by AJ Adams
Millie gulped. “Ohmigod,” she whispered. “Nats, what are you saying?”
The silence stretched to screaming point.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Scott was loud but white-faced. “You can’t scare me!”
“Good. I see no need to make this more difficult than it is.” I gave him my best cold stare. “You said it yourself, Scott. I do what it takes to keep my family safe. And right now, you’re the threat.”
At this, Quique made his move. The Magnum in his hand looked like a cannon. “Come on. It will be quick.”
His voice was soft, just a whisper, but Scott began to shake. “You can’t! You can’t do this!”
We didn’t say a word. We just looked at the monster. He'd torn lives apart, but now he was cornered.
“There’s a dozen people here,” Scott blustered. “They’re all witnesses.”
“So they are. The thing is, I’ve changed. I’ve learned something, Scott. There’s no justice for people like us. So I no longer play by the rules. I do one thing and one thing only: I protect what’s mine.”
The Zetas were nodding, black eyes intent. Scott was remembering the thirty bodies. He knew this was the end of the road. He'd overreached himself. My family were thinking, too.
“If it’s him or my son, I’ll take Scott for a walk myself,” Bobby said.
“I’m not having Delicia put in care,” Millie bristled.
“I was with Nats the night the Twittertons were killed,” Suzie said defiantly. “We were doing our toes.”
“Yeah, I picked my wife up well after midnight,” Roger added pugnaciously.
Scott swallowed convulsively, knowing he was an inch away from death. “I’ll write a confession!”
“No dice. Nobody cares about your dirty dealings. Gossip and vandalism don’t stack up against murder.” I got to my feet. “Come on, let’s go.”
The Zetas loomed, and Scott was squealing. “It was I who stole the money, not Liz! She killed herself because of me!”
I rolled my eyes. “We all know that, Scott! It’s too vague. Especially as Smith wants me more than you.”
"I'll tell you everything! You'd own me! I can be useful!"
“Actually bruja, if the hijo puta confesses, we might have a use for him.” Quique came in on cue. “We often take out insurance in this way.”
I deadpanned. “You do?”
“Sure, and we can always do with a pet banker.”
“I’ll do anything you want!” Scott said quickly.
“We’ve James to check the legalities,” Quique added.
“It’s intimidation, and there are too many witnesses.”
Millie got up. “Come on, Bobby! Time to open the Black Horse!”
As one the family got to their feet. Frank was hesitant, though. “Nats, we can’t leave you to fix this. It’s not fair.”
I gave him a hug, whispering, “We’re going to tie this fucker in legal knots, and then he walks out. Promise.” I thought of the weeks of misery we’d gone through and of the poor girl who’d killed herself. “But to be honest, we’ll beat the hell out of him, too.”
Frank smiled. “Yeah, which reminds me.” He stood up, nodded at Quique and then punched Scott in the gut. He got him beautifully. Scott went down with a gasp of pain. “Scott, you’re a minging twat. Stay away from my family.”
Frank smiled at the Zetas. “Afterwards, come for a beer.”
He left, and we were alone with Scott.
“Nicely played,” Quique was looking around, smiling nastily. “Getting rid of the witnesses was ace. We’ll fake his signature on a confession, and we'll tell them he must have run away, from fear.”
At this, Scott gulped. I was remembering Sooty, and I know he was, too.
"I can fake the documents," James volunteered. "I'll make it look like he was filled with remorse. They'll think he did away with himself."
"Excellent," Kyle was holding up a wicked looking blade. "They won't find enough of him to prove a thing."
“Small pieces is best,” Jorge growled. “He’ll fit into three sports bags, right?”
“If we chop small, sure,” Quique agreed. “Have you got a sheet of plastic, Natalia? We don’t want to make a mess of your carpets when we take him apart.”
Scott fainted.
Chapter Twenty-Five: Quique
Natalia blew me away. She went in with nothing more than a feeling that Sheep-eyes was a vicious beast, and she pushed him around neatly until he gave us the goods on himself. We'd not known he'd set that girl up, but by the time she was finished, he was awfully keen to give us all the details.
