Page 66 of Cartel Devil
I must look confused because Joaquin whispers an explanation. “He’ll give her two days up there with us before he comes to get her. I mean, us too. But he’s not worried about our safety. He’s more worried Tía will kill your uncle. They—uh—aren’t on good terms. She’s still a little pissed about something that happened while she and Tío were dating.”
“That was like two and a half years ago.”
“Yeah, well, we all have long memories when we’ve been wronged.”
“Wronged?”
Joaquin shoots me a look that says he might explain later. I tread lightly since this could easily devolve into our first argument if I get defensive about my family. I don’t want that. Not now, not ever. It’s inevitable we’ll argue over them, but it doesn’t have to be tonight. I shoot him a tight smile before we accept everyone’s individual congratulations.
I’m exhausted by the time we leave. The entire day has worn me out, so I’m glad when Joaquin and I climb into bed. It’s another hour before we’re asleep, but once I snuggle against him, I’m dead to the world.
Watching the ultrasound stuns Joaquin and me into silence. Then we were grinning like fools when Margherita hands us the image printout. It’s barely a blip on the page, but it’s our blip.
“I have to head to work. You guys take your time.”
“Tía, you’re really sure?”
“Quino, everything looks perfect. It’s still too early to tell much. But everything is consistent with how it should be at this stage.”
I nearly burst into tears when Margherita couldn’t find anything with the regular ultrasound wand. She pulled out this long thing that I didn’t understand until she put a sheath on it like a giant condom. I thought Joaquin was going to pass out when he realized it was going inside me. I know he wanted to stop his aunt, but he trusts her.
“Thank you, Margherita. I feel much better now.”
“You’ll need some bloodwork. I can order it, and we have a discreet lab that can handle it. We can keep this private for now, but you’ll need to establish yourself at my practice before your first trimester is over. If you have any spotting, call Madeline or me. If it resembles even a light period day, go to the ER.”
“Is there anything I can’t do?”
“You’re in excellent health. You don’t have any outstanding medical concerns, so you should be fine. Stay hydrated, eat before you feel nauseous, and expect to be sleepier than usual. Quino, don’t whittle. You’ll drive us all into an early grave.”
I look up at Joaco as he nods, but he doesn’t look even remotely convinced that Margherita isn’t downplaying something. He knows her better than I do. Is she hiding something? I shift my attention back to her.
“See.” Margherita nudges her chin toward me, but she’s looking at her nephew.
“Sorry, Tía. Tre, it’s just me being overly anxious. If my tía says everything looks good, then it does. She’d never lie about this.”
Margherita excuses herself and heads downstairs. We’re in a spare bedroom at her house in New Jersey that she has set up like a small operating theater. Not at all disconcerting first thing in the morning.
It was a little awkward since we saw Madeline’s dad when we arrived. Joaquin’s sister-in-law grew up next door to Margherita, Luis, and Pablo. Joaquin waved, then hurried me inside. Apparently, the two couples aren’t on the good terms they once were. Something about Margherita’s now dead younger son and his vendetta against Madeline’s older sister because she married the head of the NYC bratva.
These fucking family trees, I swear.
“How’re you doing, chiquita?”
“Still a little shocked, to be honest. I’m going to be a mom.”
“You’re going to be the best mom.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
I mean to tease him, but we both freeze as our gazes lock. Saying that word tickles a spot in my brain. I don’t know why calling Joaquin “Daddy” is hot. He stares at me for a moment before he shakes off whatever he’s thinking. He grabs some tissues, and I reach for them.
“Let me.”
I pull my hand back as he cleans the ultrasound gel from between my legs and off my belly.
“Thank you for taking care of me, caro.”
“Always.”
