Maria’s eyes hardened. “When that didn’t work, Hector hired men to come in and destroy the bar.”
Erin’s eyes widened. “His own brother? What happened?”
“After several rounds of interviews, Daniel was cleared.” Maria sighed. “And he had enough money to buy the bar and turn it into a prosperous, legal establishment. Something Hector could have never done.” She looked at Erin. “You see, mija, there are problems everywhere. And sometimes sharing them makes the load lighter.”
“Is Hector in jail?”
Maria grimaced. “No. Though the police still search for him.” She gave Erin a platter to dry. “And Daniel is very careful who he lets into the club. He has an alarm and night watchmen. For now, it is all he can do.”
Erin’s thoughts whirled through her brain rapidly. “And Max? Is he Daniel’s bodyguard?”
“Bodyguard and friend since elementary school.” Maria’s brown eyes were sad. “Who would have thought one of my children would need a bodyguard?” She turned back to the sink and began to wash again.
Erin grabbed a plate and dried it. “And what of Erica?”
Maria sighed. “A beautiful, troubled child.”
The description matched the one social workers gave her so closely that she almost dropped the plate in her hands. How many times had she heard that? The face of an angel and the soul of a devil. Erin shivered in the warm room.
“You keep her?” Erin put the plate up in the cabinet with shaking hands.
“Yes.” Maria turned to study her. “You’ve noticed her silence, I suppose.” She shook her head. “Her younger brother runs and plays with the others. Erica? She will not. I’ve tried to speak with her. But she will not say anything to me. I don’t know if it is embarrassment or shame.” Maria dabbed her eyes. “But nothing I say seems to matter. And the other children have quit trying to get her to join their fun.”
Erin patted the older woman on the back. “Would you mind if I tried to talk to her some more? Maybe see if I can get her to open up? I wouldn’t upset her,” Erin assured her. “I would never do that. I promise.”
Maria turned fully then and hugged Erin tightly. The familiar panic welled in Erin’s chest for just the space of a few seconds until that was slowly replaced with a calm. The older woman patted her back for a second and moved toward the sink.
“I will finish the dishes, mija. Find Erica. Please.”
Erin nodded, put down her towel, and moved toward the kitchen door. “Thank you for a lovely dinner, Maria.”
“My pleasure, child.”
* * * *
Erin moved through the large house carefully. She could gauge where the groups of people were by the conversation flowing around her. The house boasted several Santa Fe prints and marigolds that spilled out of vases at every table. Family pictures took up wall after wall. Erin promised herself that she would study them after she found Erica.
It was always so fascinating to see someone’s family tree through portraits. One picture stopped her in her tracks. Daniel and his brothers. Three small boys with arms slung around each other with mile-wide grins. Daniel was the tallest. Jose obviously hadn’t hit his growth spurt yet. The thought made her chuckle. And the other boy must be Erica’s dad. Erin leaned in closer. She could see the girl in his eyes and the shape of his face.
What happened to make a small, smiling boy turn to a life of crime? To irrevocably change his life and hurt all those around him? How could one life go so wrong?
She leaned back abruptly and swallowed the lump in her throat. What a stupid question. Wasn’t she living proof of bad timing and poor decisions? But it wasn’t drugs that changed her. No. Not quite.
A hand on her shoulder scared the hell out of her. She spun quickly with her own hand up before she could think.
Daniel’s hazel eyes peered intently down at her. “I made noise. I cleared my throat. I’m sorry to scare you, querida.” He rubbed his nose with a rueful smile. “I have learned my lesson.”
Erin’s hand dropped, and she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I’m sorry.” She rubbed her arms and stepped away. “I was thinking.”
Daniel picked up her hand and placed it in his. “You’re cold.” He warmed her palm with his two hands. “And I don’t think you were thinking anything pleasant. Would you like to speak with me?”
“No, thank you.” Erin bit her lip. “I’m fine. You just startled me.”
“As you wish.” Daniel brought her hand to his mouth and gave it a light kiss. “Did you want to leave?”
Erin glanced back to the picture. “Not quite yet. Do you know where Erica is?”
“I do.” Daniel’s gaze narrowed.
“I’m not going to upset her.” Erin met his eyes. “I spoke to your mother. She said it was okay. I’m simply troubled by her silence.”
“You and the rest of the family.” Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. “I never thought you would upset her. She’s simply a sensitive child. And I worry about her.” He looked at the photograph behind her with sad eyes. “I just don’t understand.” His pain was palpable.
Erin reached for him this time. She threaded her fingers through his and squeezed lightly. “I won’t upset her. I only want to see if I can help her.”
Daniel brought her knuckles to his mouth again. “I know.” He dropped her hand. “She’s outside on the deck. I’ll be making a few calls in the house.” He walked with long strides away from her.
Erin watched his strong form until she could no longer see him. He was a handsome man with a fine build to match. She could see the breadth of his shoulders and the slim taper to his waist. And she could see the splendid muscles of his ass as he walked away. Erin’s pulse spiked dangerously, and she fanned herself with her hand.
She wasn’t going there. She refused to. Sex was merely a physical act to satisfy a need. And she had everything she needed. There wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that she would sleep with Daniel.
