“Backs to each other,” Señor Fuentes called.
Lalo turned and faced east. Rafael, west.
Carolina ran to the center of the pit. She wrapped her arms around Lalo, pretending to be a lamenting lover. Her lips tickled his cheek as she whispered, “Rafa is fast, but you are faster. Use your abilities. He will turn right before my father counts to five. He is aiming to kill, Lalo. Do not forget that.”
Lalo’s whole being felt fuzzy and warm. He should be focusing on the task at hand, but she was so soft against him. And her scent made his toes curl.
“Take your shot and duck to the right. Remain standing no matter what.”
Carolina released her hold around his neck, eyes questioning. Everything inside Lalo ached for her comfort. But why? Why would his body betray him when she was the one to put him in this mess? She was his enemy in every sense of the word.
“Ready!” Señor Fuentes called.
Lalo fumbled with the pistol.
“One!”
This was really happening. His eyes met Carolina’s. She urged him on with a jerky tilt of her head. He took a step.
“Two!”
He took another step. Fernanda covered her face but splayed her fingers so she could still watch.
“Three!”
He gazed at the moon, at his beloved stars. One more step.
“Four!”
Lalo spun.
“Five!”
A shot went off. Followed by a second.
Lalo winced. Then the world around him went silent.
CHAPTER 12
Carolina
Time stood still. No onemoved. No one dared breathe.
Another burst of gunfire exploded through the sky. The blast came from a shotgun, loud and reverberating, emanating from the rich farmlands to the west. A fourth boom rang out in the distance.
“Sedientos!” someone yelled.
Papá had guards stationed within el pueblo so guests of the fiesta would feel safe. Only a few of his men were handling the outer farmlands.
The alarm bells began to clang.
The crowd turned to chaos. Flurries of people spurred to action. Grandmothers clutched their grandchildren and carried them toward Carolina’s home. Many ran for the stables as Papá called out orders, Rafael moving by his side. Señora Orozco tripped on her huaraches and tumbled to the dirt.
Carolina lifted her skirts and ran for the older woman.
“Here,” she said, gently wrapping her fingers around la señora’s soft arms. “Let me help you.”
She eased the woman up.
