Page 79 of Recklessly You
Papá told me to keep my eyes shut, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I need to be ready to assist him if necessary. In a single motion, Papá rises from his chair.
“Let’s talk outside,” Papá suggests.
The men chuckle darkly.
“A life for a life. Blood for blood,” one of the men sneers darkly.
The sharp crack of guns echoes in my ears and reverberates through the room. I curl up into a tight ball and wrap my arms around my head, my heart pounding as bullets rain down, shattering glass. People in the restaurant shriek in terror as I keep my trembling body covered, too afraid to open my eyes. The room falls quiet as the shooting stops, and I slowly peel away my arms to survey the destruction.
My heart’s beating so fast, it wants to explode. I’m brave, I’m strong, I say to myself. I look for Papá. And see a pool of blood.
“Papá,” I whisper. “No,” I shout. I see another man in a pool of blood then. I see my papá. “No, no, no Papá,” I cry. I run to him without thinking if there are more of them.
“Come on, Papá, we need to go.” I shake him, and his eyes open and close.
He coughs out blood when he tries to talk. “My little Liam, I’m not going to make it. Will you take care of your mamá for me?” He wheezes and gulps. My hands shake. “You’re going to become a great man, Liam. I see it in your eyes. Stay strong, my son. Run, Liam, and find somewhere to hide until the officers arrive. I love you, Liam. Tell your mamá and little brothers I love them.”
I take a sharp breath. My body shakes. “Okay, Papá, I love you.”
I hear footsteps and boots stomping behind me. I turn to see who it is. It’s two bad guys. There must be more of them outside. He smiles and winks. I stare at his silver tooth and the serpent tattoo on his arm.
I turn to Papá.
“I’m sorry, mi hijo,” he says. He gurgles and says, “RUN!” He takes one last breath, and he’s gone. Gone. He’s gone. My heart hurts.
“Papá,” I whimper on his chest. His body is so warm. “Don’t leave me, Papá. Who’s going to play baseball with me? I need you. Mamá needs you, Papá,” I shout. I wrap my arms around his neck. When I hear boots getting closer, I do what Papá said to do. I run.
CHAPTER 27
LIAM
Tears roll down Sophie’s cheek as she hiccups and peers at me from behind her hands, which she holds fisted before her face as if she’s praying. “I’m so sorry you witnessed such cruelty, Liam, but more than anything, baby, I’m sorry you lost the most important man in your life. If I could take the pain away, I would do it in a heartbeat.” The words of a true queen with a heart of gold. I don’t deserve her.
“There’s more,” I say, my heart beating a little faster.
“More?”
“Yes, there’s more to taint my life.”
She reaches for my hand and squeezes. “Tell me.”
* * *
My tennis shoespound against the asphalt, and my chest heaves with each breath. My legs burn as I run into the night; all I can hear is the wind howling and the rumble of passing cars. I run just like Papá told me to. I halt, hiding behind a large bush to catch my breath. I cover my mouth to contain my sharp panting. Boots pound along the pavement, and the sound makes me shake.Be brave, Liam,I tell myself as I feel a quick poke in my hips. I pull out my Ninja Turtle from my pocket and stare into Leonardo’s eyes, hoping any of his powers will seep into me. I rub his shell again like it’s a magic genie lamp.
Once I make it home, my mother runs out of the house. I tell her what happened at the pizza place, and that Papá is gone. I plead with her for us to leave, but we are out of time.
Her body shakes, and her voice is above a whisper when she looks into the dark street.
“Hide, Liam, hide, and do not come out, no matter what you hear.”
“Hide with me, Mamá, please.”
A tear runs down my cheek. I can’t lose Mamá. I’ve already lost my papá. Be brave, be strong—this comes to mind when I think of my papá’s words. Mamá reaches for my hand, dragging me inside the house and shoving me into a cabinet.
Holding my breath, I can hear the thump of their boots and then a gunshot. When I hear the front door slam open, I know they’re in the house.
A voice that sounds like Pablo says, “This must be Rodriguez’s bitch.”
