by Aly Martinez
The day he married Catalina, it was nothing more than a deal brokered by Manuel. He made the corrupt attorney with dreams of becoming a judge a part of the family. And Thomas got a beautiful wife to stand at his side, her father’s money backing him, and one of the city’s biggest criminals in his back pocket feeding him the competition like shark bait.
Isabel hadn’t been planned. Two people usually needed to be having sex to plan something like that. But one night after Thomas had come home drunk declaring that it was his wife’s duty to open her legs to him, everything changed. She was already pregnant when I’d met Nic. But the family knew what was happening between him and Catalina. Nic and Dante had gone to blows over it.
But Manuel had needed Thomas, so he’d turned a blind eye and his daughter later sold him down the river for it.
“She won’t be back,” I repeated. “I swear to you. They won’t cause you any problems.”
Playing up the fear, I allowed my breath to hitch as he leaned in close.
His face was mere inches from mine, his breath whispering across my skin as he said, “That’s good to hear. But do not get comfortable, Cora. I don’t waste my time with idle threats. You cross me and you’re done. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to pass that message along to my wife as well.”
“Of course. I’ll remind her.”
He grinned, and then in time with the creak of a door behind us, he abruptly stepped away.
“Cora,” River called, jogging over and throwing her arms around my neck.
I kept my eyes on Thomas as I pulled her into a hug. “Hey, baby.”
“Here’s your things,” the woman said, shuffling over with a grocery sack dangling from the tip of her finger, her phone charger hanging out of a hole in the bottom. She turned a scowl on me. “Maybe next time you should get her an actual bag.”
“There won’t be a next time,” I stated as absolute fact.
“Then we’re clear?” he pressed.
“Crystal,” I murmured.
“Don’t forget your phone.” He grabbed River’s cell off the corner of the woman’s desk and offered it her way.
If looks could kill, River would have saved us all a lot of trouble right then and there.
“Thanks,” she muttered, snatching it from his hand.
After I threw my arm around her shoulders, we started toward the door together. While I wasn’t buying into Thomas’s all-powerful Godfather routine, I was more than ready to get the hell out of there.
“Oh, and, Cora,” he called.
I curled River into my front as I put my chin to my shoulder to look at him. “Yeah?”
“Do say hello to Drew for me. It’s a shame I wasn’t able to meet him today, especially after hearing about what happened to his sister.”
I blinked, and for the first time since I’d entered that room, I felt a sick sense of unease wash over me. I wasn’t sure what he was talking about. Penn had point-blank told me that Drew was his only sibling. But it was the wicked smirk like he’d just dropped a bomb on me that set my teeth on edge. With chills prickling my skin, I opted not to stand around and ask questions.
I dipped my head in acknowledgement and then hurried out the door.
Drew was already out of the truck, sprinting toward us, his face dark and thunderous. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just get in the truck.”
His jaw ticked as he stared at the building.
“Drew,” I hissed, giving his arm a sharp tug. “Let’s go.”
“Right,” he growled, reluctantly following after me.
After we were all in the truck and safely on the road, I turned to Drew. “Do you have a sister?”
He shook his head and white-knuckled the steering wheel. “He had to have been talking about Penn’s wife.”
I guessed that would have been his sister-in-law. “How does he know about that?”
“I don’t know. But the fact that he knows who I am and that he’s been digging around in my past doesn’t sit right with me.”
It didn’t sit right with me, either, but by this time the next day, we wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore.
“Drive around for a little while.” I turned in my seat and looked out the back window. “Make sure we’re not being followed.”
His eyebrows drew together. “I thought you gave the social worker the new address yesterday?”
“I did. But we’re not going home tonight.” I reached into the back seat and took River’s hand. “We’re going to Catalina’s.”
Drew’s head swung in my direction so fast that it was a wonder it didn’t fly off his neck. “What!”
River gasped, stretching her seat belt to the limit as she lurched forward. “Is she back?”
I smiled; my girl did love her aunt. “Yeah. I fronted her some money to get a house a few days ago. With Marcos and Dante gone, she doesn’t have to hide anymore.”
Her big, doe eyes flared. “What about Thomas?”
“Yeah. What about Thomas?” Drew parroted, flicking his furious gaze between me and the road.
“Relax,” I told them both.
“He took me away for funsies. Don’t you think he’ll do the same to Isabel?” River asked, her anxiety making an all-too-frequent appearance.
I gave her hand a squeeze. “He might try. But he won’t be a problem after tomorrow. Catalina’s going to the police. And before you say it, yes, I know firsthand how many crooked people he has at his disposal all across the city. But Catalina has been a missing person for years. Her sudden return will draw national attention the same way it did when she disappeared. Thomas doesn’t have that kind of reach. Besides, she has more than enough on him to put him away forever. Thomas is an idiot. I never would have thought about it if he hadn’t panicked and arrested me. Dante and Marcos didn’t exactly have wills, and since Manuel is still in jail, Cat’s the only Guerrero left. She’ll inherit everything, River. Everything. The legit businesses. The property. The houses. All the stuff Manuel was forced to sign away to his sons when Thomas went after him.”
