Page 110 of Always You
“Yes, a witness came forward along with surveillance tapes. Our neighbor had cameras, and it picked it all up.”
He pounds on the steering wheel.
“Shit, all these years I wondered how it all happened. I wasn’t expecting it to be her, or really anyone. I thought it was a freak accident. Leo didn’t have enemies. He always lit candles. Why would this woman do this to him? Do you think it’s because of you and Dominic? Why would she do all this because she dislikes you?” He shakes his head in disbelief.
“I was just as shocked. I was the target. Rachel despised me for being with her son. Also, please don’t tell Nana, I don’t think she can take this.”
He grips the steering wheel and nods.
“She came into my home with a gun. She wanted to kill me. I’ve never been so scared in my life. All I thought about was Dante. Her action could have left him without a mother. At that moment, I regretted knowing Dominic. But I wouldn’t have Dante.” A tear ran down my cheek.
“What does Dominic say about this?”
“I haven’t spoken to him about all this. He’s back with his fiancée. My heart’s too mangled to discuss all this right now with him.”
He gasps. “Wow, I’m sorry, sweetheart. His loss, beautiful, jeez, Mila, maybe you should move back. You’re too far from us. I’m scared shitless. If something would have happened to you…” He shook his head and swallowed.
A shiver runs up my spine standing in line at Degee’s Pastry Shop, they have the best pastry’s like to die for so good buttery melt-in-your-mouth good. A line forms pretty early before he opens.
“Mila, my girl, how are you? Moved back already? I knew you couldn’t live without me.”
I chuckle at Oscar. The owner’s son, he is the biggest flirt. I’m pretty sure this is how he gets business. Women melt at his big cheesy smile and when he winks at you, it nearly makes your panties wet, yeah, he’s a good-looking guy.
“Nice to see you. It’s been a long time, had to come to visit you. I need my morning dose of Oscar to keep me going,” I tease.
“Ahh, it’s the smile, right?”
“Sure.” I snort.
“I knew it.” He smiles, showing all his white teeth. He walks around, wrapping me in a massive hug with his tree trunk arms. “Good to see your pretty face. How long will you be here?”
“Not sure yet. Maybe a couple of days.”
He nods. “Good.” He scratches his chin as he drinks me in. “So, you want your usual?” He maneuvers his way back to the counter.
“Yes, please, you know what I like.”
His eyes widen and he smiles.
I shake my head. I know what he’s thinking about, something sexual. His laugh booms throughout the shop. This was a pleasant distraction. It’s been a while since I’ve laughed.
Nana pours us all a cup of coffee as Uncle Robert and I sit in the kitchen munching on the incredible pastries I missed so much. “All right, mija, what going on? I see it in your face. You can’t fool this old woman.”
Clasping my hands together fiddling with my fingers. “Nana, I have something to tell you. A witness came forward. They found who started the fire who killed Dad. It was intentional.”
She gasps, her hand goes right to her chest. “Who would want to hurt my Leo? Ay, Dios Mio,”Nana says.
“Nana, it was Dominic’s mom.”
Her eyes widened. “What? That can’t be. Are you sure?”
I nod.
“She’s evil. I-I-I just don’t understand all this just because you dated her son. No, no, there has to be something else.”
She’s not wrong. It’s a little extreme, but Rachel is crazy, and I’ve watched plenty of forensic files, killer women on Netflix’s, people like that snap. She was determined to get rid of me. She could be one of those obsessed with their sons—controlling them.
“What does Dominic say? Is he shocked? It was his mother. I’m sure he must be.”
