Page 6 of Naughty and Nice
Liliana looked down at her lap. “I’m used to my father’s—or your uncle’s—reaction to any reach for independence on my part.”
“Jano is about moving forward, moving the cartel forward. Mireya, Cat, and Camila went to college. Camila is still taking classes.”
Liliana turned toward me, her suede-colored eyes, large and round. “Did you ever want to go on with your education, after high school?”
“I continued my education, just not the kind you’re going to pursue. Every day there’s something new to learn. My life was mapped out. The Roríguez cartel was my future. It still is.”
“I get it. My life was mapped out for me too…until fate stepped in.”
A scoff passed over my lips. “El Patrón’s gun wasn’t fate. It was what Uncle Gerardo deserved. He was a traitor.”
“He deserved a lot of things,” she said, turning toward the window. “Izzy was talking about how different it is here this time of the year than it is in Kansas City. The only snow I’ve ever seen was in the mountains.”
“I don’t like to be cold. San Diego is perfect.” I caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of my eye. “Or would you rather be up north?”
Liliana shook her head. “My parents are in Sacramento. They’ve made it clear that I’m not wanted there.” She squared her shoulders. “I prefer here.”
My brow furrowed. “How didn’t I know that? Why wouldn’t your parents want you?”
“It’s not important.”
“It is,” I insisted. “I can’t imagine my mother or father casting me out—or Mireya for that matter, and Mireya wasn’t born from my mother.”
She turned. “I didn’t know that.”
A smile lifted my cheeks. “We’re learning more than I expected on this ride. Mireya’s birth isn’t a secret. It just isn’t discussed often. Now, why don’t your parents…?”
“They were honored to have me married to a Roríguez lieutenant. They wouldn’t listen to my pleas to stop the marriage. To them, my marriage elevated their status within the cartel.” She looked down. “It didn’t matter what my feelings were.”
My grip on the steering wheel tightened.
“I only told my mother once what he was like...after we were married.” Liliana exhaled. “She told me that my job was to obey my husband. If I’d do it better, he wouldn’t…” She didn’t finish the sentence.
My knuckles blanched as I gripped the steering wheel tighter.
“After Gerardo was killed,” she continued, “they blamed me for his downfall. My father wanted me to be remarried right away. He considered me damaged goods. Another lieutenant would reinstate their status.”
“Fuck,” I murmured. “That’s bullshit.”
“I owe everything to Mia. She was an angel. She convinced el Patrón to let me stay in San Diego.” Liliana turned my way. “It was when I came to live with Valentina.”
“That was over two years ago. You’re not the same woman.”
Liliana scoffed. “I’m the same person, Nick.”
“No, I’ve seen you at the apartments. The whores trust you.”
“Residents,” she corrected.
Swallowing, I nodded. “Residents. When they’re at Wanderland, they’re whores.”
“They’re sex workers. It’s their profession. They chose it. The term whore is demeaning.”
I turned with a smile. “You’re different, Liliana. When you came to live with Em, you were afraid of your own shadow. You barely said two words. A second ago, you lectured me on etiquette. And more important, you’re right. I’ll do better.”
“You should. Your father has been good to me, but he wasn’t always good to the residents. They think much more highly of you.”
I wasn’t sure how to reply.