“Great, so she has money now,” Drew deadpanned. “That doesn’t give her invincibility.”
“No. But it makes him vulnerable. She’s not stuck anymore. Whether you want to admit it or not, money is power for people like us. No, it won’t fix our problems, but it does give us room to breathe and a safety net to fall back on. Catalina walked away the first time with her pride and two hundred dollars. Best decision she ever made. But, now, she doesn’t have to worry about how she’s going to put food on the table. Or pay for a doctor when Isabel gets sick. Or buy school supplies or clothes or put gas in the car. Money doesn’t equal security, but it does offer opportunity. This is our chance, Drew. Me and Cat. We’ve been dreaming of getting out of this life once and for all. And thanks to Penn, now that Marcos and Dante are out of the way, there’s only one obstacle left.” I rested my hand on his forearm. “I’m done hiding. I’m done letting the world roll over me. I’m done being a Guerrero. I want out. I can taste it. It’s so close.”
“Jesus, Cora,” Drew breathed. “You think a man like that is just gonna let Catalina strut back in after four years without consequences?”
“There’s not much he can do to her anymore. He’s aching to get a spot on the bench. And with elections coming in a few months, he needs to start his campaign. Imagine how it’s going to look when his wife and child pop back up, stating that they endured countless years of mental and physical abuse at his hands. Not to mention all the information Catalina has about his extracurricular activities. He fronts like he’s a man of the law, but really, he’s the puppet master behind at least half the crimes that happen in the city everyday. If she can get someone to listen, the proof is already there in the court records. Someone just needs to know where to look.”
“He could kill her!” Drew exclaimed, his sudden outburst causing River to flinch. “And you in the process. I’m sorry, but this is a stupid idea. That man is fucking dangerous, Cora.
And I’m not talking about him trying to take River or whatever other bullshit he has up his sleeve. He has connections far worse than judges and Polo-wearing attorneys he plays golf with on the weekends. I’m talking about bad men who are trying to avoid being prosecuted. Desperate men who will literally do anything to stay on his good side. Finding someone to plow over you and Catalina will be a walk in the park.”
I hooked my leg up onto the seat and turned to face him. “Wow. I’m truly touched by your confidence.”
“This isn’t a pep talk. This is the truth. That’s what you said you wanted from me, right? No more lies? Fine. Then this is insane. And I want no part of it.”
“Then walk away. No one is asking you to stay with us.”
He barked a loud, humorless laugh. “If only that were true.”
I narrowed my eyes on him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He shook his head. “It doesn’t fucking matter. You’re going to do this shit whether I go with you or not, aren’t you?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Yep.”
Through clenched teeth, he gritted out, “Then I guess we’re going to see the infamous Catalina Lyons today.”
A victorious grin split my mouth.
He must have caught it out of the corner of his eye, because without looking at me, he bit out, “Wipe that smile off your face. I’m not happy about this.” But he said it as he turned down a side street that was not on our way home. And as he started our hour-long detour through random neighborhoods, his gaze constantly flicking to the rearview mirror, he muttered, “Christ. Another fucking Nancy Drew. And he says he doesn’t have a type.”
Penn
Drew: Please tell me you have eyes on Thomas.
Me: On him now. Why?
I was sitting up the street from Thomas’s house. It had become my nightly routine. With the parade of women, maids, colleagues, and a few randoms I’d yet to identify in and out of his house all week, it was proving more difficult than I’d ever thought to get the piece of shit alone. But tonight was the night.
He was with the brunette from the courthouse again. It marked the third time this week. And if it went anything like those nights, she’d tiptoe out around two in the morning, twisting only the lock on the knob before hurrying to her car. That gave me a full five hours before his maid showed up.
Pad that window with time to get in and out and I had four glorious hours to watch him die.
It was almost eleven. I pulled the security app up on my phone. And according to the camera above my front door, which I’d yet to mention to Savannah, she either was already in bed or had turned into Spider-Man, scaled down six floors, and gone out for the night. I was betting on the former. She’d been doing really well. I hadn’t been able to get her into a real rehab facility yet, but I’d hired a private doctor who specialized in addiction who came by every couple of days, and I’d even gone to a few NA meetings with her too.
If I didn’t make it back, I was really going to miss that kid. But she knew how to find Drew if anything ever happened to me. And since my will left everything to Cora Guerrero, I had peace of mind that they’d always be taken care of.
I stared at Drew’s text as if I could read between the lines and find an explanation.
Me: You going to elaborate?
Ten minutes later, my chest was starting to get tight. He’d texted me earlier that day that they were going to pick up River. I’d hoped that meant Thomas was backing off Cora. But now…something didn’t feel right.
Me: Hello! Is everything okay?
When another ten minutes passed without a response, my anxiety climbing with every tick of the second hand, I gave up on the waiting game and called.
It went to voicemail after the second ring.
Motion at Thomas’s front door caught my attention. He was walking out with his hand on the brunette’s lower back. He paused to lock up and then escorted her down the short walk to her silver Lexus.
The phone vibrated in my hand.
