Page 65 of Cartel Devil

But in here—every stereotype of a loud Latin American family is on display. Not that the stereotypes of loud Italian families are all that different. The room is abuzz as Elle embraces me.

“I’m so happy for you, Trish. You’re going to be such a good mom. I’ve always known that, and I’m thrilled you’re going to be a parent with Joaquin. You’re good for each other.”

“Thank you, Elle. I’m excited, but I’m scared.”

“I know. I felt that three times.”

I nod against her shoulder. “I don’t think my family will take it this well.”

I pull away, but I still feel her sigh. It’s her turn to nod as she squeezes my shoulders.

“You and Joaquin should tell them soon. If you need me to, I’ll go with you both.”

“As his bodyguard?” I cock an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

Neither of us is joking.

“Tricia?”

I step back from Elle and turn toward Margherita. Her knowing expression tells me she was aware I’m her new patient. Joaquin was accepting Enrique and Luis’s congratulations while I talked to Elle. Now he’s at my side again. He’s waiting for Margherita to speak, and I can tell he figured out the same thing.

“I can see you tomorrow morning at the clinic, or you can come to the house. I have an ultrasound machine there.”

I almost ask why, but she has it for when she needs to patch up the men. Both bullets and deep wounds show up on the imaging machines.

“Thank you. Umm—” I shift my attention to Joaquin, uncertain what to say.

“Tricia, it’ll keep the insurance company out of it and your records offline for now.”

Margherita speaks up before Joaquin can say anything. We both stare at her. I don’t think insurance or digital records crossed either of our minds.

“Thank you, Tía. Tre?”

“If you can examine me there, I think that’s a good idea.”

“It’ll have to be early if you want to do it in the morning. Otherwise, I can see you after four. I have a few patients at the clinic in the morning, but I’ll be at the hospital most of the day.”

“Early.”

I blurt my answer. I was already anxious about waiting until eight a.m. to get in to see her. Waiting until the afternoon to see the ultrasound and hear her prognosis might kill me.

“We can be there by six-thirty, Tía. Is that all right?”

“Perfect, sobrino.”

“If you ever need anything and you can’t reach Tía Margherita, you can always call me.” Madeline steps beside me and rests her hand lightly on my back.

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“When will you go to Boston?”

Enrique’s question is as gentle as it can be, but it bursts the bubble. It’s unavoidable. Joaquin and I share a glance before I look at Elle. Joaquin answers for us.

“Once we know what Tía thinks and whether she believes it’s safe for Tre to travel.”

Enrique nods and turns toward his wife. “Two days, Ellie.”