Page 113 of Keepsake

“Gone, David. It’s that or nothing.”

He nodded right in time as Alvaro ended his adversary. I didn’t wait to chat with David. Those few words we exchanged made me want to shower half a dozen times.

I moved the crowd, not being polite this time until I ended close to the ropes, just at the corner I knew he was going to exit. And right when he turned, his eyes found mine.

My lip quivered in reflex, and I stepped away as he came down from the raised platform.

Sweat, blood, and my tears.

My head was spinning. I opened my mouth, but he shook his head. “Come here.”

I followed him without a word until we ended in a locker room. It stunk of sweat, like it was never washed before. The floors were sticky, making noise as I walked to the middle of the room, bracing myself. Alvaro locked the door. I never asked why he had a key.

“What are you doing here?”

“Illegal gambling?” I asked instead.

“Where are the kids?”

“Dash is home.” I couldn’t stop myself from replying, but I bit my own tongue. “What’s happening, Alvaro?”

He rubbed his eyes, making me wince from the blood smearing his face.

“I come here to…”

“To fight.”

“To deal with shit.”

“Go to fucking therapy.” I chuckled sarcastically. “You know who gave me this address?”

His face was confused, but just for a second, until it opened in clarity. He cursed under his breath.

“He says he’ll tell the cops you’re involved in illegal fighting if we don’t pay him off.”

“He told me that, too.”

“Shit, Alvaro. When? When did you know that?”

“Right after we saw him. He asked for money and…”

“And why have you never told me?”

“Because I never wanted you to know,” he roared in a tone I’d never heard him take with me before.

“Well, now I do.”

“It’s a fucking mess.”

“The kids. I could lose the kids…” I shook my head.

That was all I could think about. I could lose the kids and Alvaro was here, dealing with whatever he wanted to deal with.

“I know.”

His confession made me snap out of my head. “You knew?”

“This fight was for money to give to David. To send him away.”

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