Page 15 of Naughty and Nice
Seven
Liliana
* * *
On my way through the building toward the office suites, I stopped by the kitchen. A dull ache in my temples sent me on a search for caffeine. It was just after 8:00 a.m., and most of the residents were still asleep. “Hola,” I called to Luz. She was the resident in charge of the kitchen and a marvelous baker.
“Liliana,” she replied with a smile. “You’re here early.”
“Something happened last night.” When she didn’t ask, I went on. “José is gone.”
“Gone?”
I nodded with a frown.
“No.” Her hazel eyes opened wide. “Are you all right?”
“I’m sad but fine. It wasn’t a cartel thing. It was his heart, or so they say.”
“I’m so sorry.”
I pressed my lips together. “I’m sad for Renata. José was a good man. For now, I’ll be staying here.”
“What about your apartment?”
“I haven’t heard from el Patrón; however, last night Ni…Lieutenant Ruiz said I couldn’t stay in my apartment without a bodyguard.”
“After what happened last night at Wanderland, I’m not surprised.”
“What happened?” I asked, my pulse kicking up a notch.
“Two soldiers from the Cabezõn cartel.”
“I thought they were all sent back to Mexico a few years ago by el Patrón’s father.”
Luz lowered her voice. “Rumor has it that they were working with Herrera.” Herrera was the cartel leader who took down Jorge Roríguez. “With Jorge and Herrera both gone, they want a stake back in the market. They’re challenging the new el Patrón’s power.”
I let out a long breath. “It sounds like I’ll end up staying here longer than I planned. What did they do at Wanderland?”
“It wasn’t with any of the residents. From what I heard, there was a disagreement about a gambling debt, guns were brandished, and Roríguez soldiers escorted them from the club.”
“Anyone hurt?” I asked, suddenly concerned about Nick. He was in charge of Wanderland.
Luz shrugged. “I don’t know what happened to Cabezõn’s men. Everyone from Roríguez is accounted for.” She looked down at the stainless-steel counter covered with flour. “I’m making blueberry muffins.” Her eyes lit up. “We have a new shipment of fresh fruit. Or if you’re hungry now, I can make you some eggs and bacon.”
“The muffins sound amazing. I thought I’d grab a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee. I can come back when the muffins are done.”
“No,” she said with a smile. “Once they’re done, I’ll have someone bring them to your office.”
“Thank you, Luz.”
With my drinks in hand, I walked toward the offices, worrying if the mayhem at Wanderland would have been settled easier if Nick wasn’t spending time with me. The morning sun shining through the window in my office eased my concern. Setting the glass on the corner of my desk, I took the mug to the window.
Nighttime was gone, replaced with blue skies. Sipping my coffee, I watched as a black SUV slowed and turned into our parking lot. Through the mostly darkened window, I recognized Horace, Izzy’s driver and bodyguard.
A few minutes later, as I brought my computer to life, I heard the tap of Izzy’s shoes on the hallway. “Hola,” I called.
Isabella came straight to my office. “Oh, Liliana. Are you all right? I sent you a text message last night. I’m so sorry about José.”
