Victoria stepped back, her lips pulling into a taught line and her steel eyes darkening as she tilted her head back. Watchdog number two grabbed my arm and started pulling me toward the hotel entrance. He let a slow grin form as he spoke, There is no one here to defend you now, is there ?
What’s your name ? I cut him off before he could answer, And I know it’s not None Of Your Business.
What difference does it make ? He pushed me out the door and into a black Cadillac XTS sedan.
None really, because when Carter finds me, you are as good as dead any way. I stifled a laugh as he closed the door and slammed his fist into the top of the car. I could hear muffled voices outside the car and as Emilio opened the driver’s door, they flowed in clear as day.
That fucking bitch is getting on my last damn nerve, Victoria. I could see the man’s hands trembling from anger as he spoke. I want to choke the fucking life out of her.
We can’t touch her Wesley. You know this. Miguel will have all of our heads if we do. Victoria looked over her shoulder and frowned as she noticed the opened door.
Victoria glared at Emilio and then at me, Shut the damn door Emilio.
I raised my brow, maybe I could find a way to use the information to my advantage.
Emilio slid into the driver seat, slammed the door, and cranked the car looking back at my smirking face as I spoke. So, Emilio, I leaned up from the backseat and close to the guards ear, where are we going ?
Emilio glanced at me through the review mirror. You really are an annoying little shit, you know that ?
I shrugged my shoulder, So I’ve been told, more than once I might add. I looked the man over, his hair was graying at the edges and his face held the wrinkles of a smoker. So ?
Emilio kept his face forward as he spoke low, Look, kid, as much as I hate Carter, I really don’t want to see anything drastic happen to you.
Really ? doubt laced my voice at his statement. You shot my friend.
A look of regret passed through Emilio’s eyes. I had to. If I hadn’t, things would have gotten even more out of hand than they did. His softer tone almost made his words believable, You shouldn’t be here, Lea. You’re an innocent.
I had been watching Victoria and Wesley through the windshield as they continued to have an animate discussion, but turned my attention back to Emilio. An innocent ?
Emilio sighed and his harden face softened ever so slightly, Yes, an innocent, Lea. You are being used as a pawn in the power struggle between two major cartel organizations. I know that you witnessed Carter take out Marshall. I know that he took you instead of disposing of a witness because he feels something for you. And I know you had no say in any of this. That makes you an innocent, Emilio paused a moment, and I don’t like when innocents are used the way everyone is using you.
How do you know all that ? I asked slowly and suspiciously as his words began to register.
I can’t tell you that. Just know that all of us within the organizations aren’t cold hearted when it comes to innocents being involved.
What he was telling me was giving me hope that I had an ally here. So help me then.
Emilio looked torn, as if his loyalties were being tested. He cut his eyes to my neck and then looked up, searching my face. I know that pendant you are wearing is a tracker.
I tried to steady my breath, to calm the nervousness at his declaration.
Carter would have been stupid to have sent you out with Victoria without a way to find you. It’s the only thing that has been a constant on you. Victoria and Wesley aren’t exactly known for paying attention to details and that is part of what will eventually be their down fall. His eyes dropped back to the necklace. You have been smart not to activate it yet. It would only cause more people you care about to die.
I laid a hand on Emilio’s arm, Please Emilio, tell me how to get out of their game.
I watched as Emilio turned his attention back to Victoria and Wesley and his face harden. I can’t.
I felt my hope crumble and anger replace it, Then why did you tell me what I already knew ?
Sit back and don’t breathe a word of what I said. Emilio hissed the warning as Victoria turned and headed toward the car.
I sat back and started to buckle my safety belt but stopped as I felt someone watching me. I turned and scanned the area, my eyes landing on familiar dark ones. The man raised a finger to his lip and disappeared as soon as I blinked. I shook my head, and dismissed the encounter as wishful thinking as Victoria and Wesley both opened the back door and slid in beside me.
As we drove, dread once again started to seep into every pore of my being and as Emilio turned into the cemetery, I couldn’t help drawing in a sharp breath,, biting back the urge to reach over and slap the ever present smirk off Victoria’s face.
As if sensing my thoughts, Emilio shot me a warning glare through the review mirror before speaking, We’re here.
I started shaking as he killed the engine to the car and stepped out to open Victoria’s door as Wesley opened his and slammed it close behind himself. I could tell he was still pissed and if given the chance, he wouldn’t hesitate to rip my head off.
Wave after wave of guilt, fear, and anguish washed over me. I sat frozen, unable to move, Victoria’s demand for me to get out of the car was nothing but a garbled mess. Painful flashes of that night five years ago assaulted my mind and heart.
Emilio leaned in and spoke quickly and quietly as he grasped my arm, Breathe Lea. I need you to trust me.
I blinked back the tears and looked questioning at the man. I couldn’t comprehend what Emilio meant, but decided that much like most of the last few years, I didn’t have a choice. I took a deep breath and allowed myself to be pulled from the car.
Follow my lead and just breath. It’s almost over.
Emilio continued to hold onto my arm as we walked up the path that lead to the small private family plot where Cece had been laid to rest. Victoria and Wesley followed a few steps behind, both talking about meeting Miguel.
Keep looking straight ahead and don’t say a word, understand ? Emilio’s voice was barely audible.
I hesitated before answering quietly, Yes.
You will have five minutes to say what you need to to Cecily, after that, I’ll give you a one minute warning. When I do, I want you to slowly count to forty-five, stand, and run to the far side of that building. He nodded toward a small historical church that sat on the far end of the cemetery. Don’t look back and no matter what you hear, you stay there. Understand ?
I didn’t understand. Why ?
Just do it Lea, Emilio hissed as he pulled me to a stop. As Victoria and Wesley stepped up beside me, he pushed me toward Cece’s headstone, Five minutes, Girl. That’s all you get.
I was confused by his change in attitude once more. It had almost seemed as if Emilio was helping me, but now, now I didn’t know what to think.
Can I have a little privacy ? I looked over my shoulder at my entourage.
Victoria and both men took two hesitant steps back. I sighed realizing that I would have to settle for what little privacy I was allowed. I knelt beside Cece’s memorial and brushed off the dust, not caring that the dirt stained my hands or my dress. I sat quietly for a minute, fighting back the tears, unsure of what to say to my little sister.
Hey Ce. I know it’s been too long since I’ve been back here. I paused and drew in a shaky breath. I just couldn’t face the fact that I let you down. You were so strong and brave.
I brushed away the tears that I couldn’t hold back any longer.
I miss you more and more each day. I now know that you don’t blame me for what happened. It took someone turning my life upside down again and loving me even though I don’t deserve it to realize that.
I laid a hand on Cece’s memorial and hung my head as a gentle breeze wrapped around me.
If I get out of this, I promise to tell you everything about him Ce. Even though he can be a total ass at times and I don’t agree with what he does, I think you would like him.
You have one minute girl.
Emilio’s harsh voice startled me. I nodded and started to slowly count.