Page 42 of Dina's Favorite Mistake

“We?”

“Yeah,” Beto said, purposely turning his back to carry the dirty pot and whisk to the sink. His movements made it clear he wasn’t going to say anything that might implicate anyone.

“He’s hurt so many families.” Lola rocked slowly side to side with Jasper. “I can’t even believe that anyone thought it would be a good idea to transport him across the border. What kind of idiots came up with that?”

Steve realized she was looking at him for that answer. “Wasn’t me. That decision was made by someone with federal jurisdiction. Mine ends at the borders of the State of Texas, and I promise you we’re not in the business of moving dangerous lunatic killers without the necessary backup and planning.”

“Maybe Diego has friends in your government,” Lola suggested.

“Anything’s possible,” Steve replied darkly. “It wouldn’t be the first time someone in law enforcement was on a cartel payroll.”

“Part of me wants to believe that Diego is long gone.” Lola tested the hot chocolate in her mug with a tiny sip. She made a surprised face of approval. “I want to believe he got broken out of that prisoner transport van and ran away to some country without extradition treaties for Mexico or the US.”

“And the other part of you?” Beto asked as he ducked down to grab a bottle of beer from the beverage cooler under the counter.

“The other part of me remembers what he promised at his sentencing,” Lola said somberly.

“What did he promise?” Steve asked reluctantly.

“That he wasn’t finished with Dina,” Beto answered for his sister. “That he would get his hands around her neck one more time, and he’d finish the job.”

The hair on the back of Steve’s neck stood on edge. A diabolical assassin like Diego motivated by vengeance? He would be near unstoppable.

But I’ve still got to try.

“Listen, uh, do either of you know the staff at Camila’s school?” Steve decided not to bother with the microwave. He was too tired and hungry to wait. Instead, he piled what he wanted on a plate as he pumped the siblings for information.

“Not really.”

“No.” Lola frowned at him. “Why?”

“Camila said that her school counselor is the one who put her in contact with Diego’s mother and that she told Camila where to find a burner phone in your greenhouse. Hoop house,” Steve quickly corrected, proud of himself for remembering.

“Shewhat?” Lola asked in horror. “A counselor? At her school? What’s that bitch’s name?”

“Hey! Not in front of the baby!” Beto gestured toward Jasper.

Lola huffed. “He’s asleep.”

“So? If Sky and Rafa come back and his first word is a curse word, they’ll lose it on us and blame me.”

“Her name is Campos,” Steve cut in before they got derailed by arguing. “Isabela Campos.”

“Chavela Campos?” Beto interjected with surprise.

“I’m not sure?” Steve knew Chavela was a nickname for Isabela, but Camila hadn’t used it when describing her counselor.

“Oh, of course!” Lola accusingly glared at her brother. “One of the ten thousand women you’ve fu—.” She stopped herself from using the word she intended and glanced down at her nephew. “That you’vefornicatedwith and dumped, leaving a trail of broken hearts.”

“Come on! It’s not like that!”

“It’s exactly like that,” Lola assured Steve, ignoring her brother. “So, yeah, if this is Chavela Campos that Beto dated? Yeah, she would definitely be motivated to hurt our family to get back at him.”

Beto groaned and covered his face with both hands. He obviously felt shame and guilt. “We were teenagers! It wasn’t that serious.”

“It was serious to her,” Lola said. “Does Dina know?”

“I haven’t told her yet.”

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