Easter's Lilly Page 26

We walked to the cafeteria and Diego got me a glass of water. “We need to talk, Lilly,” he started.

  “I will forever be in your debt for bringing him back here,” I offered. “You really do love him on some level, don’t you.”

  “Yeah, I guess so,” he answered. “We used to be very close.”

  “What happened?” I asked. His face got very grave. He took my hands and kissed them. “You happened, Lilly.”

  “Max says you would kill us both if I left you,” I added. Then I saw him pull out a small book from his pocket. “Is that a…” I paused, “Bible?”

  “You bet I would,” he said. “I’m not proud of it, but that is who I am. And now you’re carrying my baby, so we are connected.”

  “Then what the hell are you doing with a Bible?” I asked angrily.

  “I don’t know, Lilly. Maybe I need to be a better person.” He started flipping through the pages. “I’m going to take Max back,” he added. “And I’m keeping Hector but there have to be some ground rules.” I was so excited that my heart almost beat right out of my chest.

  “Okay,” I responded. “What kind of rules?”

  “Hector will continue to be your bodyguard, since I’m pretty sure he won’t ever want to change your relationship.”

  “I’m gross, remember?” I answered. He smiled.

  “That’s what I mean,” he replied. “He could never be with someone Max has been with.”

  “What else?” I asked.

  “Max will go back to doing my numbers and… the other things he did for me that you do not want to know about,” he explained. “But you have to break it off.”

  “I understand,” I answered.

  “Lilly, I mean it. No sex. If I find the two of you in any compromising positions, he’s gone.” He was very serious.

  “I understand,” I said again. “I will leave him alone.”

  “You can see him at the house and be friendly towards each other but that’s it.” He looked down at his little book. “I like it when he’s around, because you smile more.”

  “Does Jorge know you’re taking him back?” I asked.

  “Here’s the thing, Lilly.” He took a deep breath and held my hands. “I think Jorge put the hit out on Max. I think Max lived because of you. If I send Hector or Max back with him, he will have them killed. It’s just a matter of time.”

  “Why?” I asked. “Why would he do that?”

  “You and Max, Hector and Olivia… the betrayal.” I looked down towards the table. I suppose there is nothing more horrible than what we did to him. “But I don’t want them dead. Our world is full of murder and blood.” He paused. “We have to keep each other alive.”

  “I respect you so much for what you’re doing,” I added. “Diego, I wish you had given me the opportunity to know you when I first came to your home.”

  “I don’t know Lilly, would it have made a difference? Wouldn’t you have fallen in love with him anyway?”

  “We’ll never know now, will we,” I answered. “I think Max would have kept away if you paid attention to me.”

  “I think you’re right,” he answered. “But you have such a strong connection. I’m not sure it would have changed anything.” We sat quietly for a few minutes. Both of us thinking the same thing… That he should just let me go… but he wouldn’t do that.

  “You must be mindful of Jorge,” he finally admitted. “I’ll call Hector over in a minute. He’ll need to be with you all the time. I’m really afraid of what he’s going to do next. He may come after me once I keep the boys here.”

  “You mean, come after me, don’t you,” I asked.

  “He has no boundaries,” he answered. “Women, children… unborn children… brothers… he doesn’t care.” He squeezed my hands. “Please do not be alone with him.”

  “No problem there,” I said. “I do not like him.” Diego laughed.

  “One brother I don’t have to worry about.” We both laughed and then he picked up his phone and called Hector to meet with us.

  Hector showed up right away. “Still no news,” he told him. “But he’s still holding his own.” I breathed a sigh of relief and Hector took my hand. “Thank you for being here,” he said.

  “Like I’d be anywhere else.” Then I looked at Diego and thought about that pregnancy test he made me take. “Diego, if I wasn’t pregnant, would you have let me come?”

  “No,” he answered. “See, I need to be a better person.” He picked up his Bible. Hector took it out of his hands.

  “You’re kidding, right? What are you going to do with this?”

  “I don’t know,” he confessed as he grabbed it back. “I think I should read it.” They were both quiet for a minute. Not sure what to say, Diego went back to our previous conversation. “Hector, I’m keeping you and Max with me. You will be Lilly’s bodyguard and Max will go back to being… Max.” Hector smiled.

  “Thank you Diego,” he said. “Thank you for reading that book.”

  “I think Jorge put a hit out on him,” Diego continued. “He’ll kill both of you if he gets the chance. I can’t let that happen.”

  “I’ve been in his house for years. No one has ever gotten onto his property uninvited, let alone into his house.” Hector shook his head. “And how did the intruder let Olivia live to tell the story? She knows the shooter,” he continued.

  “That’s what I think,” Diego conceded. “Look how bruised her face is. What the hell is he doing to her?”

  “I know,” Hector agreed. “I feel responsible. I thought we were careful.”

  “Just stay with me for a while and keep a sharp eye on Lilly. I suspect you are my safest bet right now.” He laughed and shot me a look.

