by Shaw, LK
I winked before closing the door on her wide-eyed expression. Chuckling at having the last word, I removed my uniform. I stowed my gun belt safely on top of my dresser and unbuttoned my shirt, my thoughts drifting to Estelle. I’d always considered her another sister. That was, until she turned sixteen. The memory of that day was still so vivid in my head.
I could hear the two of them giggling all the way from the bottom of the stairs. Good god, they were loud, and only getting louder as I took the steps two at a time on the way to my room at the end of the hall. Just as I reached Ines’ room, the door opened and a warm, soft body collided with mine.
Instinctively, I grabbed her hips to keep her from tumbling to the ground. My eyes met startled blue ones, and everything froze. It was as though time stood still while Estelle and I stared at each other. When did she become so beautiful?
She smiled shyly, her face a little flushed, but she didn’t look away.
“Vicky, you’re home!“
Ines’ excited scream jolted us back to reality, and my hands jerked away from Estelle like I’d burnt them on a hot stove. I shoved them in my pocket still feeling them tingle. Her expression faltered, but then she turned to smile at Ines like the connection we’d had was nothing. I pushed away the sting of it and forced myself to forget about how, for a brief moment, my world had shifted.
That was a lifetime ago. Now she was here, in my house, for who knew how long. I’d be a single room away from her night after night. No doubt tonight was only the first of many in which we’d run across each other in the darkness. I slid into bed cursing the fact that the one woman I shouldn’t be attracted to lay only a few feet away.
Chapter 3
With a groan, I slammed my palm down on the alarm clock, silencing the obnoxious noise. I'd borrowed it from Ernesto last night since I didn’t have my cell, and I had to make sure I got up on time for work this morning. I reluctantly crawled out of bed, not quite ready to start my day. It had taken me forever to fall asleep after my encounter with Victor last night. Hoping to avoid a repeat performance, I sent up a quick prayer, grabbed the clothes I’d laid out and my bag of toiletries. I cracked the door open to make sure the coast was clear. Then I hustled into the hallway before disappearing into the bathroom. After a quick shower, I dressed, and went back to my room for my messenger bag. Sounds of life floated through the air as I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“Good morning, mi burbujita.”
I smiled at the familiar nickname of “little bubbles”.
“Morning, Ernesto.”
Ines’ father was like a dad to me. More than my biological one ever had been.
“I made breakfast. Victor should be down soon.”
“Thank you, but you didn't need to go to the trouble.”
He shooed me over to the table and brought over a plate stacked with several homemade stuffed gorditas. I’d never be able to eat all three of them. No matter how delicious they were.
“I have nothing better to do this morning than to cook for a beautiful woman.” He flirted with a wink, one far more charming than his youngest son’s.
“Morning, Dad. Estelle.” Victor stepped into the kitchen wearing a tight, muscle enhancing white t-shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants that left little to the imagination. Not that I was imagining. I jerked my gaze away.
“Grab a plate, son.”
I met Victor’s eyes. He smiled smugly. Crap. Why was I even staring at him anyway? I shifted my eyes to my food and suddenly found the chorizo, potato, and avocado inside the small corn pocket extremely interesting.
“Pablo tells me they’ve put out another APB on Álvarez,” Ernesto said once he and Victor sat down to eat.
“Yes, sir. I also called Ines yesterday to let her know what happened. Of course she wanted to race back here, but I told her it wasn't safe. She and Brody will stay put for now.”
I set down my gordita. “I hate that she isn’t here, but I know how important it is that they stay out of Chicago.”
“If it is the cartel behind the attack yesterday, then the two of them definitely need to keep hiding out.”
“Morning everyone,” a loud voice called out from near the den. Ines’ brother, Manuel, came into view. “Looks like I got here right on time.”
He plucked one of the gorditas off Victor’s plate.
“Hey, asshole, get your own.”
Manuel only laughed. He rustled Victor's hair, who jerked away, before grabbing a plate and stacking it with more small hash pouches.
Ernesto shook his head at his son’s antics. “Doesn’t Marguerite feed you at home?”
“Of course she does, but I'm a growing boy who’s hungry again.”
“You’re thirty-five. Hardly a child,” Victor bit out.
I frowned at his tone. He sounded angry, and his fingers were threaded tightly together on top of the table. What was going on between the two of them?
“Doesn’t make me any less hungry.” Manuel sat to my left and, after a smiling greeting, dug into his food.
“Here,” I offered Victor the remaining gordita on my plate. “I can’t eat anymore, and I don’t want it to go to waste.”
He took it and finished the rest of the meal in silence while Ernesto and Manuel switched topics. Once everyone was done eating, I stood to take my plate to the sink.
Ernesto tutted. “Sit and finish your juice. I’ll take care of the dishes.”
“That’s hardly fair that you have to cook and clean. I may be here a while. I can certainly pitch in and help.”
He patted me lovingly on the cheek. “Today, you are a guest. You can help another day.”
Giving in with a sigh, I handed him my plate and sat back down.
Victor dug into his pocket. “Before I forget, I found an old cell phone you can use until you’re able to get a new one.”
He handed it to me.
