“The Boss is a glorified librarian and a historian for the cartel, serving as no more than a databank of facts, figures, and rules,” Alita said, hoping the Czar didn't cut out her tongue for what she was about to say next.“He has no crew and no territory and generates revenue by creating oils and natural pesticides that you sell to other farmers.”
“Are you saying my son is soft?”
“No, he has a higher purpose outside of selling sweaty bodies in low-rent buildings or packing product to hit the back-alley ways,” Alita said.“His scientific mind is protected by the cartel because he is a man of use.Service to humanity can come in different forms, outside of branded ink and lineage.What he will leave in this world pales in comparison to the journey he has just begun, Señor.”
Eduardo stared at her.“You're smarter than you let on.”
“Would the Boss keep me on his payroll if I could not match his intellect?He does not suffer fools or vapid women,” she threw out a precursor to what was coming their way.
“Is that a warning shot across my bow?”
“Señor, I am a simple guard.My job is to protect the Boss.That is what I am paid to do,” Alita added.
“And by offering me just enough information, do you consider yourself protecting him from me?”
“A mirror can never see itself, Señor,” she said as Micah came down the stairs, hair still damp and noticing Alita's body language.He stopped in front of his father.
“Papa, is everything okay?”
“She is wearing her hair differently and new clothes; the trip went well?”Eduardo asked.
“Sí, Papa, Tim the Johnson showed us how to make simple meals, prepare the list for the shopping for food, and do the laundry,” Micah said.“I've never done laundry or washed the dirty dishes.Living on our own will be a challenge.”
Eduardo turned to Alita and asked, “Do you think it will be a challenge, Alita?”
“No, Señor, I do not,” Alita said.“The Boss doesn't like clutter, so cleaning up behind himself should be no issue since I have no intention of being his maid or cook.”
“I didn't ask you to,” Micah said, challenging her in front of his father.
“I seem to recall you burned the chicken, Boss, and struggled to change the scratchy bedding opting to sleep on top of the covers, but we shall see,” Alita said, the side of her lip quivering.
“The temperature of the oil was not optimal!Plus, there was too much oil in the pan, and the meat would havethe greasytexture, removing the oil, wait, you are making the funny,” Micah said, scowling at her.He squinted his eyes, growled, and went for the door.He threw up his hand in defeat but also a statement of them moving forward.“Alita!We ride!”
She shrugged and offered Eduardo a slight smile that faded quickly.He watched her follow his son out the door, taking the front seat of the Jeep.From under the seat, she extracted an automatic assault rifle that she held like a guerrilla riding into the village to steal chickens and eggs and possibly an untouched maiden.At his side, Eduardo’s wife, Ryanne appeared.
“They are a funny pair,” she said softly.
“I'm not sure I understand what I see when I'm looking at them,” Eduardo said.“The next few weeks are going to be interesting.”
“Sure, I will,” Ryanne offered.“You know he is going to find fault with each one of your selections.”
He turned quickly to face his wife.“You think so?”
“I know so because none of them will be like Alita,” Ryanne said.“He's made his choice on who he wants to spend his life with; they simply have to go through the motions and figure it out.He loves her, or the equivalent of his expression of it, or whatever that may be in his head.She came back with three suitcases of clothing, including ballgowns.”
“Ball gowns?I do not understand,” Eduardo said.
“He is planning for Alita to sit at his side,” Ryanne explained.“I'm sure Tonda had tuxedos, but I never saw you put him in one to dine at the table with you and honored guests.He stood behind you at the table and never sat next to you for formal affairs, and even then, he wasn't wearing a tux.Micah purchased ball gowns for her.She also has her hair down.They are letting you know that they are making choices.”
“I don't know if I like the choices.”
“She is going to prove to you, in her quiet way, why she is perfect for him, and honestly, I am ready to see it,” Ryanne said as Isabella arrived, wearing cowboy boots, a hat, and two toy guns at her hips.“Isabella, what are you doing?”
“I'm going to ride my pony,” she said.“Mara is coming with me.Oh, I need some apples.”
She walked away, the guns bouncing, a spring in her step.Eduardo watched his oldest daughter, simply shaking his head.“She looks like she is going out to fuck somebody up.”
“Give her time,” Ryanne said, laughing.
