“I can come back with you,” Carmen told me when I didn’t answer her.
I swept the bedroom for any small items I missed when I packed, stuffing them into the bag and zipping it shut. “I’m not sure Emilio would be happy about that.”
“He isn’t happy with much at the moment,” Carmen muttered, but her husband’s temperament must have deterred her somewhat because she adjusted her offer. “Okay, well, let me send Gio back with you. He’ll make sure nothing happens.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw the panic flit across Gio’s features, so quick that I wasn’t sure that it had happened. There was something about the way he tailed Carmen and listened to her every order that had me wondering if there was more than duty that bound him to his position. He lingered a little too long, rarely smiling, and when he did, they were only at her words. If Emilio had noticed how attentive his wife’s guard was, he didn’t care. Why would he? Emilio gave Carmen everything she could have asked for, not that she needed to ask anyone for anything.
“You’ve done enough,” I told her, sitting on the edge of the bed. It sagged under my weight and my muscles grew heavy with fatigue at the temporary comfort. Despite the fact I wanted to take Carmen up on both her offers, I couldn’t. Heading back with them in tow would only elevate tensions beyond what they already were, which meant I had to put my trust in Dante and his promise that he wouldn’t let Luc hurt me. This could prove to be my most expensive mistake if my trust was misplaced.
Carmen ran a hand through my hair, and I rested my head against her stomach as she stood before me, hugging me to her like a child. Alone with Carmen was often when thoughts of my mother invaded my thoughts. Would she have held me close in a situation like this or would she have been shocked to find that I had gotten myself into such a mess? There was no doubt in my mind that wherever Dad was, he would be looking at me with a sense of satisfaction in knowing he had been right. That my relationship with Luc had been messy and would lead to a sticky end. And yet, in the recesses of my mind, I knew if I could go back in time I would have still chosen Luc. Still have given into the love that had burned so bright, I bore the scorch marks.
“Listen to me,” she said, and I felt the press of a kiss on top of my head. “If you need anything at all, I am your first port of call. Don’t worry about Emil.”
Releasing her from my grip, I nodded. Carmen had equipped me with a phone that housed two contacts: herself and Gio. It had been used sparingly for fear of being caught out. “Thank you for everything, Carmen. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend.” It was strange to think that in a world that was so corrupt, I had found a friendship that was so genuine.
“Don’t mention it,” she said, helping me stand up from the bed. Simple tasks like this were growing difficult, and I expected them to continue in that direction. Carmen had carried her pregnancy easily, practically glowing, whereas I carried it with much less grace at a considerably smaller size.
Picking up my bag, I glanced around to make sure there was nothing left. Carmen walked so close that I could feel her feet nipping at my heels as we exited the room. The conversation between Emilio and Dante died the moment we made an appearance.
“All set?” Dante asked me brightly as if he was collecting me from a weekend away. The business-like manner had seeped away and left his usual ease.
“If anything happens to her, Atwood,” Carmen said calmly, moving past me to stand in front of him, “I’m going to hold you personally responsible and then I’m going to make your life a living hell.”
“It’s refreshing that you think it already isn’t a living hell, with what I’ve been dealing with lately,” he shot back at her. “Usually we just threaten to kill each other,” he whispered, as if giving her a handy tip.
“Death wouldn’t mean anything to you. You’d probably welcome it.”
“True enough,” Dante agreed, straightening up. “Would mean I’d get a break from all this shit.” He gestured vaguely to the group of us standing around.
“We shouldn’t keep you any longer than necessary,” Emilio said, pulling his wife to his side. “You have a long trip and a lot to sort out.”
“Any other helpful reminders?” Dante muttered under his breath. “You’re right. Let’s get this show on the road.” He strode over to the door to the apartment and opened it before looking back at me. “Come on, boss.”
The eyes of the room fell on me and somehow my brain signaled to my feet to move. As I squeezed past Dante to walk out of the door, he flashed me a smile that I was unable to return. Nothing about my situation could get me to smile. The shock and the fear had begun to coil in my stomach and spread through my limbs, and it was taking all my effort to put one foot in front of the other.
We walked down the stairs and into the open. The evening had brought a cool breeze and we piled into the cars in silence that was maintained the entire way back to the Diaz residence. Emilio hadn’t allowed for Carmen and me to be in the same car, our goodbyes done and dusted at the doorstep of the complex. He hadn’t arrived at the house at the same time as us, most likely to avoid any last-ditch attempt Carmen had to try and save me.
As I got out of the car, I considered running, but I had enough sense to know that it wouldn’t get me far. I was pregnant, had nowhere to turn to, and was severely outnumbered. I saw Dante’s car parked in the driveway, ready for us to begin the journey away from my temporary safe haven.
“Time to go,” Dante said, opening the door for me to climb in. He bent at the waist, in a mock bow as if he was some sort of footman. For a split second, I thought I might throw up on his shoes, before I got into the passenger seat and the slam of the door closing sealed my fate.
Chapter Eight
Mia
“Are you going to stop sulking?” Dante asked as he got back into the car. He slammed the door shut, tossed a bag of chips onto my lap, and pulled out of the gas station, restarting our journey home.
Home. I wasn’t sure I was allowed to consider it home anymore. Dad was no longer there, and I’d severed ties with everyone I’d once held dear. You didn’t need to be blackmailed into returning home the way that I had. Home wasn’t meant to be a place where you feared losing your life.
“You can’t be mad at me for wanting to get my family back together.”
“Yes, I can. You threatened me.” The fear had subsided enough for me to bite back at him and his behavior.
“Threatened? That’s a little bit dire, don’t you think? I used the art of persuasion.” It came as no surprise that Dante knew how to put a spin on it. He had been doing this his entire life. Anything remotely underhanded could be cleverly explained to ensure you didn’t get into trouble. That might have washed in a court of law, but I knew Dante and I wasn’t impressed by the stunt he’d pulled.
“You’re a dickhead and I don’t know why I considered you a friend.”
“Because I buy you chips as an apology.” Dante turned his head to look at me, concern running over his features.
