The attorney didn’t tell them anything they didn’t already know. Basically, Romero was screwed any way you looked at it. Since it was still the weekend, formal charges had yet to be filed, but based on the facts there was no doubt the DA wouldn’t file.
He explained to Romero what he might want to consider. If he was charged with felony assault, which was more than likely, they usually offered a deal that would save time and money. Plead no contest to a lesser charge like simple assault. It carried a smaller fine and less jail time. Since Romero had no priors, and he’d cooperated with the police at the time of the arrest, Nick said he’d probably be out in a month, but would be on probation for at least two years. That meant no carrying any weapons during that time.
Romero listened, his mind wandering back and forth, to what Nick said and what Isabel probably thought of him now. As serious as this was, his life—his career—was on the line here, all he could think of was what was he going to do without her?
“Will you pay attention?” Manny nudged him.
Romero snapped out of it, frowning. “I am paying attention.”
“I am paying attention,” Manny mimicked him. “He just asked you a fucking question.”
Romero stared at Nick blankly. “Say again?”
“Is there anyone that could testify on your behalf that this assault was provoked in any way?”
Isabel immediately came to mind. He’d already decided staying away from her would be the only way he’d survive not being able to be with her anymore. He was going to have Alex pick up his things for him as soon as he felt up to talking to anyone about it. “No.”
“Are you sure?” Max asked.
“Yeah, I’m sure. The guy pissed me off so I clocked him. Everybody there saw it. It’s why they arrested me.”
“That’s just it,” Nick said. “Why did he piss you off? If it’s a good enough reason it might be permissible to use as having been provoked. You might get off with just a fine, and paying for damages. And from what the report said this guy insisted when asked several times that he was fine. The judge could dismiss it all together. Stranger things have happened.”
Romero stared at him, the memory of last night coming back to him. He felt the heat rising in him again. “He was being an asshole.”
“The guy had his hands on Moe’s girl.” Manny glanced back at Romero. “Alex told us.” Manny turned back to Nick. “My boy has anger issues as it is. God forbid you so much as say anything bad about his girl, and the prick last night had his fucking paws on her.” Manny shrugged. “What are you gonna do?”
Nick jotted a few things down. “We might have something. You’ll probably be required to take a few anger management classes. But I may just be able to pull something off here. Not making any promises, but we’ll see.”
Manny and Max both smiled. When they got outside Romero turned to Manny. “Why do you do that, uh? Why do you tell people I have anger issues? You’ve done that my whole life.”
“Because you do. Look at the mess you’re in because of it. And if I hadn’t mentioned it in there it may not have sparked whatever idea he got. I helped you out, you fucking ingrate.” Manny shook his head and tossed Romero the keys to the car. “You drive, and you’re buying breakfast. After the night you put us through, it’s the least you could do.”
Romero took a deep breath. His whole life he’d been hearing his uncle talk about his anger issues like it was some kind of handicap. A handicap he’d hoped Isabel would never find out about. She’d witnessed it first hand last night, and just like he’d known she’d do all along—she ran the hell away.
***
Valerie came right over after Isabel broke down on the phone with her. Isabel insisted she didn’t have to but Valerie wasn’t having it. Isabel had been there countless of times when she gone through her roller coaster relationship with Alex. She even showed up with food from the restaurant.
“I had a feeling you probably haven’t eaten. I know you don’t when you’re depressed.”
As good as the food smelled, Isabel really didn’t have an appetite. Valerie had called her last night to tell her Romero was out and she’d waited for him to call. She couldn’t bring herself to call him. She remembered how possessed he’d been last night. She shuddered to think of what might’ve happened if all those people had not been there to stop him. He was probably still furious with her, and she didn’t blame him.
Last night had been horrendous. When she wasn’t lying awake crying, she was having a nightmare. In one of them, she’d seen Romero at the mall embracing and kissing another woman. She’d charged at them ready to attack the woman, but Romero had pulled the woman behind him and told Isabel he no longer loved her and to let them be. The entire dream, the woman’s perfume was everywhere, and so strong, it nearly suffocated Isabel so much so she coughed until she woke herself up.
“Do they know anything yet?”
Usually Isabel was the one that prepared the food but this time Valerie pulled out two huge burritos and fresh tortilla chips from aluminum containers of food she’d brought and poured them both soda. “Sit down, Isabel. You have to eat. I’ll tell you while we eat.”
Isabel sat down with Valerie at the small table, surprised that Valerie had anything to tell her. She thought Valerie would say she didn’t know anything it was too soon. “The last thing Alex told me today about it was that Romero was going to meet with his uncle’s attorney today. But his uncle called the guy last night and let him know what was going on. The attorney told him he could most likely be facing felony assault charges.”
Having a father who was a judge and siblings who were also attorneys, Isabel knew enough about the law to know that if convicted it would carry jail time. This could ruin him. She felt the wave of tears coming on again. Valerie rubbed her arm gently. “Isabel, they don’t know for sure. It all depends on the judge and he could try to fight it. Everyone there saw what an asshole that guy was. He obviously instigated it.”