Drew: With Cora. Can’t talk. Just stay on him until I can fill you in.
He was with her. I blew out a relieved breath. That was good. Really good, and my pulse responded immediately.
Brake lights backing out of Thomas’s driveway drew my gaze up.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I whispered as Thomas’s Cadillac followed her Lexus out onto the main road.
I put my car in drive and eased out in the opposite direction. I’d hit the neighborhood loop and meet him at the entrance. But my suspicions grew as she turned left and he cut right. Okay, so they weren’t going somewhere together. Not a huge deal, except Thomas wasn’t known to be a night owl.
I followed him a few car lengths back as he drove across town. With the city lights twinkling behind us, he led me into the burbs. It was a nice-ish area. The houses were spread out and off the main road. The lack of traffic made it difficult to stay close. In his richy-rich neighborhood, my Audi blended right in. But there, I might as well have had a neon sign on my hood.
As he rolled to a stop, I quickly zipped into a nearby driveway and cut my lights, praying that the family who lived inside was fast asleep and not peering out the window. I sank low in my seat when a beat-up ’90s-model sedan pulled up behind him. Two men climbed out and Thomas joined them, but he didn’t greet them before taking off with long and heavy strides down the dark road, the newest additions to our party falling into step behind him.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I asked the night as I silently folded out of my car. I tucked my gun into the back of my jeans and skulked into the shadows.
Just when I was convinced Thomas was only out for some late-night cardio, the three men turned toward a quaint little brick house complete with a farmhouse mailbox. The street was dead that time of night, only a few porch lights exposing the homes.
But the front door he was heading toward had glowing windows wrapping all the way around. I inched closer, sinking deep into the wooded tree line that divided the homes.
And that’s when everything stopped.
My heart.
The Earth.
Time.
My truck was sitting in the driveway.
My truck that I’d sold to Drew for a dollar.
My truck that I’d left Cora over a million dollars inside.
My fucking truck that Drew was no doubt driving that night.
And he was with Cora.
Panic iced my veins, stealing the air from my lungs. But one beat later, the rolling fire of adrenaline set me ablaze.
“Oh, shit,” I breathed as Thomas walked straight to the front door, the two men splitting off in opposite directions, heading around to the back. I frantically weighed my options: I could go after Thomas or follow the two men who were entirely too reminiscent of the ones Thomas had sent to kill Lisa.
And then, somehow, everything got worse.
The front door yanked open and Thomas whipped a gun out of his pocket. I was barely able to make out the “Where the fuck is my wife?” before the gunshot exploded into the silent night.
I didn’t think.
I didn’t plan.
I didn’t even consciously decide to move.
I just took off at a dead sprint, her blue eyes fueling my every step.
It took me a thousand years to reach that house. I darted up the driveway and then through the open door. As soon as my feet hit that fucking carpet, I scanned the room, searching for the only thing that could ever slow my racing heart.
She wasn’t there. At least not that I could see.
Drew was sitting on Thomas’s chest, his fist flying at his face. He paused long enough to turn his rabid gaze on mine, the flicker of recognition hitting him just before he continued his assault. “They’re in the bedroom,” he barked. “Go. Now.”
My vision flashed red and my body graced me with yet another surge of power when the sound of a woman’s gurgled scream echoed through the room.
“Cora!” I ro
ared, following the commotion into the hall.
My lungs seized as I found one of Thomas’s men straddling a woman. She kicked and flailed beneath him as he squeezed at her throat.
It wasn’t Cora, but that only meant I still had no idea where she was.
Diving forward, I bulldozed him off her. The guy wasn’t small by any standards, but he was clumsy and clearly not driven by raw emotion the way I was. We rolled together, banging against the walls until we reached one of the open bedrooms. We exchanged punches—however, with an endless source of rage feeding my fight, he soon fell limp.
I rose off his unconscious body and turned my prowl onto the woman who I recognized from pictures to be Catalina. Her brown eyes and smooth olive skin matched her brothers’.
“Where is she?” I rumbled, wiping the blood off my bottom lip with the back of my hand.
With tears streaming down her face, she lifted her hands in surrender. “W…wait,” she stammered, backing into the corner.
“Cora. Tell me where she is,” I demanded.
Coughing between words, she managed to choke out, “There’s…nobody else…here. I swear. Nobody.” Her whole body trembled as I advanced on her. “No, please.”
I leaned into her face and in a violent whisper said, “I’m not here to hurt you, Catalina. I need to find Cora, and then I’m going to get you all out of here.”
She blinked at me, her chin quivering as she asked, “Who are you?”
I didn’t get the chance to answer before the sweetest sound that had ever hit my ears came from behind me.
My heart started.
The Earth spun.
And forever began.
One in. One out.
“Penn?”
Cora
The day Nic died, I remembered not being able to comprehend anything. As I’d sat on the sidewalk, watching them load his body into an ambulance, the cops had spoken to me. Their mouths moved. Sounds found my eardrums. But nothing made it to my brain. Every now and then, I found words coming out of my mouth to answer a question, but it was more like an involuntary reflex than a conscious thought.