“Once I’m certain you’re not in danger, I’ll bring you back down here to visit whenever you want.”
I’m careful not to say “if.” I leave it open to Flora saying never. I don’t believe it’ll come to that, but my guess is it’ll be a long time before she’s comfortable here again. Perhaps notuntil after Ernesto’s death. As much as I’d like to hurry that along, he’s still Flora’sabuelo. If most of our troubles stem from betrayal, killing her grandfather would hardly redeem me or prove my loyalty.
Magdalena nods. I know she regrets now that she spent this entire visit arguing with her daughter, but Flora wants to get away from here. I don’t blame her. If it weren’t for Flora, I would’ve bolted ages ago. I don’t want her to feel rushed and squeeze her waist again as she looks up at me. I hope she understands we can stay longer if she wants. Her gaze tells me she wants out of here fast, so I won’t push the issue.
“SeñoraBautista, I wish we’d met under better circumstances, but I hope to see you again in New York whenever you’re available to visit.”
I’m just as careful not to say “us” as I was about “if.” Let her draw her own conclusions about Flora and me living together. I don’t need to add insult to injury. I let go of Flora’s waist to offer Magdalena my hand. She glances at it before extending hers. While she squeezes hard to make a point, I’m careful not to crush hers.
Flora hesitates when I let go of Magdalena’s hand, then she hugs her mother. I watch as a couple of tears drip from her eyes. I want nothing more than to be the one hugging her now, but that’ll have to wait.
“Te quiero, mija. I’m sorry for all my mistakes. I hope one day you’ll believe I did what I thought was best. I know many of my decisions were selfish, but I never made them to hurt you.”
“I know,Mamá, and I don’t want you to think my relationship with Pablo is to spite you orAbuelo. It’s because he’s the only man who’s right for me.”
“I hate admitting it, but even a blind man can see that. I can fight you on this, but I’ll only lose you. I can tell Pablo would encourage you to pick me, but you wouldn’t forgive me forputting you in that position. I don’t want to. Pablo, please take care of myniña. I’ve always loved her more than anything, even if it doesn’t seem like it.”
“I believe that,SeñoraBautista. We all make tough decisions in life, but when you live ones like ours, the ripples reach farther than for most people. I swear I’ll always do everything I can to make Flora happy.”
“I know you will, Pablo. When a man in your family commits to a woman, it’s forever. The only person whose marriage failed was Enrique, and that was his first one. He married out of duty to your family. But it was obvious from the start that woman was never destined to be his soulmate.”
“Mytío’smet the right woman, and he’s with her now. You’re right that my family waits for the one person they’ve always been meant to be with. We’re blessed with that. Flora is my one person.”
“Pablo is mine,Mamá.”
If we were alone, I’d admit my feelings to her, but I won’t tell anyone else before her. When you know, you know.
Flora gives her mother another hug. “Bye,Mamá.Te quiero.”
“Bye,niña. Let me know you arrived safely, please.”
“I will.”
Magdalena walks us to the door and watches as we climb into the SUV. I wish Flora and I were alone after all that. I’d pull her onto my lap and hold her, but that’s not an option. So instead, I draw her to sit in the middle seat so she’s close to me. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, and she leans her head against my chest. My other hand takes hers, and she wraps both of hers around mine.
Her breathing is steady and deep, but I know she’s fighting the tears that threaten to come back. Alejandro andPapáremain quiet, as do our driver and the bodyguard in the front passenger seat. We pull through the gate and take our place inthe motorcade. You’d think we were some type of international delegation. This is how thejefe de jefes’family rolls when we need to make a point.
Flora agreed to lie down in the plane’s cabin. She was exhausted by the time we made it onto the jet. Once it was safe to move about, I suggested she go back there. If my father and Alejandro weren’t with us, I would’ve stayed. Even if we didn’t have sex, I would’ve lain in bed with her and held her while she slept. Instead, I made sure she knew where everything was, then offered her a kiss before walking out. I looked back over my shoulder as she climbed into bed.
Now I’m sitting withPapáand my cousin as we discuss Flora’s and my conversation with Magdalena. Alejandro scowls throughout, butPapáreasons with me about Magdalena’s choices. He doesn’t agree with them any more than I do, but he’s a parent, and I’m not. He tries to get me to see that.
“Papá, I’m sure you’re right, but it still wasn’t easy to witness that conversation. Putting aside the things she called me, it upset Flora, and there was nothing I could do about that.”
“And that’s part of being in a relationship. It’s accepting the things you can’t fix as much as you want to. I know you would’ve done just about anything to shield Florencia from the pain that went along with talking to her mother, but it was a necessary evil.”
“I know?—”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and show my father and cousin the screen. We recognize the phone number, even though there’s no name associated with it.
“Hola Marcos. ¿Cómo estás?” Hello, Marcos. How’s it going?
“Hola, El Tigre.”
The Tiger.
It’s one of several titles I hold as second-in-command. It’s what generals are called in cartels. I’m a four-star. I’m ajefein my own right since I technically oversee our New York operations. Nobody calls me that. Many call meel capitán. Some even believe I’mel secretario—thejefe’sright-hand person—because I’m inline to inheritTíoEnrique’s position. But that’s really more my father, since he has beenTío’sright-hand man longer than I have been alive. I respond to all of them.
“You probably won’t like this,El Tigre, but Ernesto’s already on his way to New York. He didn’t know you’d come back to Colombia, so he took off to the States, assuming that’s where you went rather than to the estate or wherever else you traveled. He plans to bringSeñoritaAguilar back to Colombia.”
