Ariana heard voices. She’d been trying to stay awake, waiting for her husband, but she’d dozed off a couple of times. A fitful sleep. A restless one. At first, she attributed it to the anticipation of finally consummating their marriage. Migs left at around nine with Cesar. She figured they would take an hour or two round trip, so at around ten she soaked in the tub, hoping her husband would walk in any moment.
He didn’t.
Deciding against turning into a prune, she’d glumly gotten out of the tub and went through the motions of getting ready for bed.
Her anticipation slowly devolved into worry, remembering how Migs didn’t want to tell her about the tension between him and Cesar. She’d also convinced herself that Migs was fully capable of taking care of himself in case his brother-in-law wanted to hurt him.
Por Dios, Ariana. She berated herself. She wasn’t living in her brother’s world anymore. The Alcantaras were normal people. A family she wanted to have, a place to belong.
A home.
Siblings.
A grandmother she could talk to.
This was her chance.
The voices grew louder, and she heard a door close. She glanced at the clock. It was three in the morning. All the warm fuzzies she was feeling disappeared as an icy fist wrapped around her heart and strangled her lungs. She grabbed a robe and put it on, hurrying toward the door.
In the hallway was Drew, and he was arguing with Delia.
“You better be honest with me,” Miguel’s mother whisper-yelled. “Why are the cops here? Tessa just called me. Cesar hasn’t come home.” She looked at Ariana. “And it appears neither did Miguel.”
“Delia, hon,” Drew attempted to put his hands on her mother-in-law’s shoulders, but she warded him off.
“Where’s Migs?” Ari’s voice was a level above a whisper as anxiety exploded in her chest. “Is he okay?”
“He’s okay,” Drew said. “No one is hurt, they just want me to go into the station.”
“I don’t understand. They’ve been arrested?”
“There was a raid at the warehouse. I’m sure I can clear this up.”
“You’re going to the station?” Ariana asked.
“Yes, but I need to get dressed now.”
“I’m coming with you—”
“Ari, my dear …”
“Because if you can’t clear his name.” Her voice was firm. “I know someone who can.”
Drew regarded her intently, seeing determination in her eyes. “Okay. But hurry up and change.”
As Ariana turned back to her room, she heard one of Migs’ sisters call out.
“Mamá? Pops?”
The house was awake.
It took Ariana less than five minutes to get ready. She tied her hair in a ponytail because her curls were driving her crazy. She put on jeans, a t-shirt, and nearly left the room with a different shoe on each foot. She had to double-check that her shirt was not inside out, but that was the least of her worries. The most important piece was the phone in her hand. The one Migs had given her in Vegas and pre-programmed with a number to call Garrison. It wasn’t a direct line he said, but she would get through to him.
After leaving a message for Migs’ handler, Ariana called Tessa while Drew made his own calls, one to his lawyers and another to Joaquín.
Their Expedition followed the patrol car that visited them in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
“I’ll meet you guys at the station,” Tessa said, her voice panicky. “I can drop Gigi off at Cesar’s mom … or—”
“Tessa,” she cut her off. Her sister-in-law was not in the right frame of mind to drive anywhere. “Stay put, okay? Listen to me. Pops and I have this.”
“But—”
“Call Mamá. She’ll need your help to keep the other Marias calm. Also, Abbi Mena.” Although Ari would bet their grandmother was the lake in all this. Ariana was surprisingly calm after she realized she had to step up. She was the one with experience dealing with visits from the police, especially after Drew told her what the situation was all about.
The narcos were smuggling cocaine in avocados? Would wonders never cease?
The cartels hired the best chemists. One would be surprised at the level of ingenuity that cocaine traffickers would come up with to circumvent the law.
Now they had a virologist, too. Her train of thought cut off when Drew cursed.
“Joaquín denies he did this,” he growled. “But I’m sure it’s him.”
“Why would he call the DEA on his own truck?”
