Page 37 of More Than A Boss

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Christian Silva had secured a job in the kitchen of the prison’s mess hall through Santiago’s connections. It made getting messages in and out of prison much easier for him. That morning, Christian was in the kitchen when he was slipped the message that things had not gone as he had ordered. He was furious to hear that Camilla had been roughed up by that puta! His right-hand man, who had been the driver, told him that she was pistol whipped by the other lackey hired by Duvall and Christian was livid. They were only supposed to scare her and deliver the message. He had been very specific that no harm was to come upon Camilla or her children. If he could spare her husband, Will, he would do so, however, that he might be collateral damage was of no consequence to Christian Silva. His loyalty was to Carlos. He still felt a small sense of duty toward his sister Camilla and her bebes, but Christian was by now hardened and very little remained of the young man he had been.

He had no remorse for causing his sister and her husband to be in their present circumstances. For him, the relocation to the Midwest from California had been a no-brainer and was worth it to take advantage of his brother-in-law’s chain of convenience stores. His sister had naively believed her brother was trying to straighten his life out and had been happy to help him with employment. Camilla had always looked up to him. It had been easy enough to ingratiate himself with Will and gain his trust for the greater cause of his boss Santiago.

Since his arrest, the Feds and DEA had been trying to entice him to give up information leading to Santiago’s capture and arrest. They promised a lighter sentence with possibility of parole in less than three years. They wanted the big fish, the head of the cartel. They could smell it. This was the closest they had ever been. He had no intention of selling Carlos out. Carlos was the father he had never had. He had taken him under his wing, saving him from a life of despair and poverty. Christian Silva felt he owed him his life.

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That same morning, as Christian was fuming over the blunder, Casey was picking up Allie at Zane’s front gate. They decided on one of their favorite diners that offered booths, privacy, and great food. They settled into their benches and completely ignored the menus the waitress had left for them. There was so much to catch up on. Allie updated Casey on the latest events happening, which sounded so farfetched that they both ended up hysterical with laughter. Wiping her tears, Casey said, “Why are we laughing?” which caused them to erupt in more merriment.

“Must be a release valve,” Allie said.

“Must be. It’s just so crazy that it sounds more like a movie than my best friend’s life!” Casey said. “I have been sick with worry.”

“I know. I feel bad for you and Mom. I feel like such a burden. Will my life ever be normal? What is normal anyway? I just feel like my drama meter is on overdrive this lifetime,” Allie said seriously.

“Don’t worry about us. Love is a privilege not a burden. Your mom and I just want you to be safe and happy,” Casey said.

“I know Mom wants me to get a ‘boring’ job,” Allie said, using her hands to make quotation marks. They both chuckled over that one.

“So, Allie, how are things on a more personal level with you and Zane?” Casey asked.

“Not to be clichéd, but it’s complicated.” She sighed. “I have feelings for him…. No…. It’s more than that. God help me, Casey, I’m in love with him!” Allie covered her face with her hands. “I’m sure he feels something for me, I’m just not sure how much. He said early on that he was not ready to get serious and that he still carries baggage from his first marriage, so I have no clue really.” She looked at her friend forlornly and continued. “I must admit at least to you and to myself that I have fallen pretty hard. He’s funny, smart, kind, considerate, he’s a good listener, compassionate, a great lover. I could go on and on.” She laughed at herself.

“Yeah, I would say you’ve got it pretty bad!” Casey commiserated.

“For now, we just have to get through this mess, hopefully alive!” she said, only half-joking.

“Don’t even joke about that!” Casey exclaimed. Just then the waitress appeared, and they finally glanced at their menus. Allie ordered a cheese omelet and Casey requested two eggs over easy with wheat toast and a side of bacon. They had already been served coffee and were ready for refills. The waitress came back with a pot of fresh brew and poured, leaving room in the mugs for cream and dropped a handful of the small plastic containers of half-and-half on the table.

Pensive, Casey studied Allie as she peeled back the foil lid on the creamer and poured it into her steaming cup. She noticed how gaunt her friend looked and the dark smudges under her eyes. Concern clouded her own expression. “You know, Charlie and Sam think you should stay somewhere besides Zane’s place. Maybe fly to Florida, where it’s warm, until this blows over. You can stay in our condo there for free. It’s not worth the risk, Allie. I think I agree with them,” Casey said convincingly.

“I would feel like I was abandoning Zane and Kit Kat,” Allie replied.

“You wouldn’t be. In fact, it would probably ease Zane’s mind to have you far away and safe from danger. If you get hurt or, God forbid, die, you’ll really be abandoning him!” Quickly reassuring, she said, “Not that we think that will happen. They want Will, not you. However, if they can use you to leverage the situation, I’m sure they would have no compunction about doing so,” Casey said.

“I will consider it, Casey. I don’t want to be naïve about it. I just think my own risks are low here compared to the Havers family,” Allie reasoned.

“Well, I’m willing to take some time off to go down with you to help you settle in if you decide to relocate temporarily. I can also help out financially until you get back to work,” Casey offered.

“Zane is paying me, of course, for my lost wages. I’m alright for now,” Allie said.

“All you would need is transportation and food. We could help you there as well,” Casey offered generously.

The waitress came over to ask if there was anything they needed, and they declined and requested their bill. “Tell the chef that was the best omelet I’ve ever had,” Allie enthused.

The waitress responded with a dimpled smile. “Thanks for saying so. The chef is my fiancée. I will make sure to tell him!”

They left a big tip and decided to drop by the barn before going on to the farmhouse. Casey had not visited with Mel for quite some time, and Allie could never get enough of the barn, so she was happy to have two days in a row visiting with Mel. As is the way with lifelong friends, there was a camaraderie that both comforted and buoyed their spirits.

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Zane tried calling Allie when they were about an hour from home, annoyed and concerned when she didn’t pick up. They had been driving for several hours and the kids had fortunately fallen asleep almost immediately, with Camilla and Will joining them in dreamland shortly after. Darcy was driving her van, with her two men following in Zane’s SUV and their other vehicle. She glanced over at Zane when she heard his exasperated sigh.

“Troubles?” she asked.

“I can’t reach Allie,” he responded, jaw tight.

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