  “I swear if you call me gross one more time, I will slap you,” I said to him.

  Do not and I repeat, do not leave her alone with Jorge.” Diego was quite serious.

  “I already have a strict policy about that,” he answered. “Thanks Diego.”

  “I think he picked Easter to send a message,” Diego went on to say. He looked at me. “Easter’s Lilly and all.”

  “There’s no doubt about that,” Hector said. “That’s why you think he might go after her next?”

  “I think he’s going to go after you next.” Diego’s cell phone rang and he looked at it. “The doctor wants to see us.”

  We quickly got up from the table and went back to the waiting room. The doctor sat down in front of Diego and Diego grabbed my hand. “How is he?” I asked.

  “He’s pretty tough,” the doctor said. “He must have a lot to live for.” Diego looked at me and shook his head. “He was strong and the surgery went well. He’s in recovery right now but I expect him to be out and about in a few days.” I jumped up off of the chair and jumped up and down. Hector got up and hugged me twirling me in the air. When he put me down Diego stood up and hugged me.

  “Thank you, Lilly.” He kissed my lips and pulled me close to him in a warm embrace. “Thank you for giving him a reason.”

  We all went home together that night except for Diego. He was afraid to leave Max alone, so he stayed all night. Hector was glued to me. He even slept in a sleeping bag on my floor at night. Diego wouldn’t let me see Max again at the hospital. He went every day to see him and when it was time to take him home I had to stay home and wait. I was warned to keep it friendly but not too friendly before he left to get him. Hector stayed behind for safety purposes.

  I really liked Hector. He was silly like Max but smart and serious when he needed to be. He always seemed to know what the right thing to do was and he took very good care of me. “Hector?” I asked. “What would you do if you were Max?”

  He smiled at me for a minute and said, “If I were shot or in love with you?”

  “If it was you instead of Max. Would you stay here like we did?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I would do, Lilly.” He walked over to where I was sitting on the couch and sat beside me.

  “I’m not allow
ed to touch him anymore. I have to stay with Diego.” I looked at the floor and he picked up my chin with his fingers.

  “I would have taken you out of here a long time ago,” he answered. “Once you told me you were ready to leave Diego…” he paused, “you would have been mine.” I got a shiver down my spine and it seemed to amuse him. “I’m sorry, did I get to you, Lilly?”

  “A little,” I answered. “Every once in a while you do that to me.”

  “Why do you care what I think, anyway?” he asked.

  “I was just wondering,” I answered. I smiled back at him thinking thoughts I knew I shouldn’t be thinking. “Do you think if you had met me first…?” I paused out of embarrassment. “Never mind.” I stopped myself.

  “Maybe,” he answered. “I don’t really know.”

  The family finally arrived, and I got up and ran to Max. He opened his arms but Diego got in front of him and pushed me in the other direction, gently. “Can I get you something, sir?” I asked Max.

  “Come on Diego, you can’t be serious.” He walked over to me and gave me a hug and let me go. “And do NOT call me sir,” he continued. “Yes, Lilly, I would love a cup of coffee, please.” He walked into the kitchen and sat down. “I promised I wouldn’t have another affair with her, but you can’t make us ignore each other. That’s just going to be weird.”

  “You’re right,” he responded. “It just feels strange having you back.”

  “You’ll get used to me,” he laughed. “I bet you miss my cooking.”

  “Hey!” Hector said. “What’s wrong with my cooking?”

  “Nothing Hector, you’re a wonderful cook,” I said sarcastically.

  “I heard Hector thinks your gross,” Max said laughing.

  “I did not say that,” he replied.

  “I can’t believe you called my…” He stopped himself. “Diego’s wife gross… really Hector.”

  “Lilly is lovely, you both know that,” he answered. “She’s just not my type, that’s all.” He shot me a look and he winked. I knew I could be his type if he let me.

  “I thought your type meant that she had to be married to your brother,” Diego added.

  Hector made a face and Max laughed. “Ouch, that hurts.” He reached for his stomach and we all stood up.

  “I’m not an invalid, I’ll be fine.” he assured us. “When is the next meeting, Diego?”

  “Sunday,” he answered. “I was trying to miss Easter. Funny how that backfired. You’re not going, are you?” Diego asked.

  “I thought I was your enforcer,” he answered.

  “Not with a bunch of holes in your chest. Hector can come; you stay here.”

  “Fine whatever,” he said. “Besides,” Diego added. “I’ll be taking Lilly with me.”

  “Oh and Max you need to know something.” I took a deep breath before I continued. Diego looked at me and sent me a reassuring smile. “The baby is Diego’s.” It was part of our deal that I tell Max that. I wanted Diego to feel like he could trust me. “We had a test done and you’re not the father.” I couldn’t help but wonder if he believed me or not.

  “I see,” he said thoughtfully. He looked at Diego and sighed. “Half-breeds, zero, Mexicans one. Congratulations brother. It’s probably better this way anyway.”

