sniffles and then gives a watery, sad smile. “I’m sorry our first meeting is like this. Please give me the chance to show you I’m not an—”
“Cut it out, Lourdes. He’s a sick man who deserved whatever karma throws his way.”
“And I’m the asshole who’ll collect on the damage, Lourdes.” We pause at Alejandro’s steely voice, the anger in it. “I promise you this.”
“How much did you hear?” his sister asks, face now pale.
“That I’ll be an uncle soon.”
“Are you mad?”
My eyes cut to his, and the look I send dares him to make her feels worse than she already does. He sees and gives me a minute shake and smile, something she misses, and I relax in my seat.
“I’m angry you’ve been hurt. That you didn’t come to me when he approached to verify his bullshit.” At his words, Lourdes jumps from her seat and into his arms. She’s sobbing again, nodding, while he speaks lowly in her ear and rubs her back in a soothing manner.
This is something she needs. To know her family won’t abandon her after the mess she involved herself in.
Knowing they need a few minutes before she comes clean to her mother, I walk past them and to the door, pausing with my hand on the knob. I look back, and our eyes meet. There’s so much gratitude in his, and mine have to show the pure unadulterated love I’m drowning in.
I love you, he mouths over the top of her head and I nod, saying the words back.
There are things we need to discuss—his lowly spoken marriage proposal—plans to make, but for now, this is where our focus will remain. She’s not alone.
Her family is and will be there.
All of them. New and old.
29
I’M IN MIAMI BEACH two weeks later, having set up an exchange with a supplier that comes highly recommended. Malcolm Asher doesn’t do business with just anyone, and being this is a personal friend, I made the trip instead of continuing my search.
Just like he promised, Javier had the contact information in my email within seconds of hanging up, the note attached urging me to call. To trust that it would be worth my while.
Moreover, Thiago Rivera promises a unique experience and while killing Chiquito remains a priority, I’m intrigued by this. By the kind of artillery he traffics.
