“I don’t want him back yet. I want to help you get into the chair, hermanita.”
She smiles slightly as she takes my hand and I move to stand behind her. Papa sets his cup down and watches me struggle to lift her, and just when he’s ready to come help me, I manage to get her up into the stool.
“I made you toast, and Anabella, she’s the nice lady with the apron, is making you some eggs. I wanted to do it, but Papa doesn’t let me play with the stove,” I explain with a shrug as I push her seat in.
Ana Sofia places Foxy on her lap, keeping her arm wrapped around him as she reaches for a piece of toast, and takes a small bite. She looks down at me and gives me a really big smile.
“This is the best toast I’ve ever had!”
I look over at Papa, feeling so proud of myself that she likes my cooking, and when he grins at me and picks up his cup again, I know he’s proud too.
* * *
“Wake up,”a voice whispers urgently.
I sit up almost instantly. My sister’s arms are still wrapped around me, and she grunts when I end up shoving the top of my head into her chin.
“Sorry,” I mumble groggily as I glance toward the door.
It’s Santiago, one of Papa’s favorite Sicarios and he looks a little strange right now.
“What?” I ask irritably as Ana Sofia sits up next to me.
“Miguel Vargas has been kidnapped.”
Chapter Eleven
When we enterPapa’s office, his hands are clasped tightly behind his back and he’s pacing a circle into the carpet.
I’m honestly shocked to see Omar Rodriguez, a Federale, and one of our main enemies by default, standing in front of him. Scattered throughout the room are a few men under his charge, and I know it’s only to make sure that he walks out of here alive.
“I wouldn’t go outside for a while,” he warns Papa. “And I wouldn’t let them go either.”
He gives Ana Sofia and I an even glare over his shoulder before crossing his arms in front of his chest and turning his attention back toward our father.
“What the fuck is this pendejo doing here?” my sister barks, eliciting a dangerous look from Papa.
“He’s here to help, Sofi. And if you don’t want to be part of the solution, you can go back to sleep.”
His words are laced with a venom that neither of us have experienced from him before, and as soon as I steal a quick glance at my sister, I regret it.
Tears are brimming in her eyes and she looks like she’s been slapped in the face. She shifts next to me, mumbles an apology, then lets out a shuddery breath.
I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her close. There are days where I’m reminded that she’s not always La Carnicera and that her feelings are easily hurt, just like anyone else’s.
That’s when I’m also reminded that I’m her older sister and it’s my job to protect her.
Regardless of who’s assaulting her with words or violence.
“She’s only looking out for you,” I tell him quietly.
Papa stops pacing and walks to his desk, leans on it, and levels a deadly stare in my direction.
“What the fuck really happened today, Tatiana? And I want the truth.”
His tone is low, even, and unnerving. Our father is almost always a kind and generous man—until those he cares about have been put in harm’s way.
Considering how long he and Miguel have been friends, I know he holds him in very high regard.