Erin turned smartly on her heel and went to find Erica.
* * * *
The picture was the same. Eight or nine children shrieked and laughed with each other while one little girl watched them silently from the shadows. It broke Erin’s heart. She walked slowly over to the child so Erica could see her coming. The girl glanced up once at her and then went back to watching the other children.
“Do you mind if I sit down?” Erin motioned to the chair opposite Erica.
The girl shrugged.
Erin pulled out the chair and sat down. The cool breeze filtered through and lifted Erin’s hair. She smiled and held out her hand to touch the gentle wind. “It’s a lovely day.”
They sat in silence for a minute before Erin spoke. “I’m an only child.” She watched the group of children collapse on the ground laughing as one of the puppies took their ball and ran. “I’m not used to this.”
“Why are you here then?” The tone was bitter.
“Your uncle Daniel invited me.” She let the words sink in. “And I’m glad I came.” She leaned forward a bit to the little girl. “I’ll let you know something else, too.” Erin took a deep breath and told the girl one of her biggest fears and secrets. “I don’t fit in anywhere.”
The girl’s dark eyes looked closely at Erin. Erica examined her hair and face. Then nodded slowly. “I believe you.” Erica motioned to the children. “They quit asking me to play months ago. They don’t understand.”
“I know it’s hard, Erica. And I won’t tell anyone what we talked about. But do you want to talk with me about it?”
The girl started to shake her head, but Erin’s voice stopped her. “Don’t decide right now, Erica. I know how hard it is to trust someone. And I would never take your trust and throw it away.”
“I’m different,” she whispered. “And no one can fix me.”
Erica stood quickly and walked back inside.
Erin watched her go with a frown on her face. That little girl was hurting. With shame? As all her family thought? O
r was there something more that no one could see? The thoughts went round and round in Erin’s head.
She remembered being that young with no one to talk to. The constant fear in her body while surrounded with other kids of her age and older who didn’t have families. Many kids formed a family of their own in the system. Being a number hurt. But being with others like themselves eased the pain a bit. Or at least it should have. Until she fell in with a crowd that swore they would protect her. But they never did.
A tear slid slowly down her cheek and splashed on one of her hands in her lap. Erica had a family. A caring unit that would die for her. She didn’t have to worry about not having enough to eat. Or men sneaking into her bed late at night.
Erin shuddered and gasped for breath as a memory slammed into her before she could stop it. A foster father. The first of many. She hadn’t even been ten. Erin stood quickly and almost ran into Daniel’s chest.
His strong arms folded her tightly to his chest. But it wasn’t panic that crept through her. It was relief. She recognized the cologne he wore. The smell of his aftershave. Erin tucked closer and fought the tremors that still worked through her body. He stroked her hair softly and murmured quietly and reassuringly in her ear.
Erin found her balance slowly. She wasn’t a child any longer. She was a grown woman capable of handling her own affairs. Dependent on no one. Because when she gave pieces of herself away, she never got them back.
She stepped back from Daniel and smoothed her hands down her pants. She opened her mouth, but he laid his finger across them. Erin looked up and blinked.
“Whatever you’re about to say, querida, whether you will say you were thinking or not, is immaterial. Okay?” Erin nodded. “Are you all right? You have been crying.” Daniel gently brushed a tear away.
“Fine,” she said. “I’m fine. Just give me a minute, please.”
“Anything for you.” Daniel hooked his thumbs in the pocket of his pants and whistled. “Nice weather we’re having, isn’t it?”
Erin snickered which turned into laughter. “Quit being so accommodating.” She shook her head. “I was thinking.”
Daniel’s hazel eyes pinned her. “Whatever you think about, Erin, cannot be good for you. It always brings tears. And there is a deep pain in your beautiful blue eyes. Can I help you?”
She choked back the lump in her throat with a great deal of effort. “Whoever said that men were insensitive jerks? That they didn’t pay attention to details?”
“I have a good Mama.” Daniel nodded sagely.
“Oh geez.” Erin sank back down. “I just need to sit for a moment.”
“I will join you.” Daniel folded his long length into the vacant seat by her. He stretched out his legs and folded them at the ankle. He tucked his hands behind his head and studied the sky.
Erin gathered her composure slowly. It seemed to take so much effort these days. And still Daniel stayed and looked at the sky without saying a word. She watched the children play until Maria called them in to clean up.
“I’ve had a rough childhood.” Erin didn’t look at Daniel as she spoke. “I had no one. I had to take care of myself.” She swallowed the pain and bitter humiliation that always came with her memories. She cleared her throat. “And there were times that I didn’t do such a great job of it.”
“That’s why you care for the young ones.” Daniel nodded as if affirming something for himself. “I’ve seen that. You want them to have more than you did. How could they lose with you as their champion?”
“Don’t.” The word was wrenched from her tight throat. “I’m no one’s champion, Daniel. No hero. Nothing even remotely close.” Erin’s hands clenched and unclenched in her lap. “I’ve come to accept what I am. What I’ve done. But don’t look at me with rose-colored glasses and see me for more than I am or ever will be.” Erin stood. “I’m going to say my goodbyes.” She walked away and didn’t glance back.
