Page 52 of Dina's Favorite Mistake

“I’m going alone,” Mirta said, stubbornly lifting her chin. “He won’t hurt me.”

Dina pinched the bridge of her nose and smothered the string of ugly curse words dancing on the tip of her tongue. Blowing up at her former mother-in-law wasn’t going to help. Yelling at her mother for this dangerous plan wasn’t useful either.

Instead, she levelled a stare at her mother. The expression was so familiar. It was almost like looking in a mirror.

Intractable. Headstrong. Dogged.

Just like me.

Dina sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “Fine. You two seem to have it under control.” She glanced at Steve who seemed bewildered by her response. “Let’s go.”

“Dina,” Steve protested.

“We need to get home to Camila.” Dina didn’t want to argue with him. “We can talk in the car.”

“When can I see her?” Mirta asked, her eyes filled with hope. “I know I did it wrong, but she is my granddaughter. She’s all...” Mirta’s voice wavered, and she gulped. “She’s all I have left.”

“When Diego is back in prison, you can see her,” Dina decided. “Until then? She’s not coming near your or that school where your little friend Chavela works.”

“I didn’t use Chavela to get to Camila,” Mirta insisted. “She and Diego connected through a friend. They write letters. She went to visit him, and now they’re—.”

“Dating?” Dina guessed with disgust. Chavela always was a pick-me girl.

“I never thought Chavela would be dangerous to Camila,” Mirta continued contritely.

“You were wrong.”

“Yes.” Mirta shook her head. “I never imagined that such a nice woman could do anything so terrible.”

“She sent those two idiots to kill Beto and Steve?” Dina asked, wanting to confirm her suspicion.

“Probably.”

“And helped him escape from custody?”

Mirta shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Chavela’s cousin works in the prison where Diego was being held,” Jose interjected from behind her. “One of her brothers was in the cartel before he was killed. I’m sure she still has contacts with them. I don’t know when or why Chavela became friends with Diego, but it’s clear she used her family connections to help him escape.”

“But didn’t think far enough ahead to organize his escape from the country or the resources he would need,” Steve remarked.

“And it’s not our problem,” Dina said, taking Steve’s elbow in hand. “We should get back to the house. Mama and Mirta can sort this out themselves.”

Steve obviously didn’t agree, but he walked out of the apartment without argument. Only when they were in the elevator, did he finally ask, “Am I missing something? Is there a reason we’re letting those two old biddies plan some hairbrained scheme to lure out and trap Diego?”

“If my mother ever hears you call her a biddy,” Dina warned.

“The point still stands,” Steve replied.

“My mother is going to double-cross Mirta. I don’t know how, and I’m not sure I want to know how.”

“Which means your mother is in danger,” Steve insisted.

“She knows, and she came here without telling me for a reason,” Dina reasoned. “She doesn’t want me or you involved.”

“That’s what worries me most,” Steve grumbled. The elevator reached the ground floor, and he escorted her out into the lobby, his gaze constantly moving and scanning. She felt so safe with him, even with her crazy ex on the run.

I don’t want him to leave.

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