“First, my nephew never saw eye-to-eye with Cesar. He’d always wanted me to hire someone from Michoacán to take care of the San Diego warehouse. And second, to show us who is in control of the business.”
“Which explains why he wants Cesar out.”
“Yes.”
“Will Cesar be okay?”
“My lawyer is on his way. He’s calling some contacts as well. This has all been a mix-up.” Drew cut her a brief glance. “Thanks for talking Delia out of coming along. The Marias need her. How’s Tessa?”
“I told her not to drive. Just call Mamá if she wanted.”
“How about the man you said can help?”
“I left him a message.” And fingers crossed, he would call back.
“That’s more than three million dollars of coke in that shipment.”
Ariana was reeling at the amount estimated by the DEA agent in charge at the San Diego police station.
“We had a warrant to search the premises and we’re holding them for possible possession.” The man in black who still had on face paint told them. His mouth tightened. “They’re not talking.”
“Didn’t you hear my father-in-law?” Ariana fumed. “This has all been a mix-up.”
“Just be glad we’re not arresting your father-in-law, too.” The man’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. You’re that Ortega’s sister, aren’t you?”
Uh-oh. Maybe it was a bad idea to come here.
“Yes. And Miguel Walker is my husband. Have you given him his phone call?”
When the DEA agent didn’t answer, she added, “You’re in violation of his rights.”
“Listen, lady.” The man stepped closer, his lips curled in a snarl. “He’s not under arrest. Yet. They didn’t ask for that phone call. And don’t think you can just come in here and make demands. I know exactly what your brother did and the many lives he ruined.” His eyes flashed to Drew’s and back to hers. “Maybe you have an outstanding warrant on you somewhere. And I’ll arrest you as well.”
“Don’t you dare,” Drew growled.
A similarly geared officer came up to them. “Call for you, Lenox. A Richard Grayson.”
Lenox smirked at Ari and Migs’ Dad. “That’s our DEA Division head honcho. Probably congratulating us on our haul.” He turned away from them and spoke into the phone the other man handed him.
“Sorry about this, Mr. Walker,” the officer said. “I’m sure we’ll have this sorted in no time.”
“Not a problem, officer.”
The man nodded and turned away.
“You know him?” Ariana asked.
“He’s the one who called me first. He’s a lieutenant with the SDPD and has been deputized into the DEA task force.”
Her phone buzzed.
She checked it.
Unknown number.
“I need to take this.” She hurried to the sliding doors. “Hello?”
“Ariana?”
“John! Thank, God!”
“Walker got into a bind didn’t he?” There was amusement in the other man’s tone. “Serves him right.”
“How can you say that?” How could he make a joke at a time like this. Migs’ family was worried!
“Maybe a night or two in jail would serve him right for stealing Andrade’s bride.”
“No stealing has been done,” she argued. “Can you do something? And … quick-like?”
“So demanding …”
“John!”
“I do miss your fiery attitude. Hope Walker is treating you right.”
“Can you do something?” She repeated, her patience running out.
“Already done.”
Click.
“John?”
He hung up. Arggh. When she turned around, Lenox was walking toward them, the face paint couldn’t disguise that he was pissed or ready to kill someone. He marched right up to Drew.
“Your son could have said he was working for the DEA.”
Drew’s pallor turned sickly white. “What?”
Lenox frown eased into a grin. “You didn’t know? Well, I’ll be damned. They’re processing him, your son-in-law, and the old guy. The driver will remain in our custody.” He checked his watch. “Guess it’s a good morning.”
Without another word, the DEA agent spun on his heel and left a stunned Drew staring into nothing.
Ariana didn’t know what to say, but her lack of reaction soon gained her father-in-law’s attention.
He exhaled in a resigned breath. “Did you know?”
“You need to hear it from him.”
“He’s been a federal agent all this time?”
“Drew …”
“DEA. God …” Drew pinched his brows. “I think I felt better when he was a mechanic.”