* * * *
Erin said goodbye to Isabel and the rest of the family. And then she found Maria in the living room. The older woman smiled wanly when she approached.
“It’s been a long day for you, mija, but I’m glad Daniel brought you here this evening.” The woman’s hazel eyes smiled up to hers. “You are welcome here anytime. And please feel free to come by and see Erica.” She stood and hugged Erin tightly. “You are a lovely woman, Miss Sanders. Please don’t be a stranger.”
“Thank you.” Tears clogged Erin’s throat at Maria’s simple statement. “You have a beautiful family. And I was honored to be a part of that this evening.” She softly kissed the woman’s cheek. “It’s been a long day for you, also. You need to rest.”
Maria chuckled. “It’s amazing how we women can see everyone else’s needs but our own.” Maria stood slowly and winked at her as she walked toward the stairs.
Erin watched her go until she could no longer see the other woman.
“Grandma Maria likes you.”
Erin turned slowly and looked at Erica. “She seems to. And I know for a fact she loves you. We’re lucky, aren’t we?”
Erica shrugged.
“Would you like me to come back and see you, Erica? Maybe to talk? Or we could just sit and watch the birds in the backyard?” Erin held her breath as she waited for the answer.
Another shrug. “I guess.” The little girl walked past her and stopped at the bottom of the stairs. She looked searchingly at Erin. “You’re older. Do you fit in now?”
“I try.” Erin was honest. She held her hand over her heart. “Parts of me are very afraid that I’ll never fit in.”
“Me, too.” And then the girl raced up the stairs.
Someone cleared his throat.
Erin glanced behind her and scowled. “And how long have you been there?”
“A few minutes.” Daniel moved up to her side and cupped her elbow in his hand. “I will take you home this evening. Your car is already at your house. And I had my cousin add a spare.” He frowned. “You had a doughnut. That is not suitable.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Not suitable?”
“You do not need to be stranded on the side of the road.”
“I’m a big girl, Daniel, not one of your nieces.” Her independent nature warred with her gratefulness. “I do, however, appreciate you concern.”
“How do women do that?” Daniel cocked his head to the side. “You say nice things with a warning tone underneath.” He looked puzzled.
“It’s a gift.” Erin sighed and shook her elbow loose from his hand. “Listen, I have papers to grade and things to do at my house. Can we leave?”
Erin followed him out to his car and slid inside the passenger side. Daniel joined her and sat there for a minute.
“I’m assuming you have a key somewhere to actually start this thing?” Erin blinked at him innocently.
Daniel turned in his seat and looked at her. “I can count on my hand the number of times Erica has spoken to me. So I would please ask you to come visit her as often as you can.” He took his key and started the car.
“Daniel.” Erin sighed. “She’s hurting over something. Can you tell me anything about what happened?”
“About my brother?” Daniel growled low. “He has hurt his children beyond measure. They only have one parent, and he has failed them.” He pulled out of the driveway and onto the street.
“And he has hurt your business?”
Daniel glanced at her. “Hector owned the club before me. Around a year later, we noticed the clientele had changed dramatically. There were drug dealers frequenting the bar. We didn’t realize then that Hector designed it that way. He had his hands on every transaction in that place.” Daniel paused. “And then he employed prostitutes to service the customers and dealers. It was his downfall.
“An undercover cop came in one evening and acted as if he were a drug dealer looking for a good time. As soon as he was propositioned, he flashed his badge and all hell broke loose.” Daniel rubbed his temple. “Agents stormed the pl
ace and rounded everyone up. Hector hid both drugs and money somewhere in the club.” He glanced at Erin again. “No one has ever found either.”
“The bar break-in?”
Daniel glanced at her sharply. “You’ve talked to Mama.” He nodded and then sighed. “I just installed a brand new alarm, but it was deactivated and the club turned upside-down. The agents didn’t have enough sense to keep my brother under armed guard. He escaped after only a month of trials. No one has seen him since.”
Daniel pulled into her driveway and parked behind her car. He killed the engine and sat there. “My brother has made many mistakes in his life. He has hurt those closest to him. His children are without either parent.” Daniel looked at her with pain in his hazel eyes. “But he’s still my brother.”
“I’m sorry.” Erin touched his shoulder. “I didn’t mean to bring all this up. I just thought it would help if I knew a bit of background so I might be able to help Erica. I’m not a counselor,” she warned. “I’m not going to be able to do much but listen.”
“I will do the same.”
Erin’s startled blue eyes met his hazel ones. “What?” she sputtered.
“I’ll listen to you, Erin.” Daniel leaned in closer and brushed his mouth over hers gently. “When you’re ready to tell me what you think of when you go far away.”
Chapter 6
Erin hurried inside her home and shut the door. She leaned against the strong wood with her heart pounding in her chest. Daniel Rodriguez. A good and honorable man who liked to hold her hand and kiss her.
Oh, God help me.
She sank to the floor and cradled her head in her hands. She could still feel his warm, soft mouth on hers. Erin groaned and closed her eyes. She was not going to fall for the beautiful man. No. Not her. She wasn’t cut out for relationships at all. She had her work and her kids.
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