Once Enrique parked, he rolled down the window.
Early afternoon heat rushed in and prickled her skin.
The rest of the caravan idled behind them.
“Just heard from Rubén.”Santiago pocketed his phone and took a drag from his black cigarette.The scent of cloves enveloped him and flowed through the open window.“He wants you two in his office, pronto.Villegas and Zayas are with him.They took the redeye to get here in time for this meeting.Me and the guys, we’re dismissed.”He popped Enrique on the arm.“See you later, mi amigo.Good luck.”
“Gracias.”Enrique bumped the man’s fist in goodbye.
Santiago strode back to the SUV.The caravan continued down the driveway toward the cul-de-sac, then past Lourdes and Enrique on their way out.
“It’s just us now.”She repressed a shudder.
“Us against the world.Time to face the firing squad.”Enrique killed the engine and slid the key fob into his pants pocket.
She climbed out on unsteady legs and inhaled a breath so deep her lungs burned.The rich scent of earth and the lush greenery around the house filled her nose.The statue of an angel in a gorgeous fountain reigned over the dusty front yard while the cityscape beyond the desert hillside gleamed like sunlit jewels in patches of high rises and smaller buildings.The muted roar of traffic mimicked the soothing drone of distant thunder.
Farther down the driveway near a copse of trees, a half-dozen black-garbed men lurked beside two shiny vehicles with the glowers of vultures on the prowl.
“Gracias a Dios.”Her hand fluttered over her mouth.“Yago is alive.Those are my father’s enforcers.”
“Someone did a number on your bodyguard.”
Enrique’s droll reply pursed her lips as he reached her side.Her father probably mangled Yago’s face with his fists.At least, he didn’t kill the man.
“Come on.”Enrique steered her toward the house on the cobblestone path.
One of the massive front doors swung open, and an eight-year-old girl in a blue dress bolted outside.Her glossy raven-black hair whipped behind her.
Lourdes’s heart skipped.
Sera hugged Enrique’s legs.“Papá Rubén said you were coming today.He’s very upset with you.”She beamed up at him, then frowned.“What did you do?”
Enrique grinned and picked up the child.“I’ve been naughty.Do you remember Lourdes?”He rested his free hand on Lourdes’s arm.
Nodding, Sera reached over and wrapped her little arms around Lourdes without ever leaving Enrique’s embrace.She pulled back.“You were at Mamá and Papá Rubén’s wedding.”
“That’s right.I was honored to attend.”Lourdes hooked a lock of the girl’s soft hair behind her little shell of an ear.How she longed for a sweet child like Sera to call her own.
“Sera, let our guests come in,” Drina called out from the half-moon stoop.Despite her tight grin, she waved in greeting.
Her beautiful black hair, kind eyes, and strong-willed demeanor had won Drina Cabrera the heart of a man Lourdes once thought impenetrable.The new cartel queen was nothing to trifle with.
Lourdes followed Enrique into the spacious foyer, where he set Sera on her bare feet.Antique furniture and rustic décor welcomed her in earth tones and softened the brilliance of the high ceiling, silver-veined marble floor, and grand staircase.The dried flower swags hanging above the paintings and mirrors perfumed the air with the scent of home.
Only this wasn’t Lourdes’s home.Not even close.If worse came to worst, she would leave an imprisoned woman.As squeaky, childish voices echoed from the living room, likely from a cartoon, she straightened to her full height and tugged on her blouse to smooth out any wrinkles.
Drina closed up.“Don’t worry, Lourdes.Rubén is on your side even if he may not act like it.”She hugged her, then drew back and punched Enrique in the shoulder.
“Ow.What was that for?”He scowled and rubbed his abused skin, though he winked at the wide-eyed Sera.
“You know what you did,” Drina hedged, nodding toward her daughter.“I swear, when I heard, I choked on my quesadilla.”
He chuckled and gave her a one-armed hug.“Well, I’m sorry for that.Santi said we’re due in the office?”
“Right away.Head on back.”Drina grasped Lourdes’s hand.“If we can, I’d love to talk before you leave.I’ve been worried about you.”
“I’m fine, really, but a talk sounds wonderful.How far along are you?”she asked, delaying the inevitable.
