“Is Raphael going to help you find a lawyer?” I asked.
Isabella nodded. “He already has. I talked to her yesterday.”
“Do you like her?”
“Yes. She’s really nice but also very smart.”
“Are you going to stay with Mama and Papa for now?”
She nodded. “I don’t have anywhere else to go. I don’t have an income since I haven’t worked since Diego was born.”
“Are you thinking about going back to work?” I asked.
“Maybe. Probably. But not until this is all over. I can’t concentrate on architectural plans when my head is a mess.”
I took her hand in mine. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
She sniffled. “I know. I’m so sorry about the way I acted before. I had Mama in my ear telling me to stand my ground with you.”
I shrugged. My mother and I had a long way to go before we came to some sort of peace between us. “You’re here now. I love you and will always be here for you.”
“I love you too, little brother.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
ZACH
Brunch service was nonstop from the time they opened the doors. I texted Robbie when I had a free second to tell him when my shift ended. He said he’d meet me around five. Halfway through the service, Miguel came in. He chatted with some of the customers and the waitstaff, then came over to the bar and sat on one of the stools. His mouth was turned down in a frown and his body was tense. I poured him a Coke and set it in front of him. “How are you doing? It looks like something’s bothering you.”
He blew out a shaky breath. “Isabella came to see me.”
I blinked in surprise. “Really? Here at work?”
He nodded. “I don’t want to get into it right now because you’re busy and it’s a long story, but it’s bad. Really bad.”
Miguel clenched his jaw and swallowed hard. He looked like he was fighting back tears. I wished I could leave and take him somewhere so we could talk. But he was right. I was busy, and it wouldn’t be long before a server came up with another drink order. I put my hand over Miguel’s. “I’ll be done by four. Robbie isn’t coming until five. We’ll have time to talk then.” I picked up his hand and kissed it. “Whatever it is, I’m right there with you.”
A small smile graced his plush lips. “Thank you.” He finished his soda and went back to his office.
One of the servers came over with a drink order. As she was waiting, she said, “You two make such a cute couple.”
I felt my cheeks heat even as I smiled. “Thanks.”
I spent the rest of the service wishing the clock would move faster so I could see Miguel and find out what happened with his sister. I did my best not to rush people when I was cleaning and setting up the bar for the dinner service, but some people were giving me the side eye by the time I was done.
When I knocked on Miguel’s office door, it was a little bit after four. He opened the door and immediately wrapped his arms around my waist. “Thank you for coming,” he murmured into my chest.
“Of course,” I replied. “You needed me.” I walked him over to one of his chairs. “So, tell me what happened with your sister.”
By the time he finished, Miguel was in tears. I waited until he calmed down before I asked, “Did the police arrest him?”
He shook his head. “He left, and they haven’t been able to find him. That’s why Isabella is staying with my parents. She’s afraid to go home in case he comes looking for her and she’s alone.”
“What a mess,” I commented. I hesitated to ask, but it was a real concern. “Isabella doesn’t blame you, does she?”
“No,” Miguel replied. “She actually apologized for the way she treated me. She was stressed and let my mother influence her thinking. Mama’s goal has always been for us to get married and make babies. And because my family is Catholic, we were to stay married, no matter what.”
“But he hit your sister,” I protested.
