Placing her face in her palms, Bella cried uncontrollably. “I can't believe this. Why? Why would he do this? Did my father order this? Is that why? I know that everything you say you do with my father, everything Alex has tried to tell me that all of you do for him and Antonio is legitimate, but I have ears and a brain, and I no longer believe you.”
“Bella, that may be so. You will have to speak to your father on these issues. I feel you should be more aware of what goes on in this family and business. If it were my choice you would know everything.” He took her hand. “But I know that your father had nothing to do with this, or Antonio either. Alex was pathologically jealous.”
Emilio interrupted as he entered the room. He'd arrived that morning. He walked over to Bella and placed a hand on her shoulder. He stood above her in an authoritative manner. “I believe there was a side to this young man you were quite unaware of. He hated the thought of your being close to any other man — even one whom you thought of as your brother and friend. Even a priest.”
“If that's the truth, then why do this almost in front of me? If he was so jealous and did this out of love, why so brutal and why while I was there?”
Pedro nodded his head in agreement. “That is a good question. It troubles me, too.”
Emilio shot him a grave look.
“However, it is possible that he's plain crazy, and had it in his mind to rid you of all the men in your life, even including your father and myself. Are you aware that his mother was killed in Los Angeles a couple of years ago? She was shot down. They never found the killer and at the time Alejandro was nowhere to be found. It is possible that this boy has kept his dark side hidden so well from us that we were all fooled by him. I truly believe him insane.”
Bella shook her head. “That is ridiculous,” she exclaimed. “Are you implying he murdered his own mother? I cannot believe or listen to any more of this.”
“It's true,” Pedro said.
“I'm going to see him.”
“No!” Emilio ordered her.
“I'm going, Emilio. I have to talk with Alex.”
Emilio paced the floor, the oak planks creaking beneath his heavy feet. He shot Pedro a glance, then turned and left the room.
“If you insist on going, I'll drive you,” Pedro said. There was no way he was going to allow Bella to see Alex without him there, and by the look in Emilio's eyes, he knew that they would have to make certain that Bella accepted their lies.
*****
THE HORRENDOUS CRIES ESCAPING FROM THE PRISON CELLS pricked Bella's nerves. Already distressed over Miguel's murder and Alex's imprisonment, the disturbing sensation she felt as Pedro rolled her along those cold corridors assailed even the marrow of her bone.
A prison guard, who looked as if he'd been stuffed into his uniform, came around behind the chair after he explained to Pedro that only one of them at a time could see Alejandro.
The guard escorted her into a small room, where she was told Alex would be brought to her. “Usually we don't allow anyone to see the prisoners. But since you're the governor's daughter, well…”
“Thank you for your cooperation.” Bella had telephoned the prison before they left and insisted she be able to speak to Alex. She even offered a bribe if necessary.
Once inside the room, she sat in one of the chairs at opposite ends of a small wooden table. It was dank, and smelled worse than a trash bin. Alex was led in, shackled on his feet, his arms handcuffed in front of him. His head was down, but when he raised it, he looked straight into her eyes. She gasped. She could see that he'd been badly beaten. Dried blood trickled down his chin. His right eye was swollen closed and purple, the other one half closed and bloodshot. His face was bruised almost beyond recognition.
“My God!” Bella exclaimed.
“Shhh,” he said. “I'm all right.” The guard shoved him down into the chair opposite her. She got up to go to him.
“No,” The guard ordered her. “It is against prison rules.” She sat back down, not taking her eyes off Alex. She nodded at the guard, who turned to leave the room.
“I'll be right outside,” he told her.
She couldn't say anything at first, her mouth gaping open.
“I must look pretty bad?” he asked.
“Oh, Alex does it hurt?”
“I'm fine.” He winced.
“The police? Did they do this to you?”
He nodded.
“Look at me, Alejandro. We don't have much time I know what I saw. My brother…” She choked on her words. “Did you do that? Did you kill him?”
He shook his head. “No.” He looked up at her. “I love you, Isabella. You have to believe me.” Although he'd never uttered those words aloud, he'd thought about his feelings for Bella quite a bit the last two days, and what had occurred, brought him to the need to voice it. If she heard him say it, then maybe it would make things right between them. Maybe she would believe him. “I would never do anything to hurt you. I know how much you loved your brother. I couldn't kill him or anyone.”
Bella closed her eyes, tears coming down her face. “Then how? Who?”
“I don't know. You have to believe me. Someone set me up.”
“The knife? Your knife?”
“Those kids, when we were walking to meet your brother, I think one of them took it. The knife was in the room when I went in. On the desk. I swear.”
“Am I to believe a child did that?”
The prison guard opened the door. “Your time is up. Say goodbye.”
Bella unlocked the brakes on her chair. She rotated it toward the door.
“Tell me that you believe me, Bella. Please, you have to help me.”
Not looking at him, she said, “I don't know what to believe.”
Pedro was right there to take the handles of the wheelchair and escort her out of the prison.
