“They want to take family pictures,” Vicente says.
“And he’s not family,” Patricio says, pointing at me.
“Alma can come with me. We’ll take the bridesmaid pictures, and then you two can leave,” Thalia says, nodding her head toward the rose garden where Mireya is waiting.
Mireya doesn’t have either of her parents. For her side of family, she only has her Tia Vicky and Alma. It feels wrong.Every part of me hates letting her go, but swinging on Patriciohere would ruin Adrian and Mireya’s day. This is not the time nor the place to try resolving my daddy issues.
“It’s okay,mija,” I tell Alma quietly. “Go. I’ll wait for you right here.”
“Are you sure?” her voice cracks.
I nod. Because what else can I do? Drag her back like she’s in danger when everyone else is smiling and pretending this family isn’t poison? But the truth is, something in my chest tightens when she half-heartedly walks away with Thalia. Vicente pulls his son forward, following them down the steps to the rose garden.
I light a cigarette and watch the photographer snap photo after photo. The entire Consuelo family is framed perfectly around Mireya and Adrian. One by one, they peel away until only Alma remains, pulled beside Vicky, filling the space where Mireya’s family should have been.
She looks beautiful.
She looks like she belongs.
And I look like I never did.
The sun begins to lower, staining the church walls gold, when Thalia and Silas head toward me.
“Are they done?” I ask immediately.
“Yes. Alma wanted to stay in the garden for a moment. She said to tell you to meet her there,” Thalia says.
I stand to my full height and nod, watching the blur of a gold dress sit on the swing in the garden at the side of the church.
“What the fuck is Patricio doing?” Silas asks, and my head snaps to the bottom of the Cathedral stairs.
Patricio Consuelo stands below us wearing the smuggest, most satisfied smile I’ve ever seen. Walking beside him are two police officers and a K-9.
“What the fuck?” I say.
“Efren Nevarez. You’re under arrest.” My heart drops, and I don’t even think, I move.
A hands grab me from behind, dragging me backward. I twist and swing hard.
“ALMA!” her name tears out of me.
My fist cracks across Patricio’s jaw. I shove forward, desperate, eyes locked on the rose garden where I see a tall figure emerging from the trees.
“ALMA!” I bellow, lunging toward the garden.
I recognize the man behind her. Bald head and a large scar running down his face.Cassiel.
He’s pulling her into the trees. I rush toward them, but something sharp clamps down, tearing into my calf. The K-9 attacks me, and I howl. My knees slam into the stone, and the first strike of a baton stings across my back as I fall forward.
THWACK
Another across my ribs.
THWACK
Another.
THWACK
