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“I do not mean to distress you,mi hija,” Eda says, concern written across her face. “I just want you to be safe.”
I shake my head and ask determinedly: “How?”
“Darling–”
“How will he stop me from running?”
Eda looks at me sadly. “He hopes the Reaper will do it for him.”
“Arnie?” I say in disbelief. “No, he wouldn’t do that.”
“And Connor knows this,” Eda raises her hands to me in a soothing motion.
“So?” I snap a little too aggressively.
Eda’s mouth closes, then twitches before opening again. “I should not be telling you this.”
“Please,” I reach across the table to grab her hand. “Eda, I need to know.”
“You’re upset. I shouldn’t be troubling you.”
My desperation gets the better of me. “Please. If you truly used to care for me as your daughter.”
Her dark eyes begin to water with emotion. “He knows the Reaper’s weakness. He will use him to control you.”
I sit back in my chair, Eda grasping desperately at my hands as I pull away.
So that’s it then. If Connor can’t get what he wants, he’ll use Arnie to get to me. One way or another. I swallow down the lump in my throat.
Would Arnie really choose me over my brother if the time ever came? Now, I suddenly feel unsure. The ring on my finger suddenly feels too heavy to bear. Eda is right. The longer I deny that I’m a part of this game, the more I will end up losing. My own brother has already begun taking measures to ensure I will stay by his side.
“I am sorry,mi hija.”
I look up at Eda, her eyes still brimming with unshed tears. It’s not her fault my brother did this. From the beginning, she’s only put my best interests first, offering me the truth when no one else was willing.
“Thank you,” I breathe out, gaining the sudden itch to crawl into bed. “You have been nothing but honest with me, and I want to thank you for your loyalty. Whatever I did to deserve it.”
I finish my drink, the bitter liquid washes down my throat like a gentle caress, and I grab my coat. All the while, Eda attempts to compose herself.
“My darling, you have been one of the only truly good things in my wretched life. You do not know what it means to me to hear you say this.” She pulls out a card from her purse and hands it to me. “If you ever need my help, I am only a phone call away. I will protect you whatever the cost.”
With my coat wrapped around my shoulders, I reach for the card. Matte black with a single string of numbers, different from the combination that texted me earlier.
“This is my personal number,” Eda explains. “I trust you will use it only when needed.”
I look up at the cartel matriarch gratefully.
“Thank you.”
“Go now, rest, my darling.” She offers me a motherly smile. “I will see you again soon.”
I take my purse and flee the scene with as much restraint as I can muster.
Turmoil wretches through my stomach as I step out into the night. Hoping, somehow, I can become lost to it.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Arnie