“I instigated it.” Isabel didn’t fight the tears anymore. “I knew he’d react violently and I still went along with Michael’s flirting, because I was mad at Romero. Now he’s probably ruined his life.” Isabel buried her face in her hands.
Valerie stood up to hug her while rubbing her back. Suddenly Isabel had a thought and lifted her head, wiping her face with both hands. Her dad knew people. Maybe he could help. She knew he was mad last night but he’d never refuse to help his own daughter, especially if she begged. “I gotta call my dad.”
She stood up and rushed to the counter where her phone was, grabbing it. Valerie stared at her but sat down then began to eat.
Her dad answered on the first ring. “Daddy, I need your help.”
At first, her dad refused. They went back and forth for a while, and he was steadfast about not wanting to do anything for Romero. He said he deserved whatever they slapped on him. “Maybe it’s for the best if he goes away for a while.”
Isabel hadn’t even thought that far ahead. She was still holding out hope that they’d be able to somehow work things out and they’d be together again soon. She already missed him dreadfully. What if he did go to jail—for years?
“Oh, Daddy,” she sobbed. “I don’t know what I’d do.”
There was a silence on her dad’s end, then she heard him breathe. “Please don’t cry, honey.”
“You have to help him. It was all my fault. I’ll never forgive myself—”
“First of all,” His voice was strong and deliberate again. “if I hear you blame yourself for his actions ever again, I’m definitely not helping.”
Isabel breathed in deeply, feeling a sudden hope. “Okay, I promise I won’t anymore. What can you do?”
“I really don’t think I can do much. If the plaintiff, in this case Michael, insists on going forward with this, the DA has no choice but move forward and prosecute. You saw how angry Michael was last night, and although he didn’t want to admit it, his injuries were extensive.” Her father sto
pped and took a deep breath. She knew he must’ve been thinking about how crazed Romero had been again. “Honey, I can’t do anything about it unless Michael files an affidavit of non-prosecution. Normally, I would never advise anyone to this. It’s irreversible once filed. But most importantly, the DA could turn around and press charges on him for bringing false charges against someone to begin with. That’s where I’d be able to help. I could make sure that doesn’t happen. But the impossible part is going to be getting Michael to agree to something like that. He’d be a fool not to press charges.”
This time Isabel took a deep breath, once again regretting the decision she’d made last night on a stupid angry whim.
“I’m sorry, honey. Even though, I still don’t want that man around you or the family. You know I’d do anything for you but my hands are tied here.”
She thanked him, hung up and turned to Valerie. She thought about it before saying it but this might be the only answer. “I’m gonna have to go out with Michael again.”
Valerie’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious.”
“I have to, Valerie. It’s my only hope.”
*
After speaking with her father and finding a tiny glimmer of hope, Isabel had been able to finish at least half the burrito Valerie had brought her. Not surprisingly, Valerie had inhaled hers in its entirety.
She briefed Valerie about her plan to try and convince Michael to cancel the charges and made her promise not to tell Alex. Her only hope was Michael’s ego. It was as big as the ship he’d sailed in on. The papers had already reported that he’d been beaten to a pulp. For as much as he protested last night that he Romero hadn’t hurt him, she was sure he was none too happy about those headlines. Not only that, she was sure he’d love nothing better than to take another stab at Romero. And what better way than to steal his girlfriend?
As soon as Valerie left, Isabel pulled out the answering machine from a drawer in the kitchen. Since Valerie had moved out she didn’t need it anymore so she’d put it away but she’d never erased the message Michael had left her. After sifting through several messages before finally finding his, she fast-forwarded it not wanting to relive that horrible morning and how God-awful it felt to listen to him go on about their fantastic date while Romero’s accusing eyes burned a hole through her. She got to the part with his number and jotted it down.
She was beginning to think he might not answer, but then he did. She cleared her throat after hearing him say hello. “Hi, Michael.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry, who is this?”
“It’s Isabel. I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“Isabel.” She could almost hear the smile. “I’m great. Couldn’t be better.”
Purposely trying not to sound demeaning she asked, “How’s your face? It looked pretty bad last night.”
This time, he cleared his throat. “It always looks worse than it feels. But I can assure you, I’m fine. I’m glad you called though. You seemed pretty upset last night. I can’t say I blame you. Is he always that violent?”
Isabel closed her eyes. This was going to be harder than she’d thought. She had to make Michael believe she didn’t care for Romero anymore. “Sometimes. It’s why I’m considering breaking things off with him.”
“Considering? After last night, I would’ve thought you’d all but washed your hands of him. The man’s dangerous.” He paused before adding, “I mean for you, that is. You’re really selling yourself short with this guy, Isabel. You don’t deserve that.”
As tempted as she was to end the call now, her decision had been made. She wouldn’t back out now. Romero could go to jail because of her. She had to do this. “I don’t know. I’d been sort of considering it for a while now, then after seeing you last night… well I was thinking maybe we could get together and… talk.”
Michael jumped at the bait. “Absolutely. As a matter of fact, I was just thinking about what I could do tonight. I took the whole weekend off for Charles’ party so I have a free night.”
