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Mark’s voice is back after the water noise ends. “Want to flip me off again?” I try to huff a sigh, but it barely comes out. “I can keep talking to you if you want? Sniff if you want me to stay on the line.”
I do want that. He is calming me. He sounds concerned and pleased and proud of me and so many things. But he’s also just gotten what he needs from me. And he’s the reason I need calming in the first place.
I cough.
“Okay, then. Get some rest. You can cough or sneeze if you need me, I’ll hear you.” He sounds defeated now. “I’ll be right here, Ellie.”
I don’t respond. I go out and splash water on my face and take off the shirt. I crawl into bed and shake. I know he’s watching. And despite it all, that knowledge comforts me.
•••••
I hear the commotion in the house at the same time Robbie says Mark’s arrived in my ear. I walk out but I don’t see my husband. He’s ushered to uncle’s office by a group of men just as I hit the bottom of the stairs.
“Eleanna, come eat something.” My mamá says to me across the entryway. I follow her and try not to roll my eyes. She and tía Rosa have both been hovering. So much so that earlier I finally had to declare that I was going to lie down. Then I paced in my room, figuring that even if my uncle’s men were watching, pacing while waiting for my husband to be released is a normal action.
Normal.
I take back what I said all my years about wanting this life, these traditions. I take back all of it. Now, I just want to find my own place. My own peace. Away from here. I am snapped out of my thoughts in the kitchen when I hear my Mamá say Arlo’s name. Then my aunt spits.
“What…what happened to Arlo?” I ask.
“He was a traitor to the family and an evil pig.” Mamá utters.
“A devil in our ownfamilia,” my aunt whispers. I just look between them until she answers. “He was mixed up in the child pornos. Filth. They found so much of it. And he was running his own operation outside ofla familia.He’s in jail now.”
“If he lives, that is. Raul said he’s already been put in solitary, because he was so badly beaten.” My mother says, eyes wide.
Arlo is gone.
I feel…strange. I’m relieved. He’d been trying to get close to me again, find ways into the house or onto my security detail for special events. For years. Years I had to watch my back.
But Mark took him out. For me.
It’s just…that was fast.
Scary fast.
So. Mark’s brotherhood or whatever it is, really is as powerful as he says. Which means he really will pick apart and take down my whole family.
Because they are—Mark is—telling the truth. About his whole family burning alive. About sex slaves, human trafficking, and some kind of drug smuggling operation that is connected to our government?
It’s all too much.
But.
I made my demands. Mia will get out. My brothers will be spared. I will warn Luna. Before her world is destroyed. Hers and mine.
I can’t stomach the thought of eating.
“How is Raul?” I ask. They already told me he lived but didn’t give details.
“Fine, fine. Ready to be back at your side already but he had to have surgery. It’ll be a week or so.” She says casually as she fusses with place settings for the table.
I nod and grab a roll. “I’m just taking this to my room. I can’t really eat right now, Mamá.”
“Okay,mi niña. Take more water. When Mark comes out I will send him up to you.”
Mark.
