Chapter 20

Isabella

José dropped Horace and me off at Mia’s. As soon as Viviana answered the door, Mia was there with Jorge in her arms.

“You never called. How did your day go?”

“Other than a minor issue of going into shock, it improved.” I grinned. “I should have your program up-to-date by the end of the day tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Wow, you’re fantastic.”

We walked together past el Patrόn’s closed office door, past the kitchen where Viviana was creating magical aromas, and finally out onto the pool deck. Mia placed Jorge in a colorful small fenced-in area with soft rubber flooring and enough toys for a toy store. Once he was content, she stood straight. “I’m worried about Liliana. What did you think?”

“I think she’s amazing,” I answered honestly.

Mia’s eyes opened wide. “Tell me more.”

“She knows every woman’s name. They talk to her, confide in her, and go to her for help. And when she’s there, she’s a different person. She knows so much.” I lay back against the lounge chair, stretching out my legs, and stared up at the bright blue sky. “Something did bother me.”

“What?”

“At one point today, Liliana was explaining the classes you offer.” I turned to my cousin. “She was incredibly knowledgeable. I asked if she’d ever considered becoming a teacher. Her response was that she wasn’t smart enough for something like that.” My volume rose. “She is.”

Mia nodded. “Without going into what is Liliana’s to share, her self-confidence has taken a hit. I’m thrilled to hear your assessment of her at the apartments. It sounds like she’s doing better than I realized.”

“I think the only reason the program is behind on her input is because she’s not sitting in her office, or standing,” I added with a grin. “She’s physically out among the women. My guess is she’s doing what you were.”

“Now, tell me about the minor case of shock.”

I shook my head. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

“Okay. Just know if you want to talk about it, I’m here.”

Placing my feet back on the travertine pavers, I stared at Mia as tears burned the back of my eyes. “Did you always know what your father did, what your brothers do?”

Mia’s eyes opened wide, and she licked her lips. “I’m sure I didn’t know at some point. Once you learn, it’s impossible to forget.”

“Celeste who works in the front office is only a year older than me.”

Mia nodded.

“I want to call Noemi and talk to her, but I feel like I can’t.”

“She’s your sister. I’m sure she’d like to talk to you.”

With my elbows on my knees, I supported my head. “I don’t want to be the one who bursts her bubble.”

Mia reached out and placed her hand on my knee. “I’m sorry. If I’d have known your lack of understanding, I would have prepared you better. May I ask how you learned…what you learned?”

Inhaling, I sat straighter. “Liliana and I wanted to go to a café for lunch. Em arrived at that same time and told us that we were on lockdown. Isla had mentioned earlier in the day that she had trouble getting to sleep after what happened at the club last night.” Suddenly, it occurred to me that Mia may not know. If el Patrόn didn’t want her to know, I didn’t want to be the one to tell her.

My forehead furrowed. “I-I um…do you know?”

She nodded. “Jano had to leave late at night. He told me what happened.”

Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “I didn’t know about any of it. I’ve heard the word war from my father, but I didn’t realize…” I stood and paced near the crystal-blue pool.

The sunlight danced on the Pacific Ocean like millions of shimmering diamonds.

When I turned back, Mia was waiting patiently. “I didn’t know there was a literal war. People are dying. People are being tortured.” I took a deep breath. “Dante…”

“Reinaldo and Jano,” Mia added. “Dario, Uncle Salvatore, and Uncle Carmine.”

“My dad.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded. “It’s a lot to take in.” She forced a smile. “I bet Uncle Carmine didn’t send you out here to lose your innocence.”

Dropping my hands to my sides, I stood taller. “Dario did. He thought I’d break.”

Mia’s eyebrows bunched as she stood. “No, he sent you out here because of me.” She came closer. “I’m not one to stick up for my brother, but he didn’t send you out here to fail. He sent you out here because I need help, and we both believed you would succeed.”

A lump formed in my throat.

“Thank you. I didn’t know that.” I looked back at the pool. “What time is dinner? Do I have time to swim a few laps?”

“I’ll talk to Viviana, but I’m sure we have time. Does this mean you’re going to stay here?”

I nodded. “I like Liliana, but one thing my father made me promise was that I would stay with you. Seeing as I’m breaking a million of his rules, I can at least follow that one.”

Mia wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “I’m glad.” She took a step back. “I miss the apartments and especially the tenants. It can get lonely here, even with Viviana and Silas. Jano is so busy…” She smiled. “I’m very glad you’re here, Izzy.”

I lowered my volume. “Your husband still scares me.”

She shook her head.

“Were you ever scared of him?”

Mia’s lips quirked. “Not scared. I thought he was an asshole.”

A laugh came from deep in my chest. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“At the time, I was right.” Her smile softened and her eyes shone. “Since then, he’s proved me wrong.”

“For the first time since Papà told me that I was coming, I’m glad to be here.”