Ariana suddenly wanted the ground to swallow her up. Movement in the hallway caught her eyes, the purposeful strides of her husband heading their way gave her relief on so many levels.
That relief propelled her forward, partly because she wanted to get away from Drew, but mostly because she couldn’t wait to touch Migs again.
“Miguel,” she breathed.
She barely registered Cesar and Leon behind him as her husband swept her into his arms and kissed her deeply, ignoring the heckling at the reception area. The people around at four a.m. weren’t exactly the kind outraged by public displays of affection.
Tearing his mouth away, he growled, “Why are you here?”
“Where else should I be?”
“I left you safe in the house.” His jawline was taut, expression frustrated.
“I am not a damsel in distress.” She held up her phone. “You gave me this for a reason.”
His mouth twisted wryly. “So you saved our asses?”
“Damn right.” She was getting annoyed. She shouldn’t be annoyed. She just got him back! But husbands, apparently, could be infuriating.
“Son,” Drew called and Migs’ eyes shifted to his father. “Is there something you wanna tell me?”
“I don’t know how I can keep this from Delia.”
“Lenox has a big mouth. He shouldn’t have said anything to you.” Migs was driving them home. His father was in the passenger seat while Ariana and Cesar were behind them. Leon was sprawled in the third row. “You need to keep this from Mamá. Just a little while longer.”
“And the cartels?” Cesar asked. “How involved are you in monitoring them?”
Shit, he was so not ready for this. For one thing. He didn’t work for the DEA. Maintaining two covers was going to be a problem with his inquisitive family.
“I can’t talk about it. I won’t talk about it.”
“That tells me you’re in deep,” Drew said. “Can you at least tell me why? Is it worth it, son? Your mother sacrificed leaving her homeland for fear of her children getting embroiled in cartel BS, and yet here you are, eyeballs deep in that shit. At least, I think you are.” He paused. “Guess you know that, Ari. Is your marriage a sham?”
“Careful, Pops.” Migs voice was sharp. “My marriage to Ari is nobody’s business.”
“I beg your pardon,” Drew replied, tone just as sharp. “If any of the cartels find out you’re in league with the DEA—” his voice died and then, “Jesus Christ. Tell me you had nothing to do with Pepito’s death.”
Migs’ mouth flattened.
“Oh, Christ, son,” Drew whispered. “Jesus. That’s why …”
“This is not the time nor the place to discuss this,” he clipped.
A dead silence descended in the confines of the SUV. White knuckling the steering wheel, jaws clenched tight, Migs could sense his years of respite was at an end. His secrets. His guilt. After long moments of non-conversation, he said, “I think we need to focus on who’s trying to frame the Alcantaras for smuggling cocaine.”
“Joaquín denies calling this in,” Drew said.
“Pendejo,” Cesar spat. “He can deny all he wants. He wants me out.”
“I know you all think otherwise,” Leon said. “But it doesn’t make sense to me that it was him.”
“My take? It’s political,” Drew said. “The U.S. is cracking down on the cartels again, especially after that incident with Raul Ortega—no offense, Ariana—”
“None taken,” his wife replied dryly.
Leon was still playing devil’s advocate. “Your cousin has always played straight and maybe with the U.S. cracking down on the cartels, he wants to show the corporation’s commitment to fighting drugs.”
“Bullshit,” Migs growled. He was trying to look good in front of Mexico’s elite. “After you told me about his embarrassment at the society party, of course he had to save face. But throwing Cesar under the bus? Not cool.”
“Tessa is going to be pissed,” Cesar sighed. “She’s going to ask questions.”
“She can be pissed all she wants,” Migs said. “As long as she doesn’t get in the way of us finding out who’s using our trucks to move cocaine.”
“This is going to hit the news,” Ariana said. “Your company needs to release a statement.”
“Fuck, you’re right,” Drew groaned. “We have a good public relations firm.”
“I’m sure Joaquín can spin this to our advantage,” Cesar replied sarcastically.
