“You see, these men who destroy in the name of wealth and power will wither away, but it is good people like you who keep your faith in the Lord who will thrive. However, we must fight against this evil that threatens our cities, our children, and our livelihoods. Drugs and money are the products of evildoers and these men that I speak of, and many of you have heard their names, will be done away with. They come from prominent families and they threaten your very lives. It is time to take their power away and take back our beautiful country from such corruption.”
Miguel went on to speak in this manner for over an hour, quoting more verses, speaking of real situations caused by the implosion of drugs being funneled through the country. At one point, he went so far as to name the Espinoza family as being behind much of the corruption. He still had yet to name Javier as a culprit, but by the time he made his way to Mexico City he knew he would be able to do that as well. The people knew of whom he spoke. The implications made were not subtle.
After shaking parishioners' hands and speaking one on one with many of them, Miguel was escorted back to his hotel room where his supper would be brought to him and he could get a night's rest before leaving early in the morning for the next town. He sipped a glass of red wine brought to him by the man assigned to him as his bodyguard. He sighed heavily after taking a long sip and wondered if word had spread about his confrontational speeches. He felt certain that by the end of next week in Mexico City, his words would have spread throughout the entire country.
Julio also warned Miguel that his life might be in danger as he traveled the country. His remarks created great hostility and angered many influential people. But Miguel no longer feared reprisal, for with each sermon, his belief in what he was doing grew stronger. It no longer concerned him about whom he was speaking out against. The evil he wished to see destroyed was far more important.
*****
THE TEN DAYS THAT ALEX WAS AWAY FROM BELLA BEFORE Christmas were difficult, and not knowing if she would ever speak to him again made it more difficult. He didn't realize how close they'd become until they were apart. It was the first time he'd felt happy since before his mother died, and how quickly his mood had changed with her anger and fear. He had to do something to fix things between them and it had to be something big.
He knew that Antonio and Javier were pleased with his work. He'd become adept at laundering drug money through a local family jewelry business. He was also learning how to manipulate accounting procedures.
However, he also knew that Isabella wouldn't approve of these business dealings. He wrote her to say that he was raising campaign funds in the States for her father, who was considering running for President with the Partido Revolucionario Institucional, the leading Mexican political party. He didn't know if she would read his letter, but he sent it anyway. In it he apologized for the way he'd spoken to her, but told her that he still believed that she could walk. He told her how much he missed her and he prayed that they could continue their friendship. He hoped she would believe the lies he told about what he did for her father.
Javier was gaining favor with the elite as well as the population at large. Those in power were touting him as a man who would become the first president without any taint of corruption. His status as governor was also helping his political prospects. Things looked good for the coming election, but if Bella and the majority of the population knew the truth about Javier and Antonio's dealings, his chances of winning the election would surely diminish.
Alex enjoyed Bella's naiveté. It lent her a certain sweetness. But he also realized it could harm her in the long run. He wished he could tell her the truth, but that would be impossible if he wanted to keep seeing her.
Instead, he concentrated on his work and on finding a perfect Christmas gift for Bella. One that would please her so she'd have to forgive him and get over the argument they'd had. He was making great money working for Antonio and Javier and he'd been stashing it away. He knew exactly what he wanted to buy her, but he wondered if it was too extravagant. He decided to ask Javier, who agreed that the gift was a wonderful idea.
“Let me tell you, I don't think you have enough money to buy her a horse of the caliber she's used to,” Javier told him, when Alex phoned one evening from Los Angeles to discuss the prospect. He added with a chuckle: “And I understand she's quite angry with you.”
“Yes, well, maybe that will change with this gift. How much could a horse cost? A couple of thousand dollars?”
Javier laughed aloud. “My dear boy, you are streetwise, but there are some things that you're so ignorant about it's funny. I suggest that I buy her the horse, and you buy her a new saddle. We gave the saddle she used to own to the school after her accident.”
“Well, I... It's that I really wanted to buy her the horse.”
“All right. Let me put it to you this way, Alejandro. Do you have a few hundred thousand dollars to spare on a horse for my daughter?”
Alex's mouth fell open. “No, I didn't realize…”
“Of course you didn't. The gesture itself is quite noble. You must be falling pretty hard for my daughter.”
“I like her a lot, sir.”
“Of course you do. Your idea is brilliant, but I think I'll give you an early Christmas present. I'll buy the horse for Bella, and you buy her the saddle. I know you have your mind set on buying the horse for her, so I'm going to give you a list of some contacts I have in the horse business. You will have the joy of finding Bella the perfect mount. As soon as you think you've found it, give me a call and I'll wire the money. But trust me when I tell you that you don't have much time. You'll be booking a lot of flights, because when you're in the horse business, my boy, you have to play like the players.”
Alex wasn't sure what Javier meant, but he had the feeling he would soon find out. After getting the names and numbers he needed from Javier, he hung up, dazed by the conversation but excited all the same.
