I nodded to myself. Javi was full of shit. Maddy wasn’t dangerous, and I’d prove it. I pulled out my cell and called Luis.
“I’m here. Are you good? We just watched Javi drive away like a bat out of hell.”
“I’m fine. He’s still on his bullshit. Listen, we need to dig into Maddy’s paternal family history. We need to figure out everything we can about David and his ancestors. Every resource we have, spare no expense. Buy what you need, bribe people if you need access to records, whatever it takes.”
There was a slight pause before Luis responded. “Are we okay here?”
“Yes. I need to prove that Javi is full of crap. Get to work on it, and let me know if you find anything or need help.”
“On it, brother.”
By the time I got down the street to where the guys had been holed up watching the meet-up, Luis had already gone off to start his research. Felipe got out of Sebastian’s car and got into mine.
Sebastian leaned out his window. “What did that jackass have to say?”
I shook my head. “Not much other than he thought Maddy was some kind of monster that needed to be put down. He was talking about her like she was a rabid dog.”
Sebastian lip curled in disgust. “What a dick.”
“Yeah,” Felipe muttered. “Before all this, I had a pretty good idea he was a piece of shit. This situation with Maddy has removed all doubt.”
“Speaking of,” I said. “I want to get back home to her. Let’s go.”
We walked in the house, and the first thing we noticed was the cackling laughter coming from the living room. Felipe glanced at me and gave me a questioning frown.
“I told you!” Gabriel shouted, still laughing, “It’s one of the best comedies of the nineties, I told you.”
Felipe and I walked down the hallway and found Maddy on the love seat, her face red with laughter. Gabriel sat on the couch opposite her, seeming to revel in her enjoyment. On the TV was some kind of slapstick comedy with some guys who used to be onSaturday Night Liveback twenty-five years ago.
“Having fun?” I asked.
Gabe and Maddy both turned to see us and burst out laughing again, Maddy covering her face. I couldn’t help but smile back. She was beautiful when she laughed. My heart skipped a beat. There wasn’t a cruel or malicious bone in her body. Regardless of what blood ran in her veins, this was not someone who would end the world.
“Well, if it’s that funny, can we join you?” I said.
Maddy patted the seat next to her. I took a seat, putting my arm around her. Felipe sat next to Gabe and put an arm around him. My brother shrugged him off. “What the fuck, bro?”
Felipe grinned, nodding toward us. “I was just trying to fit in.”
Gabe sneered at him. “If that’s what you want, you need to pony up the big dough. I don’t put out on the first date unless it’s for a sugar daddy.”
We all laughed again and settled in to watch the rest of the movie. After five minutes, Maddy leaned in close to my ear. “Is everything okay?”
As an answer, I kissed the top of her head and nodded. “Everything’s fine.”
It might not have been the full truth. We were in danger. The world was balanced on a knife’s edge. But at that moment, everything was perfect. I’d do everything I could to keep it that way.
17
MADDY
Nico was at work again, and he’d said he would be late. His auto shop had gotten a new contract for servicing the county post office vehicles. All twenty vehicles had to have their oil changed, tires rotated, and general tune-ups done by the next day. He’d said he probably wouldn’t be home until after nine.
Sebastian was here, but he’d brought his new motorcycle and was in the garage working on that. The mudroom door was open, so if I needed him, I only had to shout, but I was starting to feel lonely.
It had been over a week since I’d seen Abi, so I texted her to see if she wanted to come over. Her response had been enthusiastic, and she told me she’d be there in thirty minutes. I grinned and put my phone away, then went to let Sebastian know.
“Hey,” I said, knocking on the doorframe.
