Marco’s expression softened immediately. “Shit, I’m sorry Eli.” He looked around me at Sledge. “Sorry man. I worry.”
Sledge gave him a curt nod, the universal male version ofno hard feelings.
Within ten minutes, my motherhad us seated in a booth with fresh chips and salsa on the table. “You’ll try a little bit ofeverything and tell me your favorites, okay?” She pinched Zoya’s cheek and gushed. “Such a beautiful little girl. I’ll fatten you up. Promise.”
That earned her a shy smile that only got bigger when the table began to sink under the weight of enchiladas verde, black beans, tacos as far as the eye could see, rice, and fresh tortillas. It was a feast and Zoya ate with more energy than I’d ever seen.
She nibbled a little of everything, going back for second and third bites of what she loved. Not a word left her lips, but her smile contained a thousand words.
Her father, so big and gruff, smiled gently when he looked at her. He was proud, his gaze filled with love and relief. For the first time since I met him, he looked relaxed. Almost happy.
And for a little while, it was just a normal night filled with dinner and family and laughter. There were no junkies, no break-ins, no ghosts or collect calls from prison. Just good food and good company.
***
“I think she had a good time,” I said softly as Sledge deposited Zoya in the back seat of the car with so much gentleness that the spot behind my heart ached.
His shoulders relaxed as he slid behind the steering wheel and then he stunned me with a smile that stretched across his face. “I think so too. I think she smiled more in the last ninety minutes than the past four years.”
I laughed softly. “I think she ate more too, but my mom has a way with kids.”
“Your family is great,” he said softly. “I can see why you came out how you did.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure I want to know what that means.”
He stroked the back of his hand down my cheek, grazing my jaw with his thumb and forefinger. “It means you’re pretty fucking wonderful, Eliana.”
My whole body flushed at the compliment. “Those tacos must’ve been more magical than I realized if you’re complimenting me.”
He rolled his eyes, grunting as he started the engine. “Smart ass.”
I laughed as we hit the road, the darkness stretched out before us. “I want you to know that I can see how much you care. How much you love Zoya. And she feels the same.”
He said nothing.
“I just don’t want you to doubt that, not ever. No matter what else happens or what you found out earlier.”
He opened his mouth to respond but we both froze as the roar of engines cut through the night air. “Shit!” he muttered, clenching the steering wheel tight as his eyes darted across all three mirrors.
Headlights flared behind us and I turned around, counting four, maybe five motorcycles closing in fast. “Friends of yours?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
He snorted. “Hardly. Seatbelt?”
“On,” I said through clenched teeth. At least I think I did, I couldn’t hear a damn thing over my racing heart.
The motorcycles surrounded us before I could even blink. Two on each side, one riding our ass too close. Someone slammed something against the passenger side window, shattering the glass all over my face and clothes. I let out a low, terrified grunt.
Zoya whimpered in the backseat.
“Hey!” I shouted. “No!”
“Zoya, get on the floor!” Sledge called out.
Gunshots went off and I immediately covered my head, but they sounded far away and when I looked up, we were unharmed.
More glass broke, this time the back passenger window where Zoya was and I saw red. I reached behind me for the bat I kept within reach because a girl couldn’t be too careful in a city like Las Vegas. “Fucker,” I shouted, as I unfastened my safety belt and climbed over the seat and into the back to comfort Zoya. All the while Sledge kept driving, trying to keep away from the assholes that wanted to run us off the road.
Her tears ripped me apart as I shielded her body, gripping the bat in my free hand.