The search proved exhausting. After a week, Alex knew the difference between Holsteiners, Trakkheners, Thoroughbreds, and Selle Francais. He could distinguish between grays, bays, and chestnuts. He began to fancy himself quite the horse connoisseur. He flew from coast to coast, from Miami to the Hamptons, and back to California. After looking at some one hundred different show jumpers, he came across what he'd been searching for, a seventeen hands, bay Holsteiner mare. To Alex, she was the most exquisite animal he'd ever seen — amazingly powerful with big, sweet eyes that reflected a gentle spirit. She was six years old, and her potential was clear when he witnessed her rider sail over various jumps.
Alex knew this young mare was the right one and she had wonderful bloodlines. He got the selling price down to $125,000, and made arrangements to have her shipped from the Florida stables to her new home in Mexico. They paid extra to ensure the mare's arrival by Christmas.
He phoned Javier, who thanked him, telling him he trusted Alex's judgment; he would not need to fly up to look at her for himself. The money was transferred from a Swiss bank account to the owner's account, the transaction swift and neat, and Alex returned to Los Angeles. The mare was on her way to Mexico for Christmas. Alex, his heart filled with anticipation, followed close behind, leaving a disgruntled Hector in charge of operations. Alex felt guilty about leaving everything for Hector to do, but Emilio assured him that it would be all right for the holidays. This would be Alex's second Christmas without his mother. The year before he could barely recall, as his life had recently taken a new path, and he'd begun his studies. This Christmas he wouldn't need to study to escape from his pain of being without his mother over the holidays. This year he would be with Bella, if she would still have him, and thinking about her surprise gift warmed his heart.
*****
“HOW DARE YOU BECKON ME LIKE A SERVANT! WHAT IN THE hell do you want anyway?” Pedro bellowed at Emilio — whose eyes danced with amusement at Pedro's agitation.
“Well,” Emilio began as he paced across the floor of the suite he'd rented in
Miami Beach for the week, “It would appear, my friend, that you and I have some common interests.”
“I doubt that.”
“Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions.” Emilio shook a finger at him. “I guarantee you'll want to hear what I have to say.”
“I'm listening, but I don't have a lot of time,” Pedro replied, glancing down at his gold Rolex.
“Alejandro Peña is a thorn in both our sides.”
“I don't have any problems with Alex.”
“Right. You love seeing him with your precious Isabella. You're hoping the two of them will marry.”
“Bella's interest in the boy is over with. Besides, she is like my baby sister. I'm seeing someone else, anyway.”
“I'm dubious that she's lost interest in Alejandro so quickly. In six months time those two have gotten quite close. And you may have another woman in your bed, but I also know you covet Isabella Rodriguez as your own. And, that boy will not go away easily.”
“Fuck you.”
“No, fuck you, because if you were a real man, you'd admit that what I'm saying is true. You can't stand Alex. You can't stand him being near Bella. The thought of him touching her fills you with rage.”
“Shut up.”
“You wouldn't be so angry if what I'm saying weren't true.”
“I don't have to listen to any more of this.” Pedro stormed toward the door.
“No, you don't. But if I were you, I'd reconsider. Your secret is safe with me. I also know how to get rid of Alejandro for good. On top of that, I know how to wipe him from Bella's memory.” Pedro spun around. “I thought that would get your attention.”
“Why? What's your motive?” Pedro asked.
“Let's say, it's personal and necessary.”
“I think you're setting me up.”
“Think what you want, but I'm telling you, if we work together, we can eliminate that little thorn in our side. Why don't you take the time to listen to what I have to say? If it makes sense to you, we can pull that thorn free. If not, we'll have a troublesome sore for the rest of our lives.”
Pedro reached for the door, but something stopped him as he turned the handle. Maybe it was the image of that thorn constantly sticking into his flesh, infecting him from the inside out. Or maybe it was the image of Bella in Alex's bed. He stopped and turned around.
*****
JULIO SPOTTED HER BEHIND THE BAR. HE NEVER FORGOT A face, and there was something special about the woman who was filling up the blender of margaritas. He sat waiting for his DEA contact, who was late as usual. Julio smiled at the bartender as she poured his margarita. After his meeting with the agent was over, he'd work on her for a while to see if he could convince her to spend the evening with him.
An hour passed. No DEA contact. The pretty bartender came over. “Can I get you another drink?”
She didn't look him in the eye.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, you can.” It suddenly hit him who she was. She'd aged somewhat. But since he was a man who never forgot a face, he knew when and where he'd seen this one, years ago. He was trained to remember faces.
Luck had struck him like a club on the head. He was looking at the face of Lydia Espinoza. He'd seen her in the society columns, had even met her at a party where he parked cars when he first started working with the DEA. It had been his first assignment to scope out the cars that the money men drove. He came up with a few tidbits, but more than anything, he'd remembered Lydia Espinoza's long legs stepping out of a black Mercedes.
He couldn't believe it. When he'd read of her death, he actually felt a sense of sadness, along with horror at the fact that someone so young and beautiful should suffer such a tragic death. But she hadn't died. Here she was in the flesh. It had to be her. And thus, the false reports of her death had to be the doing of Antonio.
