Page 111 of Bad Men

“I still think you should go home and rest,” I protested, turning in my seat to peer over at her sitting small and weary against Nero’s side. “I can bring them to you.”

She hadn’t moved much during the drive. I couldn’t be sure if she was in a lot of pain or just done with the day, but I’d done my best to avoid potholes and any sharp turns.

“I need to grab a few things anyway,” she murmured, gaze fixed on the front door of her parent’s place. “Most of my stuff is at my Aunt Victoria’s but I still have enough things here to last me a few days.”

I wanted to tell her we’d get her whatever she needed but I caught Nero’s gaze and stopped myself; if she wanted to see her parents, who was I to stop her?

I kicked open my door and rolled out into the dwindling light. The temperature had dropped since earlier and I was still wearing the t-shirt with the shit stains. At least Nero wasn’t covered in blood anymore and the good doctor had supplied Mia with a long, clean t-shirt that went to her knees. Her feet were bare, her hair still tangled and crusted with blood, but she was alive and that was all that mattered.

“I can walk,” she was saying when I joined them on the sidewalk.

Nero ignored her by sweeping her up into his arms. She winced only once before he had her settled against his chest.

“Okay?” he asked.

At her nod, he started in the direction of the house. I followed after a quick glance along the empty streets. The silence only meant we were being watched from behind drawn blinds and peep holes. I didn’t believe for a second we weren’t being watched. It was the one thing about close communities I hated.

The front door swung open before we even reached the steps. A woman Mia’s age appeared on the threshold wearing faded jeans and a chunky, pink sweater. Her small, pretty face streaked with tears lit up when she spotted us, but something told me it wasn’t me or Nero she was happy to see.

“Mia!”

Her exclamation of unimaginable delight was met by a chorus of voices from inside. A moment later, we were being yanked inside by hands eager to see Mia for themselves. Nero had to set her down in one of the armchairs and step back before they were on her.

There were only four people in the Martinez’s comfy living room. Mia’s parents and her aunt and cousin whose names I didn’t know but recognized from neighborhood events over the years. Like Marie and Luis, they took turns smoothing back Mia’s hair and examining her face. No one seemed to be listening when she assured them she was fine. I wouldn’t either if I were in their shoes.

“Who did this? What happened?” Marie sobbed, clutching Mia’s hand in both of hers in a firm but gentle grip.

“It’s not important,” Mia insisted. “I’m okay.”

“But who did this?” Marie pressed, wet, brown eyes jumping over Mia’s head and finding me and Nero still standing a few feet from the group. I expected accusation, but there was only a plea in the fleeting glance she gave us. “We need to call the police—”

“Mama,” Mia gave her mom’s hand a gentle shake until she had the other woman’s attention. “Please. I’m fine.”

Marie’s bottom lip quivered as she took her daughter’s chin in hand and murmured something in Spanish. Her aunt seemed to be reciting a prayer from Mia’s other side; she sat with her head bowed over clasped fingers, her eyes closed. The cousin, the woman who had opened the door for us, knelt at Mia’s feet, small hands clutching Mia’s free one as she wept softly. The only person who seemed to be keeping his distance was Luis. Aside from initially racing forward to engulf his daughter in a fierce embrace, he’d isolated himself to watch the scene with a lost and desolate expression. His dark eyes rested with trepidation on Mia, the look of a man robbed of what little youth and energy he possessed. I didn’t like it but I couldn’t ignore the stab of sympathy that punched through me.

“You must eat,” Marie blurted, scrubbing at the tears on her cheeks with shake fingertips. “And a shower. Come. I’ll draw you a bath and—”

“I’m not staying, mama.” Mia’s quiet whisper was met with a hitch in the conversation.

“What do you mean?” Marie sniffles. “Of course you’re staying. Aunt Victoria and Liana are both staying the night and we can get your things another day.”

Mia shook her head slowly, cutting her mother off. “I’m going home … with Davien and Nero.”

All eyes were on us now with questions. Only Liana seemed unsurprised by the announcement. Liana and Luis based on the slight slump in his thin shoulders, but where I expected an argument from the latter, there was only silence.

“Mia, what are you saying?” Aunt Victoria hissed as if we couldn’t hear her from three feet away.

“I’m saying I love them,” Mia stated without a moment of hesitation. “I’m saying I never should have left. This is what I want, to be with them. It was stupid of me to listen to anyone else when it’s my life and this is what makes me happy.” She turned to her mother. “Please don’t be upset. I know they’re not perfect, but they make me feel safe and cherished, and this is what I choose.”

Marie studied her daughter’s face still carrying signs of the turmoil she’d suffered earlier that day. “Niña, is this what I would choose for you? Perhaps not. I wouldn’t choose any of this life for you, but we do what we can with what we are given even if what we are given is a little unusual.”

I wasn’t sure but it almost sounded like a blessing. It was probably the closest to one we were going to get. I wasn’t going to press my luck.

“Papa?” Mia turned her attention away from her mom to where her father remained looking even more beaten if possible. I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t enjoying it just a little bit. “Please say something.”

“What can he say?” Aunt Victoria cut in, snapping back in her chair as if worried Mia might become inexplicably contagious. “This is improper, Mia. Nowhere in the Bible does it say—”

“Yes.” No one was more stunned than I was to hear Luis speak, yet everyone was staring at him with a mixture of outrage and surprise. “I allow it.”

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