Page 93 of No Darker Temptation

With each inhalation I feel pain so intense I start to see stars. “Working. We had our phones off.”

“Yeah, Pedro told me. I don’t give a shit if you’re having dinner with the President of the United States, don’t ever turn your phone off again.” She lets out a huff of frustration which I know is how she masks the extent of her worry. “We’re in Vallvidrera and your grandfather is in the hospital. Lettie’s a wreck.”

“Rodrigo told me.” The last word catches on a wince and I rub my chest trying to soothe the ache. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. It was very minor but the doctor said he could have some underlying conditions which triggered the TIA. As soon as he gets discharged in the morning, we’re going to take him home. Lettie’s been calling his doctors and booking appointments like crazy…” She trails off. “She was really scared.”

“He’s the center of Lettie’s world. Can’t you tell? He’s the only one she’s nice to.”

I can hear the smile in her voice as she says, “She called Pedro an idiot and told him to get Don Salazar a Jell-O cup.”

An abrupt burst of laughter leaves me and although it stings, I’m grateful for the levity this moment brings. It’s been a long day.

“Are you okay? You sound funny.”

“I’m fine, just…didn’t take my pain meds.” I lie quickly. “It’s bothering me a little bit to breathe.”

“What am I going to do with you?” She sighs.

“Stay with me for the rest of our lives. That should suffice.”

She doesn’t respond right away. “Your grandfather worried me today. Should he move in with us? Do you want me to make up a room for him? We have plenty of space. He can even have his own apartment on the east end of the house, there’s plenty of space on the second floor.”

I love her.

I love her for her concern, her care, her empathy. For treating my family like her own and carrying any burden of mine without a second thought. Lettie needed someone today and Dahlia was there. Now that Abuelo’s health is cause for concern and there’s a possibility that his grandchildren may need to step in, Dahlia is the first one to open up the doors of her home and she does it with such finality. Such certainty. Like there was never a doubt in her mind it was her job to be there for Lettie today and it’s her job to support Abuelo now that he needs it.

I want to tell her all of this. So much. Yet, I don’t. Because how do I tell her all the things I love and cherish most about her when I myself almost died today? Guilt wraps itself around my throat and squeezes, refusing to let me speak. It takes everything left in me to muster up a reply.

“Abuelo would choose death over being babysat by his grandkids.”

“Well, I don’t care! He’s at an age where he shouldn’t be on his own anyway.”

From the corner of my eye, I spot Dimitrio approaching me. It must be important because he can see I’m on the phone but hasn’t slowed his advance.

“Mi amor, I’ll call you later.”

“Are you driving up here?”

“It’ll be a while with traffic but I’ll do my best. Is my grandfather’s security detail with him?”

“The guy with the beaky nose and murderous eyes?”

“That’s the one.”

“Then yes, he’s here.”

“Have Pedro take you home. Lettie can stay with them if she wants but don’t force her to go back with you if she doesn’t want to.”

“Okay. Call me when you’re on your way home.”

“I will.”

I hang up and Dimitrio says, “At best we have forty-eight hours before people start noticing Walsh and Collins have gone off grid.”

“At worst?”

“Twelve. The forty-eight was me pretending we live in fairyland.”