Page 19 of To Have and To Hold

“What about Jorge?”

“What about him?” I repeated. “He’s not quite six months old, cute, little, and doesn’t do much. Viviana, Mia’s housekeeper, and Mia seem to have a schedule worked out. I think Mia wants to get back to the apartments, butel Patr?nwon’t allow her, not with Jorge still so young.”

“It gives me chills. How terrifying it must be to be married to a drug lord.”

It sounded terrifying.

“Maybe.” Standing at the window, I stared out at the ocean glistening with millions of diamonds and peered down to the pool. “Tell Mom that I’m good. There are a few hours before Liliana gets here. I think I’m going to lie by the pool.” A smile curled my lips. “I’m glad I brought a bathing suit. I’ll talk to you in a few days.”

“Call me tomorrow after you go to the whores. I’m worried about you.”

“How about we call it the apartments?”

“Fine.”

“Okay. Give Tony a hug for me.” I disconnected the call.

As I changed clothes, I wondered if I was wrong to not want to live in Mia’s home. The guards with the guns were scary but also reassuring. And for the first time I could remember, I enjoyed being around Mia.

With a book, sunglasses, and towel in tow, I slipped from my bedroom. Almost to the landing on the stairs, I heard heavy footsteps coming my direction. Pressing myself against the wall, I watched asel Patr?nstalked up the staircase. Wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and a scowl, his boots echoed on each step. It wasn’t until he reached the landing that he realized I was there.

He stopped, his dark orbs scanning from my hair to my toes. The sharp edge of his jaw clenched, and his nostrils flared. He was much taller than I realized, and big. His wide chest was only inches away from me. In a word, he was terrifying.

“Ni una palabra.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

He lifted his chin and waved his hand up and down. “This is…” He inhaled. “I conduct business here.” His accent was like Silas’s—more obvious. “Cover yourself before you go to the pool.”

I nodded quickly as panic rang in my ears. “I didn’t think.”

“Start thinking. Cartel soldiers come and go from here. Mia wants you to be safe.” He did another scan over my skimpy bathing suit. “I don’t want them to get the wrong idea.” With that, he continued upward.

Once he reached the top and turned the opposite direction from my bedroom, I let out the breath I was holding. With my heart racing, I followed him up to the second floor. Once I was in the bedroom again, I closed the door and shut my eyes. As I held onto my own hand, I realized they were trembling and a tear streamed down my face. My stomach was suddenly in knots.

The pool could wait.

I considered calling Noemi back to tell her what happened.

Would that be admitting defeat?

After taking off my swimsuit and putting my sundress back on, I quietly opened the bedroom door, listening carefully for the sound of heavy footsteps. Slowly, I made my way back to the staircase. The sound of childish music came into range. When my feet hit the first floor, I saw Jorge in a round contraption in the middle of the living room, bouncing up and down. Mia was by him on the couch.

She looked up from her book and turned toward me as I came closer. “Did you decide against getting some sun? The pool is refreshing especially after traveling.”

Shrugging, I sat on a chair in the same grouping. “El Patr?nworks from home?”

Mia closed her book on her lap. “Mostly. He goes out too.”

“Do a lot of his soldiers come and go from here?”

“Lieutenants mostly, like Em and Nick, who were here earlier. I guess technically they’re soldiers, but Jano trusts them, more so than some of the others.” Her eyes opened wide. “You’re safe here, Isabella. I’m sure you saw the guards when you came in. Silas has everything under twenty-four-hour surveillance and more soldiers stationed around the property, including on the ocean side.”

“I packed a swimsuit, but I didn’t think about a cover-up. Do you have one I could borrow?”

Mia’s smile grew. “Of course. I’ll bring it to your room if you want to change now.”

I tapped the book I’d brought downstairs with me. “Today, I’m okay just sitting outside. Is there more you want to tell me about what my day will be like tomorrow?”

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