Chapter 36

Isabella

It was after midnight as I sat alone on a twin-sized bed in a room that was big enough for the bed, a dresser, and a desk. The light fixture above was new but plain, giving off a harsh white illumination. With my knees to my chest, and my back against the wall where a headboard should be, I stared at the four corners, not willing to turn off the only source of light.

My head and jaw ached from the stress. My stomach was twisted in knots.

I couldn’t stop worrying about Em. How could it be that he finally tells me his feelings and I admit mine, and then he could be taken away from me? I was afraid my heartbreak would come from my father’s refusal or maybe Dario’s. Instead, it could be so much worse.

Closing my eyes, I asked the God I’d been taught about all my life to spare Emiliano, pleading his case. He wasn’t a perfect man. He’d admitted to murder. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t a good man. He’d asked el Patrόn to close Wanderland. I also asked the same for others, not even knowing for sure who was part of the operation or—if it was too late—if anyone was already injured or dead.

My teeth clenched as I imagined crime scenes from movies, wondering how accurate they truly were. Em never lied about what he did, telling me over and over that it was dangerous. What he didn’t tell me was that giving my heart to a handsome, strong, protective, and yes, good man would cause this much fear.

Throwing back the covers, I stood barefoot on the cool vinyl floor. Goose bumps peppered my arms and legs.

What was happening at Wanderland?

Were the tenants safe?

Is Volkov dead?

Have his men retaliated?

I paced next to the bed, back and forth, the questions multiplying in my head. There was no source of news. I didn’t even have my phone. Horace had it. I don’t know if that was his doing or Em’s, and at the moment, all I wanted was word of my fiancé.

Word that Em was safe and alive.

My fiancé.

The knots in my stomach multiplied.

Horace promised he’d bring me the phone if I received news. What he didn’t want was for me to freak out and call someone I shouldn’t share the information with. He didn’t want me scrolling for news stories or listening to rumors.

“Gah,” I called out, the pressure within me mounting. I felt like a lioness trapped in a cage.

Looking down, I assessed the clothes I wore, wondering if they were appropriate enough for José and Horace. One of our bodyguards would be in the common area while the other one slept.

Liliana found each of us a pair of shorts and oversized men’s t-shirts from donations the apartments received. The clothes had been washed, dried, and categorized by size. The shirt she handed me was clean with a faded LA Lakers logo on the front. It fell to my knees. The shorts were soft with an elastic waistband. We utilized hygiene supplies that Mia kept on hand for new arrivals. 

Biting my lip, I went to the door and opened it a crack. I saw Horace sitting in a chair near the closed door to the hallway. “Any word?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“Are you telling me all you know or are you trying to protect me? Because not knowing is unbearable.”

“The mission is complete. That’s all I know.”

“Casualties?”

My eyes flooded with tears and my throat constricted when he nodded.

“Names?”

Again, he shook his head.

I turned toward the opening of Liliana’s door. She peeked her head out. “What do you know?”

My nostrils flared as I tried to form words. “Not much.” I wiped my runny nose on the back of my hand. “The operation is over. There are casualties. No names.”

Liliana came out and reached for my hand. “Come in my room. I can’t sleep and neither of us should be alone.” With my hand in hers, she looked at Horace. “What about Wanderland?”

“No word, ma’am. Business as usual.”

She exhaled. “The club closes at three. Wake me up if I’m asleep when the tenants return.”

“Señora Ruiz, they can’t know what is happening. If they know you’re here all night, there will be questions.”

I replied to him, my voice an octave higher than before. “What are we supposed to do, show up tomorrow in the same clothes and act like we went home?”

“Yes, miss. That is exactly what you will do.”

“Come on,” Liliana said, tugging my hand.

I’d never officially shared a bed. There were times throughout our childhood that I’d sneak into Noemi’s room, or she’d sneak into mine. That was different. We were sisters and we each had queen-sized beds for as long as I can remember.

