Page 118 of The Complete Truth Duet
“I did. But we’re not going home tonight.” I reached into the back seat and took River’s hand. “We’re going to Catalina’s.”
Drew’s head swung in my direction so fast that it was a wonder it didn’t fly off his neck. “What!”
River gasped, stretching her seat belt to the limit as she lurched forward. “Is she back?”
I smiled; my girl did love her aunt. “Yeah. I fronted her some money to get a house a few days ago. With Marcos and Dante gone, she doesn’t have to hide anymore.”
Her big, doe eyes flared. “What about Thomas?”
“Yeah. What about Thomas?” Drew parroted, flicking his furious gaze between me and the road.
“Relax,” I told them both.
“He took me away for funsies. Don’t you think he’ll do the same to Isabel?” River asked, her anxiety making an all-too-frequent appearance.
I gave her hand a squeeze. “He might try. But he won’t be a problem after tomorrow. Catalina’s going to the police. And before you say it, yes, I know firsthand how many crooked people he has at his disposal all across the city. But Catalina has been a missing person for years. Her sudden return will draw national attention the same way it did when she disappeared. Thomas doesn’t have that kind of reach. Besides, she has more than enough on him to put him away forever. Thomas is an idiot. I never would have thought about it if he hadn’t panicked and arrested me. Dante and Marcos didn’t exactly have wills, and since Manuel is still in jail, Cat’s the only Guerrero left. She’ll inherit everything, River. Everything. The legit businesses. The property. The houses. All the stuff Manuel was forced to sign away to his sons when Thomas went after him.”
“Great, so she has money now,” Drew deadpanned. “That doesn’t give her invincibility.”
“No. But it makes him vulnerable. She’s not stuck anymore. Whether you want to admit it or not, money is power for people like us. No, it won’t fix our problems, but it does give us room to breathe and a safety net to fall back on. Catalina walked away the first time with her pride and two hundred dollars. Best decision she ever made. But, now, she doesn’t have to worry about how she’s going to put food on the table. Or pay for a doctor when Isabel gets sick. Or buy school supplies or clothes or put gas in the car. Money doesn’t equal security, but it does offer opportunity. This is our chance, Drew. Me and Cat. We’ve been dreaming of getting out of this life once and for all. And thanks to Penn, now that Marcos and Dante are out of the way, there’s only one obstacle left.” I rested my hand on his forearm. “I’m done hiding. I’m done letting the world roll over me. I’m done being a Guerrero. I want out. I can taste it. It’s so close.”
“Jesus, Cora,” Drew breathed. “You think a man like that is just gonna let Catalina strut back in after four years without consequences?”
“There’s not much he can do to her anymore. He’s aching to get a spot on the bench. And with elections coming in a few months, he needs to start his campaign. Imagine how it’s going to look when his wife and child pop back up, stating that they endured countless years of mental and physical abuse at his hands. Not to mention all the information Catalina has about his extracurricular activities. He fronts like he’s a man of the law, but really, he’s the puppet master behind at least half the crimes that happen in the city everyday. If she can get someone to listen, the proof is already there in the court records. Someone just needs to know where to look.”
“He could kill her!” Drew exclaimed, his sudden outburst causing River to flinch. “And you in the process. I’m sorry, but this is a stupid idea. That man is fucking dangerous, Cora. And I’m not talking about him trying to take River or whatever other bullshit he has up his sleeve. He has connections far worse than judges and Polo-wearing attorneys he plays golf with on the weekends. I’m talking about bad men who are trying to avoid being prosecuted. Desperate men who will literally do anything to stay on his good side. Finding someone to plow over you and Catalina will be a walk in the park.”
I hooked my leg up onto the seat and turned to face him. “Wow. I’m truly touched by your confidence.”
“This isn’t a pep talk. This is the truth. That’s what you said you wanted from me, right? No more lies? Fine. Then this is insane. And I want no part of it.”
“Then walk away. No one is asking you to stay with us.”
He barked a loud, humorless laugh. “If only that were true.”