As he wrote, pages and pages of hurried confession, James made sure he gave us chapter and verse on how he'd tried to scare Natalia before finally framing her and then trying to convince her ex to take the blame. By the time the hijo puta was done, all of us were raging.
"We should take the fucker out," the boss growled. "He's pure poison."
"Yeah," Jorge was nodding. "There's a basement being poured tomorrow. He'll fit in nicely."
The coward was listening in and crying. "Look, I can help you! I can launder cash for you!"
That's typical. Cowards who target women usually collapse at the first threat. I had no respect for the fucker, none.
"I agree that we'd be better off without him," Natalia said, "but if he disappears, my family will feel guilty. I can't have that."
"Bruja, we understand and respect that," I assured her.
"Absolutely," the boss agreed.
"I'll go upstairs to say hello to old Joe while you talk things over," Natalia was being thoroughly sensible for once. "Call me when you're done."
So the hijo puta lived, although after what Natalia called a "talking over"—which involved a lot of screaming from his side of the conversation—we had to carry him down the stairs. We dumped him in the trash on the principle that it was where he belonged. He was quiet by then, moaning a little but not really conscious. We'd given him a beating that would put him in hospital for six weeks or maybe eight, depending on how fast his bones healed.
"It's not really enough," the boss mused.
"Yeah, but I don't want to upset Natalia," I told him. "I'll come back in a few months and arrange for a road accident."
"No need. I'm all over it," Jorge growled. "What kind of hijo puta takes revenge on a woman? And that threat to put her little niece into care—he deserves to die!"
"He's scum," Pedro Rojo agreed. "Come on, let's go and have a beer."
We collected Natalia and went to the Black Horse. Her entire family were there and all the regulars, including Angus, the dog.
"Nats, you're back!" Delicia, the chiquitína, flew across the room and launched herself at Natalia. "Oh, we missed you so!"
Of course my girl was in floods, and a minute later there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
"A round on me!" Bobby, her ex-suegro was trying to make up for being such an asshole.
"We got you a pork pie," Millie said nervously, "and some pickled eggs. We thought you might not have those in Mexico."
The bruja was smiling, but I know her better than I know myself, and I could see tension in her shoulders. It took me a few minutes to figure it out, and then it hit me like a brick: having seen her in action, the family were frightened of her.
"Bobby is going to counselling," Millie said carefully.
"Yeah, I agreed yesterday," Bobby agreed quickly. His eyes softened as they fell on the chiquitína. "Delicia begged me to."
"Good," Natalia was brisk. "It's about time."
"Erm, Nats, I don't want to interfere," her ex twitched nervously, "but what happens now?"
Natalia looked blank. "Nothing. I mean, we just go on as usual."
"Do you want us to sell the pub?" Bobby asked.
"Dear lord, how would I know? It's your business, not mine!"
"We just meant that if your friends wanted more than a partnership," Roger began.
Natalia willed herself to be gent
le. "Look, I know you're all upset at what happened today, but it had to be done. We're in the clear on everything, and we did it without anyone dying or going to jail."
"Scott's not dead then?" Millie quavered.
"Of course not!"
It was better after that, but not terrific. I sat back a little and let them talk, but I could see everyone was walking on eggshells. My heart ached for my Natalia. She did what had to be done, did a superb job with nothing but her wits, and now it was killing the one thing she loved: her relationship with her family.
I wanted to hug her and take her home to Nuevo Laredo. She'd be at home there, protected, safe and enjoying herself, too. But my head was overruling my heart. Ultimately it would be cruel. The price would be too high.
"Nats," her ex was eyeing me up sideways, "I know it's a lot to ask, but can we talk?"
"Of course." She was smiling at me. "But first, let me get a round in for my friends."
I went to the bar with her, to help carry the drinks. She was so close to me that I could feel the heat of her body. Her scent, rich and sweet, set my heart racing. I couldn't help myself; my arms went around her, and I was burying my face in her hair.