Liliana peeled the top blanket from the bed and handed it to me. Next, she peeled the top sheet and wrapped it around herself like a big cape. “Let’s sit here.”

We both sat on the small bed with our backs against the wall on the long side and faced straight ahead.

“Have you ever done this before?” I asked. “Been made to stay here overnight?”

“No. There’s been times I wasn’t taken to my apartment. I’ve slept at Valentina’s or Mia’s before.”

I held my knees to my chest. Breaking down, I laid my face on my knees and cried. My shoulders heaved as I gasped for breath. Lifting my head, I turned to my new friend. “What if I lose him? We haven’t had enough time together.”

“How much time do you want?”

Her question caught me off guard. “I want forever.”

She inhaled and nodded.

“Oh shit.” I wiped my eyes on the blanket. “Liliana, I’m sorry. I’m such an idiot.”

Her eyes opened wide. “What are you sorry about?”

I closed my eyes, feeling the pounding in my head. “I’m crying and carrying on about the unknown fate of Em and you lost your husband.”

She shook her head.

“Do you mind me asking what happened to him? Was it an operation or battle?”

With her lips pressed together, she shook her head. “No, he was killed, but not in service to the cartel.”

I reached out to her raised, sheet-covered knees. “Killed? The Russians? The other cartel?”

“Herrera? No, I believe he was killed by el Patrόn himself.”

What?

My thoughts went to Mia’s husband. “Why would Aléjandro kill your husband?”

Her voice was monotone, almost robotic. “Not Aléjandro. Jorge, his father. My husband betrayed the Roríguez cartel.”

I couldn’t comprehend.

She turned to me. “You say you want more time with Em. Are you praying for him?”

I nodded.

“I used to pray.” A tear slid down her cheek. “I thought God was punishing me—for what, I didn’t know.” She took a ragged breath. “I prayed every day for no más tiempo—no more time—with Gerardo.” Her timbre changed, becoming stronger. “Every morning, he’d swim laps in our pool. I’d slip into the shower, get down on my knees, and pray that he’d be stricken down. A heart attack or drowning—I didn’t care. I even considered poisoning him.” Her lips curled upward. “Did you know you can make poison out of crushed cherry pits?”

I shook my head.

She went on. “I didn’t know that he was betraying the Roríguez cartel. When Valentina came to tell me that he was gone, I felt the greatest sense of relief. Not Sofia. She cried.” Liliana shook her head. “I never shed a tear.”

I rubbed her knee with my hand. “I don’t know what to say.”

“El Patrόn himself questioned me. I truly didn’t know what Gerardo was doing. He let me live.” She took a breath. “I enjoy working with the tenants because while I never worked at a place like Wanderland, my parents sold me into hell—a slave to Gerardo’s sick, abusive…” She shook her head and took a breath. “My parents didn’t think twice, all because el Patrόn told them to do it.” She feigned a smile. “The funny thing is that I’ve never told any of the tenants that story. And yet, it is as if they know we share an understanding.”

“You’re amazing with them. I told Mia that the first day I worked.”

She lifted her brow. “You told her that?”

“I did. I meant it.” I inhaled. “I’m sorry for…”

Liliana shook her head. “Because of Mia, I wasn’t made to remarry right away. Allowing me to live alone was unheard of. My parents think I should be back with them or remarried.” She turned her attention to the door. “I’m praying too, Izzy. Aléjandro and Mia are good for the cartel. If we lose el Patrόn, I don’t know what will happen to us.” She shrugged. “We could go to Herrera. And then what?”

We reached for each other’s hand.

I closed my eyes. The words weren’t audible, yet they came from my heart. “Please watch over Emiliano, Aléjandro, and everyone who was with them.” I remembered what Horace said about casualties. “Please don’t let anyone suffer. Bring Emiliano back to me so I can spend the rest of my life showing him how wrong I was before. And please, let Liliana find happiness.”

I opened my eyes at the knock and opening of Liliana’s door. I sprang to my feet at the sight of Horace. “Have you heard?”

“Sí.”