Chapter 31

Isabella

It shouldn’t be a surprise that I had a difficult time falling asleep. Once I was upstairs in my room, I called my mother. It was nearly midnight in Kansas City, and the call went to voice mail. I told her I loved her. I stared up at the ceiling. Between the memories of Em’s and my first date and complete shock over the way my world has been turned upside down in the course of a few weeks, sleep was elusive.

This morning, after I showered and dressed for work, I went downstairs. Mia was sitting at an umbrella table and drinking coffee out by the pool. Jorge was content and babbling in that colorful fence thingy. I stepped into the sunshine. “Thank you for what you did last night.”

She turned toward me and wrapped her fingers around the warm cup. Her expression was sober. “Have a seat.”

My heart fell as I sat across the table from her. “Dario said no.”

Mia shook her head. “Jano kept his word. He called last night. My brother didn’t commit one way or the other. I would expect he’ll be in discussions with Uncle Carmine. Honestly, you could hear in five minutes or at midnight tonight. There will be a decision made today especially since they want you home tomorrow.” She lifted her eyebrows. “You know, if you go back home, I’m sure they’ll find you an Italian husband.”

My eyes fell to the table. “They already have.” I looked up. “I wasn’t looking for a husband. I wanted to go to school.”

“Wait. They’ve found you a husband. Is it official?”

I shook my head. “Papà said it would be when I went back to Kansas City.”

“But you didn’t want to marry, and you do now. What changed?”

A smile curled my lips. “Emiliano. The apartments. The realization of the lies I’ve been told my entire life. I feel like a heavy veil has been ripped away from my eyes. I’m seeing the sky for the first time.”

“Concentrate on the first one. Emiliano Ruiz. Did you know that he’s thirty years old?”

I looked down and back up. “No. I guessed somewhere around there. There’s a lot about him I don’t know.”

“Then why do you want to marry him?”

I sighed with a grin. “Because of what you said about a good man. Em is a good man. He listens when I talk. He helped me with the different programs for the apartments but didn’t smother me. He guided me and sat back, like he knew I was capable. I remember my father getting frustrated with Mom. When she was having difficulties with something, he didn’t offer to help her achieve the task—he’d just take it from her.” I lowered my voice. “I remember the first time I heard him tell her she was stupid.” I met Mia’s gaze. “I couldn’t believe he’d say that to her. I think what made the memory lasting was Mom’s response.”

“What was it?”

“Nothing. Acceptance. Submission. I don’t want a husband like that.”

“There are probably good men closer to your age.”

I shook my head. “Do you really think Papà will let me wait five or six years to marry?”

Mia pinched her lips together. “Probably not. But that isn’t a reason to jump into—”

“I love him,” I blurted out. “I don’t know if it’s love or lust or infatuation, but I know that when I’m with him, I feel special, valued. I want to see him happy. I like when he touches me.”

Mia’s eyebrows jumped. “He touched you?”

“He held my hand and wrapped his arm around me. I know what he does, but that doesn’t mean I’m frightened of him.” I sighed. “His job scares me for him. Last night I lay awake wondering about our future, fearful that one day he’d be a casualty of the war.”

“I know that feeling.”

“When I’m at his side, I feel safe. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be? I mean this is unquestionably fast, but the thought of being separated from him forever frightens me more.”

“There’s also the matter of Lieutenant Andrés Ruiz.”

“Em’s father.”

Mia nodded. “He’s married both of his daughters to Lucianos. I can’t see him arguing with Jano, especially when Em wants you, but at this point he’s still an unknown.” She leaned back with her coffee mug. “I helped Camila marry because I believe in the woman’s right to have a voice in her future. I like your answers, and I know Em. He is a good man. I’m here to help all I can. There’s a chance with the war that a big wedding will be out of the question.”

“I don’t care about a big wedding.” I shrugged. “I’ve never dreamed of my wedding day.”

“I’ve had two.” She grinned. “Other than the gunshots, I preferred Camila’s.”

I blinked. “Did you say gunshots?”

“Machine guns.” Mia smiled and shook her head. “If Isla comes to you again today, tell her I’m working her problem, and no, I didn’t use her name.”

My cheeks rose and my lips curled. “Thank you, Mia, for everything.”

I stayed at Mia’s as long as I could. After no word from Kansas City, I left with Horace. It was past time to get to the apartments. Liliana was already there when I arrived. I said good morning to José, Reina, and Celeste as I entered.

Before I could get my purse put away, Liliana came to my office, closed the door, and leaned against it. “Spill. I want all the details. I can’t believe you went on a date with Em.”

For a moment, I stood with my lips agape.

“Don’t look so scared. Mia told me. Well, she didn’t tell me it was a date. She said Em was giving you a tour of San Diego. But I can read between the lines.”

My head was shaking. “When did she tell you that?”

“Last night. She told me that if anyone asked, you came to my apartment to watch a movie.”

Sitting in my desk chair, I leaned down until my forehead hit the desk. “This is ridiculously out of control.”

Liliana came forward and sat at a chair across from my desk. When I looked up, she was intently staring my direction. “Tell me what it was like. I’ve never been on a date.”

“How is that possible? You were married.”

She wobbled her head. “We never dated. I only knew him as Sofia’s father. El Patrόn said we were to be wed. That was it. My parents bought me a dress and there was a wedding.” She shrugged. “No dates.”

“That makes me sad.”

“It’s not uncommon. It happens.”

“Mia said she wants that to end. She thinks the women should have a say in the matter.”

Liliana sat back in the chair. “It could be romantic. Or not.” Her eyes lit up. “Tell me about last night.”

A smile curled my lips. For something Em and I agreed to keep secret, the word was spreading fast. “He took me to Little Italy. We had a delicious dinner. We stopped at a bakery and got cannoli. And then he drove to Imperial Beach. We watched the sunset.”

Liliana rubbed her hands together. “That sounds like what a date should sound like. Did Horace keep his distance?”

“Horace wasn’t there.”

Her eyes widened. “Just the two of you? Oh, how scandalous. Do you like him?”

“Horace is fine.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Do you like Em? It was pretty obvious that he’s been hanging out here more than normal.”

I didn’t know that. Of course, I didn’t know what normal was either. I thought about her question. “I do.” I remembered something. “Your husband was older. Was that an issue for you?”

“Yes, but I had a lot of issues with Gerardo. Em is different. I know that about him. He’s just always been kind. He’s a good man.”

Good man.

My smile returned as I sat up straight. “I agree. The problems are my parents and the capo.”

“Do you mean Em’s asked to marry you?”

My body tingled. It was unreal to be discussing this with a friend. “He did. He proposed on the beach last night.” I wiggled my fingers. “No ring until we have both the cartel’s and famiglia’s approval.”

“You live with el Patrόn. Has he given the cartel’s approval?”

I nodded.

Her smile grew. “Hey, if you need another alibi, I’m your go-to.”

“Thank you.”

Liliana stood and walked to the door. “I’m one hundred percent in favor of this marriage.”

“You are? Why?”

“Because if you marry Em, you’ll move to San Diego permanently, and we won’t lose you here at the apartments.”

“I like it here more than I could have imagined.”

The rest of the day moved slowly. I watched YouTube videos about filing grant applications. That was enthralling. I worked on the program and ate lunch with Liliana and other tenants in the cafeteria. I was beginning to know all the tenants’ names and faces. The spreadsheet helped. I guessed I was a visual learner. Seeing their names spelled out helped me retain the information.

It was after four when my phone rang. It was my mother.