“Thank you.”
“I’m going to run upstairs and get my keys, and then I’ll take you to work. We can get your car after, and I’ll follow you back here.”
“Are you not working?”
“Not today.”
“We’ll set up a schedule, so one of us will always take you to work and pick you up,” Ernesto added.
“If I have my own vehicle, why can’t I just drive myself?”
“Because hopefully, the police escort will make someone think twice about trying to grab you again,” Victor explained.
What he said made sense, but I wasn’t keen on relying on anyone. I’d always taken care of myself. I got a job the minute I was old enough to work. Bought my own car. My own house. Never once had I ever asked anyone for help. Having to do so now was like an itch I couldn’t scratch. It ate at me. “Fine.”
“If there’s no other objections, I’ll be back in a minute.” Victor disappeared out of the room leaving me with Manuel and Ernesto, whose forehead was crinkled and normally smiling lips were turned downward. He glanced in my direction, and shifted back into the oft-smiling man I was used to.
“You don’t have to worry about a thing Estelle. Victor will make sure nothing happens to you.”
I smiled at the pride in his voice.
“Thank you, Ernesto, I’m sure he will. I guess I better get going. Thank you as well for breakfast.” I leaned down to brush a kiss over his cheek, and his familiar woodsy and leather fragrance reminded me of some of the happiest times of my childhood.
I grabbed my bag and headed out to the living room to wait for Victor. Within a moment he was back downstairs.
“You ready?”
I nodded.
Once we were in his truck and on our way, I couldn’t hold back my curiosity.
“What was that little exchange back there with Manuel?”
Victor stiffened.
“I'm not sure what you mean.”
I stared hard at him, not believing his feigned ignorance. “You were overly annoyed with him. I’d even say pissed off.”
�
�I just don’t appreciate being treated like a child,” he said after a moment.
I studied him. He was serious. “How did he treat you like a child? He was joking and making fun of his never-ending hunger. Seemed like an ongoing joke between him and your dad.”
Victor's grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Never mind. You wouldn't understand.”
His body language—from his clenched jaw to his stiff shoulders—screamed the topic was over. He wouldn’t even look in my direction.
“Sorry. I didn't know it was a touchy subject.” Clearly I’d pushed a button.
Victor didn’t acknowledge my apology, just kept his eyes on the road. I sat back and, instead of making conversation, my mind drifted back to all the days, months, years even I’d spent at the Rodriguez house. I’d always envied the family’s close relationship.
While we continued driving in a now uncomfortable silence, I sent covert glances in Victor’s direction. He seemed to have changed. Become harder. Not just more muscular, although he was definitely that, but something else.
But one fact remained. No matter how much time had passed or how much he’d changed, he still made my belly flutter even if I wished he didn’t.
Chapter 4
I was annoyed with myself for even mentioning Manuel. What I’d said was true, though. He still treated me like a kid. Even more so now that Ernesto Jr. was dead.
“I’ll walk you inside.”
Estelle’s hand froze on the door handle, and she sent me a look I had trouble interpreting.
“Thank you, but you don't have to. It's not like anyone is going to try anything in broad daylight.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I’d rather play it safe.''
She remained silent for another moment and then shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
I stayed close to her and could see the caution in each step she took. Like me, her concentration was focused on our surroundings, searching for any disturbance in the air. My gaze darted back and forth across the parking lot, and my whole body was alert for anything out of the ordinary. Anything that seemed out of place. I didn’t relax my guard until we stepped inside. I stayed right on her heels as we entered her classroom. Miniature sized desks were lined up perfectly in rows, and bright, happy wall decorations almost hurt my eyes.
“Wow, it’s really…colorful in here.”
“What did you expect?” She laughed. “It's a room full of six year olds. They chose a lot of the decorations.”
Estelle deposited her bag on her desk. I observed her as she walked around straightening chairs and desks that were already straight and organized.
“I guess it’s been a while since I've been in a classroom.”
“Ten years isn't that long ago.”
“It feels like forever. So much has happened since then.”
“True. I never imagined we'd be here. Who would have thought, a year ago, that Ines would be in hiding with her lover because the Mexican cartel is after her, and I might need protection from them as well?”
I shuddered. “Don't ever use the words Ines and lover in a sentence together again.”
Estelle’s expression shifted into mirth. “Really? You’re weirded out by Ines and her lover?”
“You can be really aggravating sometimes. You know that, Bubbles?”
Her whole face lit up, and her eyes sparkled with laughter. My gut clenched at the sight.
“You’re such a baby. Ines is twenty-six years old. She lost her virginity a long time ago.”
Cringing, I plugged my ears with my fingers. “Jesus, that’s my sister. I don’t want to know anything about what she might be doing.”
Estelle rolled her eyes and started writing on the chalkboard. I glanced around once more and then looked out her classroom windows to observe the grounds. No suspicious shadows moved. No random vehicles that seemed out of place. All appeared as it should. The shrill noise of the school bell blasted through the air. My muscles twitched. The sound of feet running through the halls grew louder. The door to the classroom jerked open. I spun to witness several tiny humans enter.
“Good morning, Miss Jenkins,” several kids called out at once.