He wasn't sure how he was going to approach her, but he knew that she was Lydia Espinoza and that he could pump a lot of information out of her. When she brought the drink over, Julio forgot all about the agent who'd stood him up. Instead, he concentrated on his newfound gold mine.
“Why don't you sit down and join me for a drink?”
“No, thank you. I've got to work anyway.”
“When do you get off?”
“I don't know.”
She was curt and cold and he wasn't sure how he'd break her, but he would. He took notice of the cross around her neck.
“I'll wait.”
“No. I'm not interested.” She wiped down the counter and turned her back to him.
“You go to church?”
She didn't answer.
“Catholic?”
No response.
“My uncle was a priest. Good man. I miss him. I loved the church. I still do. I travel a lot though, and so I go when I can.”
She turned around and this time looked at him. “What do you do?”
“I actually do some work for the government and the church. I'm involved with Father Miguel Diaz. You may have heard of him.”
There was a hint of recognition in her eyes and a pained look on her face. She immediately regained her composure and nodded.
“We're on a crusade to save this country from the filth that has invaded it. The drugs, those in power with all the wealth, the violence. I'm certain you know what I speak of.”
She turned away from him again. “I live a simple life.”
“Most of us do or try to, but with the greedy and evil amongst us, it's all we can do to maintain a simple life. Many of us never seem to get our fair share.”
“I wouldn't know about that. I keep to myself.”
“Yes. Well, I must be going. If you're interested, I'll be at mass this evening at Our Lady of Guadalupe. I would love to see you there.”
She didn't respond and Julio walked out of the bar, knowing that even if Lydia didn't show up at mass tonight, he'd gotten under her skin. And in the days to come, she would prove to be a wonderful ally.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE DAY AND SOON BELLA WOULD receive Regala. The mare had been delivered in the early hours of the morning from a nearby stable where she'd been cared for a day until her unveiling. Javier had picked Alex up, and together they'd gone to inspect the new horse. Javier seemed duly impressed.“Quite a job you've done, my boy.”
“Thank you,” Alex replied. “I looked at a lot of horses, Señor Rodriguez. A lot of horses, but the minute I saw her, I knew she was the one for Bella.”
“Did you get the saddle to go along with her?”
Alex nodded. Not only had he bought Bella a saddle, but the saleswoman in the tack shop had also sold him every conceivable accessory. Regala had new day sheets, winter blankets, fly masks, bridles, and halters — anything and everything that a horse and rider might need. Alex had spent a good portion of his recent earnings on these gifts for Bella. But she was worth it.
Before the others arrived for the evening, Javier urged Alex to go and see Isabella. She was seated in the courtyard, wrapped in a shawl. A breeze tousled her hair. She was reading a book when he came upon her.
She flinched as he surprised her. “Hello,” she said coolly.
“Hi. I want to tell you again how…”
She held her hand up. “I know that you're sorry, and you were right. Everything you said to me that day was right. And, I'm sorry that I wouldn't try and that I said those things to you.”
Alex placed a finger on her lips. “No more apologies. Let's move on.”
She nodded. “Let's move on.”
Alex kissed her hand and then her cheek. He wiped the tears from her face. “Come on, the rest of the family should be arriving soon.”
“Family?” Pedro asked, walking up behind them. “Who are you calling family? If I remember correctly, this is not your family. You work for the family, but this isn't your family.”
“Pedro,” Bella scolded. “Don't speak to him like that.”
“Bella, can't you see what he's trying to do to y
ou? You wanted no part of him two weeks ago and now he manipulates his way back into your life. Are you blind that all this man wants is to be a part of this family for the wealth and the power? He doesn't care about you.”
Alex clenched his fists. “You son of a bitch. That is a lie.”
“Alex,” Bella pleaded.
“That's enough.” Javier had come into the courtyard upon hearing the men's raised voices.
Pedro glared at Alex and pointing at him said, “He's a weasel, a rotten weasel and he will ruin this family. If he is staying here for Christmas, I'm leaving until he's gone.”
Javier crossed his arms and glared at Pedro. “Then, I suppose you better go ahead and leave.”
Pedro stormed away. Javier put an arm around Alex. “I'm sorry. I didn't know he felt threatened by you. I'll speak to him. Now leave this bad business behind and come inside. I can see that you two have done away with your problems. That's wonderful.”
With Pedro gone, and the welcoming arms of Javier and Isabella that received him, Christmas Eve was perfect. The house was decorated in traditional Christmas colors, candles lit the rooms, and the scent of pine and holly rod filled the air. Antonio, Rosa, and Felicia had flown in to join them for the holidays. This pleased Alex. He felt he really had a family.
Shortly after dinner, Antonio asked Alex if he'd like to take a walk with him. Alex looked at Bella, who was seated on the couch, gossiping with Rosa. Felicia had gone to her room to watch television. She was sullen and unhappy for some reason. Javier, who truly loved the magic of the holidays, was off in the kitchen, making preparations for the next day's feast. He always cooked Christmas dinner. It was customary for him to allow the servants time off, and he worked nearly twenty-four hours to see that his grand presentation turned out perfectly — a ritual that had always endeared him to Cynthia.
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