Page 43 of Punished

“ADRIAN!” I scream as the bullet rushes for us. Adrian drops us to the ground and another shot rings out. I watch as Julian’s brains splatter in front of his body. I readjust my eyes and fall into complete shock when I see the person holding the gun behind Julian’s lifeless body. My tia Vicky rushes toward me. I look to Adrian and cry out. He dropped in enough time to dodge the bullet Julian sent for us.

“Get her in the car now!” I watch as motorcycles fly down the hill toward us. Adrian throws us into the back seat and I cling to him. Axel and Thalia take the front seats as he speeds to the hospital.

“You’re okay. Everything’s okay.” Adrian peppers mewith kisses and rubs my back. I cry into him. My eyes are heavy, and my body is exhausted.He’s okay.I almost lost him, but he’s okay. She heard me. La Santa Muerte heard me and spared his life. I close my eyes and let the tears flow freely in gratitude.

“Breathe, Mireya. You are here in this moment. You are safe, and you are cared for.”

When I awake again, I see the white walls and smell that familiar scent. I’m lying in a hospital bed. I look around and find Adrian sleeping next to me. I’m okay. He’s okay. I touch his face, and his eyes open.

“Diosa.” He pulls me into him, kissing the top of my head, and I start to cry again. I swallow and my voice cracks. He has on a clean white undershirt, and I take in that familiar scent of jasmine and chrysanthemum.

“I thought I would never see you again.”

He kisses my forehead, and he wipes the tears away. My body is trembling, and I can’t stop. It’s as if the wall I put up to hold it in all these years has broken and every hurt flows through, finally finding their own peace.

“I would never let anything happen to you.” We lay there like that, embracing each other as we drift back tosleep. When the sun pours in through the windows, I open my eyes and take a moment to adjust to the light. I search for the clock. It’s a little after seven in the morning, and I hear the sound of heels moving toward the door and a woman’s voice.

Adrian must have set guards outside my room. I hadn’t seen one nurse or doctor enter the room. I listen to the voices in the hall and recognize one.

“You will let me in this room immediately!” As I suspected, she gets her way, and I look up to see Tia Vicky walk through the door. Adrian jumps up right away and reaches for his gun.

“Tia,” I say, pulling Adrian back. He lowers the weapon, and my tia gives him an ear to ear smile as she moves towards me.

“How are you doing, mija?” I start to cry again, and it’s really out of my control at this point.

“I’m good. Just emotional,” I say and wipe at the tears. I have never been so happy to see her. She’s dressed more casually than yesterday. A black lace blouse and jeans. As beautiful as she has always been.

“It’s the hormones, mija.” She moves to grab my hand, and I look at Adrian. His face remains unphased. If he knows, he hasn’t said anything. I haven’t had time to tell him anything since he rescued me. And I’m not sure rightnow is a good time.

“Adrian, could you give me a moment alone with Mireya?”

“I’m not fucking leaving this room unless it’s with her,” he growls. I give him a glare, and she lets out a brief laugh.

“Very well.” She walks to the side of the bed and reaches for me. She squeezes my hand, and I smile up at her. She had saved Adrian. The sight of Julian Nunez’ brain splattering in front of me makes my stomach queasy, and I swallow down the bile rising.

“Mija, I am glad you are awake.”

“What are you doing here?” I am more than happy to see her, but I’m not sure how she found out about everything. How she was there at the auto repair shop. For a moment, I thought I had dreamt it. She had always come to my every cry and call, but I had never imagined her shooting a man in cold blood the way she had.

“There are some things we need to discuss.”

“Not now,” Adrian growls and panic takes over me. Immediately, my hands move to my stomach.

“Is it the baby?”

“No. No. The baby is just fine.” I sneak a quick glance at Adrian before I look back at her.

“Our baby is okay.” His hand reaches to overlap mine on my stomach.

“But your mother is dead.” I feel pressure in my chest. “Several men on motorcycles rode in and gunned her down. They took her body with them.”

“I told you to wait!” Adrian stands, and my chest tightens. I zone their argument out and focus my mind on my mother. The way she threatened me at the apartment. The cruel and careless way she spoke to me.

“I’m so sorry, mija.” She strokes my hair, and I search for the tears. I am still so angry at her. Sadness envelops me. I want to find a good memory to hold on to, but I can’t. That doesn’t mean I wanted her to die.

“Why would they do that?”

“I am assuming it was her son, Cassiel.”

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