  “Don’t say that Max. But yes, it is definitely better this way.”

  “It’s not like he’s going to sleep with her anymore,” Hector stated. “Sleeping with someone who is pregnant with another man’s baby is disgusting.”

  “You did not just call her disgusting,” Max snickered.

  “I’m just saying… yuck!”

  “That’s enough,” Diego interrupted. “Stop talking about her like she’s today’s special. She’s coming with me and that’s all I’m going to say about that.”

  “I owe you my life, Diego, you know that,” Max told him.

  “I think we’re about even now,” Diego answered. “I have to go to work and make arrangements for the meeting. Keep your eyes open, boys. Look for unfamiliar faces. If Jorge shows up early, call me.” He kissed me and left. Max and I looked at each other saying nothing.

  The radio went off informing Hector that Diego was gone. Max looked at Hector. “No!” Hector started. “Let’s stay focused. Stay away from her. It’s only three more days.”

  Max was still staring at me and he reached for my hand and I took it. “Oh…” he said, “I am feeling warm inside.” His eyes were filled with desire. “My body has been cold without yours.”

  “Max, Diego made me say that,” I said quickly. “It’s yours, you know that, right?”

  “Of course I do,” he answered. “I was there when the nurse told me you were three weeks along. You did what you were supposed to do. I’m a big boy, don’t worry about me.”

  Hector separated our hands and said, “Okay Max, we need a plan. I won’t be here; I’m going to have to go to the meeting. That means I will be in on it and they will make me right away.”

  “Maybe after I make the call, you can slip out and I can pick you up,” Max suggested. “I don’t want to risk, Jorge shooting you just before it’s over.”

  “Okay, you can pick me up by the service entrance. I have a key,” Hector said. “We have to call Mick today and let him know we’ll be coming and to expect Olivia.”

  “Why won’t you give me the details?” I asked. “We’re leaving Sunday and you are doing something terrible to your brothers. That much I got.”

  “I promise that we will all come clean when we are safely out of Vegas,” Max answered. “I’m afraid Jorge will try to kill one of us before the meeting, so we have to stick close together.”

  “What about me?” I asked. “I will be at the meeting with Hector?” Hector and Max looked at each other.

  “Oh, that’s right,” Max remembered. “I guess you’re going to have to get a severe case of morning sickness.”

  “I can do that,” I said and smiled. “He won’t want anything to do with me by the time he’s ready to go.”

  We were set and Sunday seemed to take a very long time to get here. I was not allowed to kiss or touch Max and it was killing me, but Hector was afraid that there might be hidden cameras and he didn’t want to risk Max getting thrown out of the house before Sunday. When Saturday night rolled around, the radio went off announcing Jorge’s arrival. “He’s early,” Max, said in an alarming tone. Hector picked up the phone and called Diego, while Max grabbed the radio off of Hector’s belt. “Miguel, get pictures of all the men who arrive with Jorge on your phone and then send them to me,” Max insisted. “Be discreet but I need to know how many he brought with him and who you don’t recognize.”

  “You got it, Max,” Miguel’s voice replied.

  “Brilliant little brother,” Hector noted.

  “In-coming,” Max said and he and Hector started looking at the pictures.

  “Wait.” Hector pointed at two of the pictures. “I don’t know who these guys are.” “Miguel,” Max called. “The two on the right, who are they?”

  “Don’t know, Max. Never seen them before.”

  “Anything different about them?” he asked.

  “They don’t speak any English,” he answered. Max and Hector looked at each other with concern. “He brought hit men with him,” Max surmised.

  My heart fell into my stomach. Diego walked into the kitchen and said, “Lilly, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Max and Hector looked at him. “Oh no,” Diego said, “He didn’t.”

  “The beast has been unleashed,” Max stated. “He brought hit men with him.” He showed Diego the pictures.

  “Wait…” Diego held up his hand for pause. “I know that guy.” He thought for a few seconds. “This isn’t good, Max.”

  “Who is he?”

  “He killed Olivia’s first bodyguard about 8 years ago.”

  “Why?” Hector asked, concerned.

  “Why do you think?” Diego answered.

  “Oh my God,” Hector blurt
ed.

  “They can’t stay here, Diego, you have to do something!” I cried.

  “Let me think,” Diego said. “Hector, Max, take Lilly to the creek, let me handle this.”

  “Are you sure?” Hector asked. “I can stay with you.”

  “He doesn’t want to kill me,” he answered. “Now get her out of here.”

  We left out the back door quickly. I was terrified. I was even afraid to leave Diego alone with him. “Max, what are we going to do?”

  “We may be sleeping with one eye open tonight,” he answered.

  “We may be sleeping in their room with them,” Hector added. Max started laughing. “I’m not joking,” he continued.

  “I know,” he said. “I’m just laughing at the irony.”

  CHAPTER 17

  I don’t know about this.