A complete change came over Estelle. A huge smile graced her face, and she appeared completely relaxed and happier than I could ever remember seeing her.
“Good morning.”
A light shone from her eyes as she watched them shrug out of their jackets and hang up their backpacks in small cubbies with their name’s written above each one. Slowly more students began filing in. Several students paused when they saw me, but otherwise ignored my presence. I felt a tug on my hand, and I glanced down to see the most adorable blonde-haired, blued-eyed girl staring up me.
“Whath your name?” she asked, her tongue peeking out between the space where her two front teeth were missing.
“Victor. What’s yours?”
“Thadie.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
Like a coquette in training she smiled and played with her hair.
“Thank you. Are you a dad?”
“No, I'm not a dad.”
Her face fell. “Oh, cuth I’m looking for a dad, and you look like you’d be a nithe one.”
“Sadie, honey, we talked about this, remember?” Estelle's gentle voice interrupted us. “You can’t keep asking people that.”
“I’m thorry Mith Jenkins.”
Estelle tugged the little girl to her side. “It's okay sweetie. Why don’t you go take a seat? Class will be starting soon.”
“Yeth, ma’am.”
Sadie moved away and sat down. Soon she was chattering away with the other kids at her table, apparently forgetting the conversation already.
“Well, that was interesting.”
“Sorry about that. Her dad ran off a few years ago and she’s fixated on finding a new one.”
“That sucks. She’s a sweet kid.”
Estelle’s eyes remained on her classroom. “They all are. I love each and every one of my students.”
I really studied her and saw the pride in her eyes. She had this glow in their presence. I’d never seen that before. Did she glow like that for her boyfriend as well? She never talked about anyone. Wait. Why did I even care?
It didn’t matter one way or another to me. I was merely a temporary fixture in her life until Álvarez was either locked away or killed. Personally, I preferred the latter considering the hell he’d put my sister through.
In the meantime, I’d protect Estelle with my life because she was Ines’ best friend. I ignored that tiny voice that called me a liar.
* * *
Shortly after the last student had arrived, I’d taken a final pass around the building and walked through the parking lot. I didn’t notice any new vehicles or anything that set off my internal alarms. Now I was parked next to Estelle's car waiting for her to come out. The door of the school opened, and I straightened from my semi relaxed position against my truck. She spotted me and waved. My heart picked up a beat. Keeping my eyes peeled, I met her partway.
“How was your day? Any meltdowns?”
“Only a minor one at lunch when someone didn’t want ketchup on their hamburger. How about you?”
“Mostly a quiet day. Dad and I made a few phones calls to some of our contacts, but their intel came up as empty as ours. No one’s been able to locate Álvarez. It could be months, years even, until the D.E.A. find him.”
“Months? Years?” Estelle choked out, her mouth hanging open.
“There’s a reason Miguel Álvarez was never charged with any crimes. The man is smart. He also knows how to stay hidden. At some point, though, his luck is going to run out. When it does, we’ll be ready.”
“I never expected it could be that long. I can’t stay with you guys forever.”
I laid my hand on her shoulder and my fingers tingled. “We’ll do the best we can, Estelle.”
She sighed. “I know. This is just never how I saw my life as being.”
We stopped at her car.
“I know, and I’m sorry. Look, I’m going to follow right behind you. Just to make sure you get home okay.”
“Okay, thanks. I guess I’ll see you when we get to the house.”
“Be careful and keep an eye out.”
Estelle nodded gravely before disappearing behind the wheel. Once I was in my truck, she pulled away. I stayed right on her tail. We hadn’t made it a few blocks before I noticed a black Mercedes in my rearview mirror. It stayed with us for several miles. Cursing, I snatched up my cell phone and made a call.
Chapter 5
Most of my day had been spent thinking about Victor. My concentration had been off. I’d forgotten a spelling test. I’d read the wrong chapter in our book during story time. More than once, a student had to call my name a couple times before I heard him. It had been weird having him in my classroom, my safe space, seeing an almost intimate part of me. I was decidedly uncomfortable, and I wasn't sure why. Actually that wasn’t true. It made me feel vulnerable. Exposed. I didn’t particularly care for the feeling. I heard an unfamiliar, high pitched ring, and flinched. It was coming from my bag. Scrambling, I dug through it one-handed, trying to keep my eyes on the road. Finally, I found it.
“Hello?”
“It’s Victor,” his tone was all business. “I need you to listen closely. I want you to take a left on Parson Road up ahead. Then I want you to make the first right and start heading toward the station house on Walton Street. I called my father, and he’s heading this direction.”
“What’s going on?” My voice trembled.
“I don’t know if it’s anything or not, but I’m not taking any chances. A vehicle has been following us for the last couple miles.”
“Oh, god.”
“Listen, everything is going to be fine. Just follow my instructions, and stay on the line.”
“Okay.”
I took the route he'd told me to, making sure I didn’t lose him. Nausea swept over me, and my fingers ached from the death grip I maintained on the steering wheel. Still, I tried not to panic. Victor wouldn’t let anything happen to me. My eyes constantly darted up to my rear view mirror confirming he was still right behind me.