She wanted to believe Alex. Needed to, but the proof and now the story of the children. Maybe he was crazy as Pedro suggested. Her mind understood that possibility, but her heart would never accept it.
*****
WHEN ANTONIO HEARD THE NEWS THAT HIS SON WAS imprisoned for murdering Miguel, he immediately cut short his trip in Europe, where he and Javier had been meeting with a group of wealthy and powerful Germans who were eager to do business with them instead of with the Italian mafia.
On board the jet, Javier poured himself his third large shot of tequila and offered some to Antonio, who refused. “I cannot understand this. First of all, why would Alex take Bella to Mexico City without speaking with one of us? I want to kill him for that alone. Why would he murder Miguel? You must imagine how this will look to all of those he'd been spreading his rhetoric to. Once the connection is made between Alex and you and then possibly me, it will be bad. Pedro has told me that Bella was witness to the carnage. For God's sake, he didn't just cut his throat; he pulled his tongue through the back of his head! What kind of man did you bring on board our operation?” Javier shot back the booze and slammed his hand against the tray in front of him.
“That man is my son.”
“What if he's not? It may not be so. Have you considered this?”
“Alejandro is my son. Marta was his mother. Look at the boy and you know he's mine. I told you he was mine and that's the end of the discussion.”
“Maybe Alejandro knows you're his father. Maybe this is his revenge. Could he want to destroy this operation, this business, your family and mine out of his hatred for you? What if he knows? It would make sense.”
“He doesn't know.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
Antonio glared at his lifelong friend. “Because I know.” He thumped his chest. “I also know he didn't murder your stepson. The boy is not a killer. He has his mother's heart.”
Javier was not convinced as he poured himself another drink. He'd known Antonio since they were boys and he knew that what existed in the man's heart was not always good. He could kill without thought. He ordered people to be
sent to their graves on a regular basis. How could Antonio expect Javier to believe that if it was true that Alex was indeed the man's son, that the boy would not be like his father?
Afraid to further press the issue with an already cross Antonio, Javier remained quiet for the rest of the flight home. A thought crossed his mind several times on the way back to Mexico, and upon seeing his distraught daughter and hearing her cries, this thought, he knew would have to put into effect. It was time for him to part ways with his best friend and partner Antonio Espinoza.
****
AFTER FLYING FOR FIFTEEN HOURS, ANTONIO HAD HIS driver take him straight to the prison in Mexico City, where Alex was being held. Javier had gone to the hotel to see Isabella.
“Alejandro Peña is not allowed to see visitors.” The warden met Antonio at the entrance. He was a tall man, slight in build, with narrow dark eyes, and greasy hair. His eyes seemed to nearly close as he spoke.
Antonio immediately sized him up as a miserable functionary. “I believe you will allow me to see him.”
“No, Señor, as I have already explained, no one is allowed in to talk to him.”
Antonio got in the man's face and stared straight into his eyes. “My name is Antonio Espinoza. Does that name mean anything to you? Because it should. I am allowed to see Señor Peña. Odd, but people who give me a difficult time always have such terribly bad luck. I would certainly regret your having bad fortune the rest of your life.”
The warden's hands shook as he nodded his head. He turned around, and motioned for Antonio to follow him. When they arrived at the small interrogation room and Alex was seated across the table from him, Antonio was shocked to see the cuts and bruises on Alejandro's face and noticed that he looked much thinner than he had ten days before, when Antonio had left for Germany.
“My God. What have they done to you?” Antonio blurted.
“Tried to kill me,” Alex answered in a weak voice that sounded as if it was coming from a broken heart.
“I know you didn't murder Miguel.”
“You're the only one who does.”
“And the murderer, of course. Do you know who that is?” Antonio placed his hands on the table.
“I don't know.” Alex looked away from Antonio.
“Are you positive?”
“Yes. I know, or I think that the man who was supposedly his bodyguard was involved.”
“Do you know the man's name?”
“No.”
“I'll find out. I'm already working on getting you out of here. Whoever did this to you probably would go so far as to have you killed, if needed. With me, you'll be protected. You stay here and I'm certain that you'll die.”
“But how? There is no way they're going to let me out. The entire country is seeking my blood.”
“There isn't anything money can't buy. Including innocence.”
“But I am innocent.”
“I know that. If I didn't think you were, I might let you rot in here. Killing a priest is a terrible sin, indeed. I wouldn't want to be any part of that. If things go the way I want them to, you will be out of here in forty-eight hours. No trial. Nothing. You will be vindicated on all charges.”
“Can we keep this quiet?” Alex asked.
“We'll have to, for awhile.”
“Good.”
“Stay careful and awake. I have a lot of work to do. I'll be back tomorrow. Don't worry, though. No one is going to hurt you anymore.” Antonio walked over and placed his hands reassuringly on Alex's shoulders.