Isabel gulped. “Tonight works for me.”
After hanging up, Isabel stood there in the kitchen contemplating what she was about to get herself into. She wouldn’t even think about what Romero might say or do when, not if he found out. She only prayed this worked out so he’d understand why she had to do it.
CHAPTER 22
Little Moe
Nick said it may take a few days before they knew anything for sure. In the meantime, he was getting everything ready and told Romero to just go about his business, and stay out of trouble.
Romero took his uncles to Moreno’s for their Sunday brunch. He needed to talk to Alex. First of all, he wanted to find out if there had been any damage he needed to pay for. Then apologize for any trouble he may’ve caused.
Alex wasn’t there, only Sal and Angel were. He sat with his uncles for a while and ate, but he wasn’t feeling very hungry. Halfway through eating he walked over to where Sal was at the bar reading the paper again. He looked up at Romero from the paper and shook his head. “How you feeling?”
Romero shrugged. “Alright I guess.”
Angel walked up from behind Sal. “Dude. I heard about last night. How’s Isabel feel about all this?”
That dull ache had been present the entire morning. Even when he’d tried not to think of her. Romero wondered if it would be there permanently. It sure as hell felt like it. “I dunno. I haven’t talked to her.”
Sal lifted an eyebrow. “She’s that mad, uh?”
“I guess. Listen, I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble for you guys here. I just snapped. Let me know if you need me to pay for anything.”
Sal’s face screwed up then he laughed. “Only thing broken was that guy’s face.”
Angel laughed. “Yeah, I heard you fucked him up.”
As much as Romero wanted to smile about that, the consequences from it were too dire. At this point going to jail and losing his PI license came a distant second and third to his main concern. He was already feeling the withdrawal effects of being away from Isabel. Not wanting to talk about it anymore, he changed the subject. “Where’s Alex?”
Sal smirked. “He had a rough night last night, too. He’ll be in later today.”
“I need to talk to him.” Romero turned to Angel, remembering his wife Sarah was Valerie’s cousin. “Maybe you can do it for me.”
“I need to get all my stuff from Isabel’s place. But I don’t wanna do it myself.”
Romero saw the expression on Sal’s face go somber. “Seriously, that bad? You two can’t work this out?”
Feeling the ache even deeper Romero gestured toward the paper still in Sal’s hands. “That shit ain’t gonna blow over, Sal—not with her and especially not with her family. They didn’t like me to begin with.” He looked down and flexed his badly bruised knuckles, feeling a tightness in his throat he’d only felt a few times in his life. “I’m no good for her.”
A customer on the other side of the bar caught Angel’s attention and he walked over to see what he needed. Sal stared at Romero. “I think you’re wrong. Have you talked to her since last night?”
Romero shook his head, unwilling to speak, fearing the emotion he was feeling would betray him. He still stared at his knuckles; not wanting to even look at Sal.
“I’d talk to her, man. So you blew up. Alex said you had good reason.” Sal chuckled. “But then coming from another hot-head that doesn’t hold a lot of weight.” He seemed to wait for a response but Romero said nothing—he couldn’t. He was busy trying to swallow the softball-sized knot in his throat. “For what it’s worth,” Sal continued. “I think you two are good for each other. You balance each other out. And hey.” Romero finally looked up at him when he realized Sal wasn’t going to continue until he did. “Alex told me about all the bullshit that guy was yelling. You gotta know that’s all it was, right? He had to say something to try and make you feel as stupid as he felt. You beat his ass in
front of all his Navy buddies. He knew he ended up looking like the pussy who got his ass handed to him. I wouldn’t believe a word he said.”
Romero wondered if Alex had also told him Isabel had admitted to venting to him. And he’d seen the look on her face. Even if Michael had taken her words out of context, there was some truth to it. He didn’t even blame her. What kind of future could she look forward to with him?
Sal would never understand. No one would. His whole life he’d dealt with the inability to hold back what was on his mind, especially when he was mad, but with Isabel everything was magnified a million times over. All his emotions for her, including what he was feeling now, were so overwhelming there was no way he would get a hold on them. He stood up and glanced at Sal. He had to get out of there. “Thanks, man. Tell Alex I’ll be calling him.”
He walked away leaving Sal staring at him. The sympathy in his eyes made Romero feel even worse. Romero needed to distance himself from Isabel and the sooner the better or this whole thing was going to kill him. The only thing he cared about getting from Isabel’s apartment was his laptop. Everything else, he didn’t give a shit about. Even the laptop could be replaced, but there was client information on it that he needed secure.
Once he had that he’d walk away forever. Having the willpower to stay away from her was not going to be easy. Already he was tempted to go see her now. Maybe being locked up wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
***
Taking the chance of Romero showing up while Michael picked her up was out of the question. So she agreed to meet Michael at his hotel room. Originally, she’d planned to meet him somewhere safer and far less intimate, like at a restaurant where there was no chance he’d try to make a move, but he finally admitted that he wasn’t really feeling up to going out yet.
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