Yes. This was all for her too, even though I knew she wouldn’t do the same for me.
I sighed and focused on my new surroundings. The city was actually quite clean and civilized looking, well-maintained with lots of greenery and wide thoroughfares. It wasn’t long until we came to a very high, very round building done up in pinks, oranges and blues.
“It’s like the coliseum on Gay Pride Day,” Camden commented.
“You would know,” Javier sniped.
I shot him a look. “Okay, we’re here. Now what?”
Javier motioned to the giant parking lot across the street that was emptying out of cars. “Pull in there.”
“Looks like the fight is over,” Camden mused, staring at the crowds spilling out of the bullring and into the surrounding plaza.
“We’re not here to see the fight,” Javier explained. Thank god. The idea of watching a bull fight made me feel sick to my stomach. I remembered being fifteen years old and actually donating money to some charity at school that was trying to make that event, and other animal sporting events, illegal. Obviously it did shit all. Bullfighting looked to be as popular in Mexico as it ever was.
I parked the car in an empty spot and Javier tapped the back of my seat to be let out. I sighed and got out. It was cooler here in Aguascalientes, the sky blue even as the sun began to set.
He started to walk away so I reached out and grabbed his hand.
“Where are you going?”
He paused and looked down at my fingers around his wrist, then looked back at me, brow raised.
I immediately dropped his hand like a hot potato and licked my lips nervously. I hated how I couldn’t even touch him without him making a big deal about it.
“I’m going to see Dom,” he said, trying to hide a smile.
I folded my arms. “I’m going too.”
“Ellie, he doesn’t know you.”
“He’ll get to know me. I’m not letting you walk in there, leaving me, Camden and your poor sister in the car like easy prey.”
He frowned and shoved his hands into his pant pockets. “You’re so mistrustful, after everything I’ve done.”
“Because of everything you’ve done.”
“Such a short memory.”
“My memory is just fine. I have a hard time thinking that any of the good you’ve done lately, for us, is because you’ve found your soul.”
He chuckled. “Oh angel, you forget. You’re the only one who gave me a soul. If I don’t have one anymore, it’s not my fault.”
I automatically dug my nails into my arm in frustration. “I’m going with you,” I said again, making each word sharp.
He sighed and brushed his hair behind his ears. “Very well. You may come. You better make sure your ape doesn’t try anything with my sister.” He walked off.
I turned and looked at Camden who was leaning over my seat, hearing the whole thing. He gave me a grim nod, one I knew meant he’d stay and take care of Violetta, and then mouthed to me “be careful.” I smiled uneasily and went after Javier. I hoped we’d be quick.
I also hoped Dom wasn’t waiting for us with a loaded gun.
Javier didn’t say much to me as we went into the building and unlike the way he was in Mexico City, he was relaxed and confident. Considering the way his sister was, the way we all battled our way from death on those barrio rooftops, he was acting like none of that even happened. I don’t know why I was so surprised – I guess from the way that Javier would describe his sisters before, they sounded like they meant a great deal to him. After this, I wasn’t sure of that. I wasn’t sure of anything involving him.
He looked over his shoulder at me as we walked down a cool, linoleum tiled corridor. It felt like we were heading backstage at a concert or a hockey game.
“I can feel how nervous you are, angel,” he said. “It’s coming right off you, like sweat.”
“Can you feel this?” I stuck up my middle finger at him.
He only looked amused at that. Great.
We went around the corner to a room that said something in Spanish and Javier lightly knocked on it. A very distinctive knock. Code. Funny how cartels had the same knock as those No Girls Allowed clubs back when I was in middle school.
We waited for a few moments, Javier looking as cool and collected as he could ever be. Like he didn’t fear a single thing. Like we were on his turf again.
That could be both a good thing and a bad thing. My gun tingled in my boot.
Finally the door opened and I was somewhat shocked to see the face of a good-looking man staring back at us.
“Javi,” he said with an easy smile. “Entrar, por favor.”