Before I can think a text pings on the phone. Two words.

Five minutes.

I set the phone and the note on the counter and move. I don’t have time for anything else. Five minutes to get to the Marriott. I can’t risk telling Santiago. Can’t risk harm coming to my sister or nephew. Santiago will find the note. Someone will.

I walk out of the bathroom and hear the noise of the crowded reception room. I swear I hear Santiago’s voice but I don’t see him and I hurry to the exit.

Abel is desperate. Was he desperate when he tried to abort our baby? No, this is different. He is out of friends. Out of choices.

And I know he means me harm. Even if he is blood. But I have no choice but to go. His threat is real.

A waiter almost barrels into me when he comes hurrying out of the swinging door of the kitchen. He begins to apologize, but I shake my head and tell him it’s fine.

Before Santiago or any of his men see me, I slip into the kitchen, pausing only to spot the open door leading out into the street beyond. I hurry through the bustling space, thinking about this ceremony of serving a meal after a funeral. Wondering how people can eat on such an occasion.

And when I’m outside, I see two of Santiago’s men standing at one end of the street as the one lights a cigarette for the other. I hurry to the other end, and a moment later, I am on a bigger, busier street. I rush down one block, two, and when I turn another corner I see a queue of taxis at the hotel. I’m about to cross the street to hurry to the lot when a car screeches to a stop beside me and I have to jump out of the way.

I see them then. The terrified faces of Michael and Hazel in the backseat. Abel leans across the front seat and pushes the passenger side door open. I don’t miss the pistol in his hand.

“Get in,” he barks and I do and we’re off before I’ve even closed the door.

30

Ivy

“What are you doing? He’s a child!” I half turn to the back and half to Abel who shifts into a higher gear as he speeds out of town.

He glances at me, his gaze dropping to my rounded stomach with disgust.

“Ivy,” Hazel says. “I’m so sorry.”

“Santiago… he said he—” my voice breaks. He was protecting them. He said he was protecting them.

“Soldiers are stupid,” Abel says. “If you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything. Isn’t that right, Mikey? Life lesson for you. You’re fucking welcome.”

Michael starts to howl.