*****
“BELLA, I LOVE YOU AND I WANT TO MARRY YOU. I PROMISE that I'll take good care of you,” Pedro beseeched her, knowing that time was of the essence. With the return of Javier and Antonio, Pedro felt the chase of fear in his stomach. If they knew what he and Emilio had done, they would be killed.
After Javier had shown up at the hotel, Pedro played it like Emilio had told him to. Emilio had promised Pedro that he would get Bella, and in return Pedro would help in handing over the business to Emilio. This part had not been as difficult as Pedro thought when Emilio suggested it.
“Once Javier is there, tell him that you think maybe it would be best for him to sever ties with Antonio. That if the people of the country wanted someone to blame and started looking into Alex's ties, then it would all come back to Antonio and not Javier.”
Javier had said that it was already a consideration.
Now all Pedro had to do was convince Bella that he was the right man for her. Once this was all behind them, he would take her back to France where she loved the country and they could have a different life than what they'd been leading in Mexico. By taking her there, she would never find out the truth about Miguel's death. It was something that still pained Pedro. He hadn't liked Emilio's idea, but he'd gone along with it, seeing that the ends did justify the means. He'd done as Emilio advised that day at the outdoor café in Los Angeles.
“I've already spoken to the man who is Miguel's bodyguard. Seems his loyalties can be swayed with the right amount of money. You're to take one hundred thousand American dollars in cash, which I have right here.” Emilio had patted a leather briefcase, next to him.
Pedro set down his cola. “Am I to buy Miguel's death?”
“No. You're to buy Bella's love and your freedom from the nuisance that has been infiltrating your family. Alejandro will have that knife he always carries, the one Bella gave him. I have already instructed the bodyguard on how to handle the entire situation. All you have to do is take the money to him.”
“Why can't you do this?”
“I have other business to conduct. As you are putting your plans into action, I have some things to do here to make sure my future goes as planned.”
“I don't know. I don't like having Miguel murdered.”
“What will you hate more? Isabella with Alejandro's ring on her finger? He will marry her if you don't do this. Can't you see the way they look at each other? Don't be a fool.”
Pedro had taken the money and flown to Mexico City that evening, where he met with the man who had been Miguel's bodyguard and gave him the money. He would be damned before he'd let his princess marry a hoodlum like Alex, even if it meant shedding the blood of a man he thought highly of.
And now Pedro heard his Bella say,” But Pedro, you're like a father or a brother to me, not a husband. I can't marry you.”
“In time you will learn to love me that way. And until then, we don't need to be physically intimate, if that's what you're worried about.”
She blushed and looked away. “I can't walk. You wouldn't want me as a wife.” She couldn't believe what he was suggesting. She was trying to make excuses and be kind to him, but the thought of being his wife was upsetting. She had no idea he felt this way about her. She hoped her father would hurry back from the hotel restaurant where he'd gone for a cup of coffee.
“Stop that. I've seen you with the physical therapist and I know you've been holding out on your family.”
“You've been spying on me?” Anger welled inside her. She had been taking a few steps here and there with the therapist, but she had made her promise to keep it from her family. She wanted to surprise her father on his fiftieth birthday, which was only a couple of weeks away.
“Of course not. I saw one day when I was taking a walk through the garden. I didn't say anything then because I know you, and I knew that you would want to be the one to tell the family. I'm sorry.”
She studied him and continued to listen.
“I will take care of you. You know I will. Your father would be so pleased.”
“No. I don't want to marry you. I can't think of you like that.”
Pedro's face turned an angry red. “Are you still thinking of Alejandro? Let me tell you, Alejandro is going away for a very long time, for the rest of his life, if they don't put him to death first. He killed your brother. He is a beast, an insane beast. You don't love him and he never loved you. Get him out of your head. You will be happy with me. Don't
be foolish.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Yes?” Bella asked.
“It's your godfather.”
“Go and let him in,” Bella ordered Pedro.
He walked to the door and as he opened it to let Antonio in, he turned back to her before walking out. “You don't have to make a decision right now. Think about it. I know how unhappy you've been lately.”
“What was that all about?” Antonio asked after Pedro left the room.
“Nothing.”
“Would you care to join me for a walk? I think we have something to talk about.” Antonio asked.
Bella nodded and left the hotel with her godfather, hoping he would have the answers she was looking for.
*****
JULIO MOVED LYDIA INTO THE STUDIO HE'D RENTED IN downtown Calí, within six weeks after meeting her. At first she'd been cold and difficult. But he'd found common ground in talking with her about her faith. And now, he knew more about this woman than any other he'd ever met. Their faith was a common ground. But they'd found a passion in each other that, although many would have considered it sinful, they'd found it heavenly.
After not having been with a man for eleven years, Lydia craved him by her side. She matched his insatiability perfectly.
One night lying in bed after making love, Julio began to question her about her background and where she was from. They'd had several cervezas and he'd told her he loved her. She hadn't replied, but he didn't expect her to. Instead she told him about her life and what had happened to her over the last ten years.
Chills & Thrills: Three Novel Box Set Page 40
