“What happened between you and Patricio?”
He’s quiet. I watch as his brows furrow, and he collects whatever thoughts he has before speaking. “La sangre llama.” He sighs, then turns to look at me. “Patricio Consuelo is my biological father.”
Chapter 33
Efren
Ipace the length of the kitchen.
Back and forth.
My anger hasn’t yet subsided.
Back and forth.
Alma watches me over the rim of her glass of horchata. Her brain has been going a mile a minute since I revealed that Patricio is my biological father.
“I’m confused,” she says finally.
“Confused about what?” Something in my chest snaps.
“Abouteverything.” She sets the glass down carefully. “Explain it again. How did you even find this out?”
I drag a hand down my face. There’s so much anger boiling inside of me at Patricio’s accusations. First and foremost, Adrian is my friend. I’ve never once used him for anything. Second, Patricio was making me out to be this bad influence when the reality of the situation is that I was arrestedbecauseofAdrian’sstupid ex-girlfriend.
“Do you remember the story about Adrian’s mom? Sandra. And Patricio,” I ask.
Alma frowns, thinking. “Sort of. Mireya told mesomething about it, but—” Then her eyes widen. “Wait—Adrian’s Sandra and Ivan’s son, right?”
“Yes.” I stop pacing and face her. “Patricio and Ivan were in some sort of sibling fucking rivalry. Sandra was with Patricio, but Ivan tried to pursue her to piss off his brother. When she denied him, he got mad and assaulted her. That’s how Adrian was conceived.”
Her jaw tightens. “I remember now. Fucking piece of shit.”
“When that happened, Patricio spiraled,” I continue. “Started disappearing to Tijuana for days at a time.”
“And that’s where he met your mother?”
“Yes. I don’t know much about their relationship, other than my mother was an escort, and according to the woman I spoke with, he only requested her company.”
“Oh god.” Alma’s breath catches slightly.
“Anyways, Vicente puts an end to these weekend rendezvous and forces his son to get his shit together. Patricio comes back, his image is wiped clean, and well, you know the rest.”
Silence stretches between us.
“Why haven’t you told him?” she asks softly. “If he knew the truth, maybe he’d?—”
“Maybenothing.” The word rips out of me before I can stop it. I force my voice lower. “You saw how he treated me, Alma. I don’t have much, but I have my integrity. I refuse to beg that man for scraps of decency.”
“You don’t know how he’d react unless you talk to him.”
“I don’twantto talk to him.” My hands curl into fists. “Even if I wasn’t his son, it’s not okay to treat people like they’re beneath you.”
She nods slowly. “Okay. You’re right. I just… I want what’s best for you.”
“Well, the Consuelos aren’t it.” The words spill out, thehate from inside me overflowing into the conversation. “They’re fucking cursed. Every single one of Vicente Consuelo’s grandchildren is broken in some way. Thalia had to hide her kid. Adrian’s mom destroyed herself trying to survive what Ivan did. Cassiel’s in a coma—and don’t tell me that family didn’t havesomethingto do with it.”
“Cassiel was already unhinged,” Alma says carefully.
