I know that we pretty much have the situation handled, but I still think knowing everything possible is helpful. There is no room for errors tonight.
I open the door as Adrian unlocks it with his key fob. Seven tuxedos are lying on the back seat. We will all play our part at the party, but we won’t be on the guest list. In fact, they won’t even know we will be there until it is too late. With blueprints and reinforcements coming in to stay at a safe house located between here and the border, which, mind you, is a few miles away, it should be quite the show.
Adrian and I enter the condo and walk toward the back bedroom where we hand out the tuxedos in the closet. After having a meeting with the police chief, our men, and our family gathered here at the condo, I believe Eduardo when he says that this unified front is enough to bring the girls home and to show these men that they are messing with the wrong family.
Eduardo has reiterated that it isn’t about just bringing the girls home but also teaching a lesson to our enemies who may try to repeat events such as these. The family must show them that they are strong and have the power to defeat their enemies and keep the organization strong. It’s been a long time since someone has dared to challenge them for power, and, like always, the strongest prevail. Luckily, that is us, our blended family, but it doesn’t stop someone from trying to take what is yours.
Eduardo picks up the bag of tacos and takes two. They are passed around until only a bag with a styrofoam-enclosed plate is left. He looks curiously at it. “What’s in there?” he asks, going to open it, and I reach out for it.
“It’s mine.” I take a whiff, and my mouth waters. “It’s a taco salad.”
Eduardo raises one eyebrow. “A taco salad?”
I open the container, and the spiced chicken and veggies smell permeates the air. Nom. Nom. I smack my lips in anticipation.
“A fucking taco salad?” he asks again.
I take a bite of the salad that rests inside a crispy corn shell. It crunches, and light flakes of corn tortillas fly away from my mouth.
“Hm. Yes, bro. It’s the best.”
Eduardo just shakes his head, chuckling. “Whatever you say.” He finishes his tacos in a few bites and walks out of the room, tossing his bags and trash out on the way.
I call out to him over my mouth full of food. “Where are you going?” I take another heaping forkful of my food, groaning as the flavors assault my taste buds.
He turns back to me. “To get ready. I want to look my best when I rescue my fianceé.” He winks at me before he disappears behind the door.
It takes everyone a while to get ready, but there are a couple of bathrooms where we take turns showering and getting changed into our tuxedos. We call up Santi to see how everything is going on his end.
“Santi, is everything a-go for tonight?” Eduardo has him on speaker so that we can all listen to his response.
“Yes, I have all my men in place, and they have been made aware of what will happen tonight.”
“What about your wife and daughter? Are they at the safe house now, just out of an abundance of caution? We want to ensure their safety. When we eliminate the threat, they can return home.”
There is silence on the other line, but we can hear his breathing pick up. He blows out a breath.
“That would be great. Thank you, Eduardo. We want to help you, too, and it has been a long time coming.”
Although we can’t see him, I imagine him nodding in agreement.
“It has, and I am glad that it will soon be coming to an end. I’ll see you soon, then.” He hangs up the call, and Eduardo tucks the phone back into his tuxedo pocket.
“Okay. Let’s go over the plan one more time.”
I nod, as does the rest of our blended family, and we go over one last time on how we are going to get into the house and bring our family home.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
EVIE
“Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield
“Here you go, ladies.” Adalia enters the room without knocking. Her sheer, flowing dress billows about as she rushes in with two packages—two boxes I recognize from the other day. She places them on the bed, looks at them, and then back at us. She lifts her hand to the packages. We watch her with curiosity.
“As promised, here are the dresses, both red this time so we don’t have the ‘holiday theme.’” She makes air quotes and rolls her eyes. “I remember the words you spoke when I brought them in for you to try on.”
I open the boxes to see that the dresses now match. “Thank you, Adalia. That was very kind of you.” I give my best attempt at sincerity, and she beams at our praise.