"Corazon," the words ripped out of me. "I love you so much!"
"Nats!" It was the other kid, Johnathan, carefully carrying over a glass. "I got you a vino, Rioja from Spain. It's your favourite, right?"
As he thrust it under her nose, the rich red wine, its signature plum velvet perfume wafted over. Natalia swallowed quickly and then went pale and sweaty. "Sorry, love!" She stepped hastily around the kid and ran for the restroom.
Johnathan stared after her in amazement. "What did I do?" he asked worriedly.
Suzie was over instantly. "It's nothing, love. Jet lag does funny things to you."
I went after my girl. "You okay?" The door was flimsy, so I heard the weak retching. It tore my gut. I went straight in there. "Natalia?"
She was pale and sick-looking. For the first time I saw she had rings under her eyes. She looked frail. In fact, she looked the way she had the night Smith had tasered her.
My heart was in my boots. It terrified me to see her suddenly unwell. I can take out anyone who threatens me and mine, but sickness levels all of us. So I was dead fucking scared. "Ay pobrecita! What's wrong?"
"Nothing." The bruja was out in full force. "Just nerves."
"Nats?" Millie was standing in the doorway. "You okay, love?"
"Sure! It's just tiredness."
Millie looked her over with a grin. "Tiredness. Right."
"I've been working a couple of jobs, not sleeping enough."
"Aha. Sure. That's why your arse and boobs are spreading."
"So I did some misery eating!" Natalia snapped. "It's hardly surprising!"
Me, I could hardly breathe for the sudden incredulous joy spreading through me. "Brujita—"
"Cravings, too?" Millie asked.
"What?" Natalia was getting to her feet, and for the first time I noticed she was tighter in her tee than a few weeks before.
"Natalia," my heart was banging against my ribs. "I think you should sit down, corazon."
"I'm perfectly fine! Don't fuss!"
Yes, her temper was decidedly off too. I couldn't help myself. I could feel a shit eating grin coming all the way up from my toes.
"Perfectly pregnant," Millie laughed.
"What?" Natalia was standing there, her mouth wide open. "What did you say?"
"Sheesh, you're on top of every villain in London, tying them all in knots so that even the cartel respect you, and yet you can't figure out that you're up the spout?" Millie giggled.
"But we used condoms!"
"They're not foolproof."
"But.. but—"
"When did your periods stop?"
"Ohmigod, it's been—but I thought it was Smith tasering me and then with being attacked…" Natalia was shaking her head. "The throwing up, everything being out of kilter, I put everything down to stress! I'm such a damn idiot!"
Millie laughed. "Well, we'll know in a minute. Delicia and Johnathan have gone to Boots to get a test kit."
"Oh dear lord," Natalia moaned. "Quique, I'm so sorry."
I took her by the arm. "Brujita preciosa, come and sit down."
Her grey eyes were large and worried. "Don't let this change anything!"
The precious fool. "Of course not. Come with me, corazon."
I got her out of that crummy restroom and got her sitting down with her feet up. The family all stayed back, giving us space, but from their excited chatter and the grins spreading from Millie to Rose and then to the boss and the rest of the team, everyone was sharing the happy news.
"Don't fuss," she was fretting, my difficult girl. "Maybe I'm wrong."
But I was remembering Tina's face back at the jefe's party. She'd told me she'd said things to hurt me, crazy things, she'd confessed. I hadn't been listening too clearly, because I'd been worried about Natalia. Now realisation flooded through me like a bright light illuminating the truth. "Natalia, you're not wrong."
Delicia and Johnathan came running back, pink with excitement as they handed over the kit.
Natalia looked at me. "Come on," she sighed. "Let's do this together."
I didn't need to see the line announce 'pregnant'. As Natalia closed the washroom door, I looked back and knew exactly why Tina had lied. She'd felt guilty about the cowboy so she'd said the worst thing she could think of, just to hurt me.
There was nothing wrong with me. I was as much a man as anyone else. However, like the fucking idiot I am, I had believed it and done my damnedest to push Natalia away from me. Now that was going to screw everything up.