“He said he’ll take full responsibility,” Drew said.
“I’m sure,” Migs muttered.
“I’m going to reassess security at the ranch and the warehouse,” Leon said. “I would appreciate some input, Miguel.”
“Sure.” They just passed the guard gate at the ranch. The villa was unusually lit with outdoor lights at five in the morning. The horizon was still a line of yellow over a dark blue sky. Tessa’s car was parked at the driveway and all the women were waiting for them.
“Not a word,” Migs reminded them. “I’ll tell them when the time is right.”
“Don’t wait too long,” Drew said quietly.
As they got out of the vehicle, Tessa went directly to Cesar, while Delia and the rest of his sisters came to him first. He didn’t answer their questions about what happened. He was itching to wash away the stench of that drunk tank the DEA stashed them in. When the women moved to Cesar and Leon, Abbi Mena was the last to greet him.
“We were worried,” she stated simply.
“I know. I’m sorry, abuelita.”
It must have been in his tone, the way he said the words, the way they meant more than the current situation that etched a sadness in his grandmother’s eyes. They needled the surface keeping the guilt in check and it threatened to bleed.
Ariana’s hand tucked into his, and just like that, the thorny ball in his chest slowly withdrew its spikes. There was a time to tell his grandmother. That because of Migs, her eldest son Pepito was killed.
But not today.
Definitely not today.
16
Ariana was helping the women prepare breakfast when Migs walked into the kitchen. He reminded her of a caged tiger, and it seemed taking a shower did nothing to chase away the thundercloud that had been hovering around his head since she’d met him at the station. He didn’t sit down to eat, but simply grabbed a breakfast bun and a mug of coffee before leaving with Leon to inspect the property.
“Ari, do you know what’s going on?” Bella asked her, no trace of her bubbly self in evidence. “I don’t know the whole story.”
“One of the trucks had cocaine,” Tessa said while bouncing Gigi on her lap. “I think Leon and Migs
are reviewing the security on the property.”
“It’s not safe here?” Cora asked.
“Of course it is,” Delia said confidently, sitting beside her daughter and tucking her hair behind her ear. “It’s just precautions. No one would dare harm the Alcantaras.”
“But Tio Pepito was killed by the Carillo cartel, right?” her daughter persisted.
“And they were dismantled four years ago,” Delia said. “That’s a lesson for the narcos to learn.”
“But they’re back and growing stronger,” Ari couldn’t help saying. “What if they want revenge for what was done to them?”
For the first time since she’d met Miguel’s mother, the other woman’s eyes turned to ice. “Do not frighten my children, Ari.”
“You cannot stick your head in the sand either,” she couldn’t help blurting out. “You’re so far removed from the brutality of the cartels that you’ve forgotten what they are capable of.”
“And you know this because of your brother, of course.”
“Enough!” Abbi Mena slammed the cover of the pot she was tending to and rounded the kitchen counter, standing in front of the farmer’s table and bracing her hands on its surface. “Things have changed, Delia. Almost a generation has passed since your Papá died. Many of the codes and customs people believed in have died with them. The narcos are fighting for control more than ever.” She turned to Ariana, the older woman’s eyes penetrating. “You have a point, but now is not the time to feed the fear.
“Look at them,” the older woman continued, pointing to Miguel’s sisters. “They have not experienced what you lived through. Delia moved them here to get away from it all, so I hope you understand why she wants to reassure them that their lives are not going to change.”
Ariana bit her lower lip. She wanted to say that the cartel had people everywhere.
“But they will,” Abbi Mena added as if reading her thoughts. “To what degree that will depend on what this family is willing to do at this time. It is a time for compromise. Not fighting.” She returned her attention to Delia. “Do not blame Ariana for her past. Unlike you, she had no choice—”
“I didn’t mean it—” Delia looked contrite.
Protector Of Convenience (Rogue Protectors Book 2) Page 15
