Page 106 of Alonzo

“She’s OK?”

“She’s OK.”

“That’s great. I’m so happy for you.”

“I can’t see her yet. There’s too much going on. And she’s safe where she is. If I show up now, I could fuck it all up.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s OK. She’s better than good, actually. The Dumas family bought the Conch Shell and then helped her buy another, better motel up near South Carolina.” Belinda shrugs. “They wanted her well away from the drama when I had to leave. The FBI isn’t who we think they are. There are dark things happening in that organization. Bad things, Tara. I guess the Dumas family has had some kind of arrangement with them for decades. They look the other way when they bring the kids in, but every once in a while they sneak in an extra kid. Not an orphan from some third-world country. But a highly-trained… weapon. Like that little Wendy girl. That’s what you walked into two years ago with Diablo.

“What?”

“That’s what I walked into eight years ago with the Dumas family. Tony told me that was the first time an extra kid appeared. Last time, too. It was just a freak coincidence that I saw it go down. But tomorrow night it’s gonna happen again. That’s why Johnny is here with the man with the little girl. They’re picking this kid up to keep her safe because someone is trying to kill her. But Quint said that the FBI is here too. And they expect Alonzo to pick up this kid and hand her over to them.”

“Holy shit.”

“I know. It’s crazy. But Alonzo and his family—and even the Bostons. They’re not involved in what we thought. The FBI sent me to Fort Collins, but the Dumas family took care of my mom after I had to leave. They were afraid the FBI would target her because she saw too much that night too. She knows I’m alive. And maybe one day we’ll see each other again, but it’s enough for me to know she’s safe. Ya know?”

“I get it.” But I don’t. Not really. Because I have never worried about someone like that. I never had anyone to worry about like that.

Just Lonnie.

And now… well.

“He’s not a bad guy, Tara.”

I know this. I know he’s not. But I’m not ready to admit that yet. “You said he was.”

“I was wrong.”

“He lied to me.”

“You lied to him. And both of you had very good reasons to lie.”

I sigh. Because he’s not the problem. I’m not really mad at him. He’s mad at me. “I accused him of something pretty terrible.”

“You didn’t have all the information.”

“I know. But I should’ve known better. Lonnie isn’t capable of the things I accused him of.”

“No. Probably not. But you weren’t talking to Lonnie. You were talking to Alonzo. And let’s be honest here, you don’t have any idea who he is.”

“That’s a good point. I should’ve used that in my argument.”

“There’s still time.”

I shake my head. “No. He’s made it pretty clear he’s done with me.”

“Really?” She cocks her head at me. “Then why is he on the porch, looking in here at you like a very sad puppy?”

I turn around and see him, still on the other side of the screen. He’s got his shirt off, all those beautifully dangerous tats on display, and his hands in his jeans pockets. Kinda shrugging his shoulders like he’s not sure what to say.

Belinda squeezes my arm as she passes me. “I’ll be over at Tony’s if you need me. I hear there’s a bunch of kids who could use a good rescue.”

She opens the screen door and pushes past Lonnie.

But he doesn’t come in. Just lets the screen door smack closed.