So when the door opened and we watched the indicator turn positive together, I knew I had to fix this, and quick.
Before I could get my shit together, Natalia was talking softly. "Look, I know this is tough, but I need to be here in London, and you have to be in Nuevo Laredo," she was convinced I didn't want her. "This changes nothing."
I took her hands, loving her strength. "You're a damn fool, bruja, and me, too. Let me tell you what's been going on." I told her in words of one syllable. "So you see, this is all my fault. I always check everything, but it never occurred to me that Tina'd lied."
"Dear lord, what was she thinking?" Natalia sighed. "But it doesn't change the facts, love. You can't jump from one relationship into another. It's not healthy."
"Now wait a minute, bruja!" Then I saw the tension in her shoulders and those huge worried grey eyes. My poor girl had had a long day, too long. Also, her family were all waiting outside, clearly dying to hash over recent events. It was a no-brainer to know what should come next.
"Corazon, talk to your family. That's priority number one. Everything else we fix later."
I got a hug. "Oh, Quique, they're all nervous, did you see? They're afraid!"
"Don't worry. They'll adjust." I remembered how hard it had been for my family first when I'd joined the Kaibiles and then the Zetas. It's not easy to see someone you know turn into a killer. Even if you think it's justified or necessary, taking a life makes you different.
So I knew what Natalia and her family were going through. "It takes a little time, but soon they'll remember you're still the same person." It was a lie but a small one. Also, she needed to hear it. "Go, bruja. Talk as much and as long as you like. I'm going to introduce Pedro Rojo to English bitter."
"Quique—"
"Come, corazon." I was firm with her but gentle, knowing she needed looking after. Most unusually, she came quietly, and she was holding onto my hand as if I were an anchor.
When we stepped out, everyone stared. You could've heard a pin drop.
"It's positive," I announced. "We're having a baby."
The cheers were loud enough to carry to Nuevo Laredo.
"A round on me!" The boss yelled.
"And then one on me!" Bobby shouted right back.
It was definitely party time at the Black Ho
rse.
"Quique, what if Smith hears?" Natalia whispered.
"Don't worry. Smith is in Hong Kong, at an anti-crime summit. Jorge got him an invite."
"Smart and sneaky."
"That's our Jorge. More twisted than a corkscrew."
I held my girl close and walked her over to Millie, warning her. "It's been a very long day. Make sure Natalia isn't over-worried."
"You can rely on that." From her eyes, Millie was determined, so I went and joined the others. The team were partying, sucking down pints and sausage rolls but staring with fascinated disgust at the pickled eggs being handed round by Dwayne.
"Quique, man!" James pushed a beer into my hand. "I couldn't be happier for you!"
"She's beautiful, brave and clever, fuck me what a package!"
"Yeah, but what does she see in you?"
Gordo punched me on the shoulder, excited as hell. "You'd better pick me as godfather!"
"Congratulations!" The boss was laughing. "This is one hell of a day, isn't it?"
I had a drink and cracked back, but I was quietly watching over my girl. Her people were happy about the baby and tactful enough for once to give her some time with her ex. The fucker was looking sorry as hell, and my girl was doing her best to give him a backbone. I eavesdropped shamelessly.
"It's all my fault," the ex was laying it out. "Nats, how can I ever make up for this?"
"I don't think that's the issue," she sounded cool and calm, "but considering you've been through hell yourself these last few weeks, I'd say that you've been punished by karma." She put a hand on his. "Just forgive and forget, love. Life's too short for hate."
The boss loomed at my shoulder. "She's generous, your Natalia." He's got good hearing, too. He was looking at the scene, considering something. "Tina really is the limit," he murmured. "What the hell was she thinking?"
I didn't even bother to pretend not to know. The boss has a talent for unconventional warfare, which means he can see things nobody else can.
"She apologised already, boss. Let it go."
"You're generous, too, Quique. What happens next?"
I laid it out and he was nodding. "It's not ideal but if it happens, we can work something out."
