Guarded (Calavera Hotels #3)

19. Adriana

Chapter 19

Adriana

“ D on’t look at me like that,” I tell Thalia, rubbing my temples before getting up to pour myself a glass of mezcal.

“One day Lucia will grow up too, and you will do everything you must to protect her. You know better than I do that this world is not gentle . El gallo sera muy gallo pero la gallina es la de los huevos. ” I say, reminding her of the very words I spoke to her on the day of her wedding.

The rooster would beat his chest, but the hen held all the eggs.

Men in this world were brutes, crazy, and unhinged. But even they knew the power of a strong woman by their side. I raised each of my children to play to their strengths and to use what they had at their fingertips to their advantage.

When Axel was born, I saw the fight in him. Adan’s umbilical cord had wrapped around his throat, and yet he came out unscathed by the circumstances, my healthy baby boy. Adan came next, and in what always felt like a silent oath for choking his brother with the umbilical cord, he was the quiet and timid one. Most days, His inner thoughts were a mystery to me, but I knew he possessed and retained knowledge far past what my other children did. While I spoiled Axel with his desperate need for attention, I spoiled Adan with books, courses, and the finest tutors money could buy.

Ariella was different, though. She always needed to nurture all of us. The twins exhausted me with their wild behavior, constantly fighting with themselves or others, but Ariella was so easy. She was an easy baby, toddler, and child. But she was also lonely, so I became her friend. I played dress-up with her as if she were my life-size doll, and bought her everything pink and sparkly. There wasn’t a single bratz doll or accessory she did not own.

She was the part of our family where we all found peace and solace. In return, we all protected her fiercely, beyond our control. Some would say Aurelio and I sheltered her. Maybe we did. I can admit that we overdid it, but keeping our daughter safe was more important to us.

After she had been kidnapped in her youth, I shut down completely. It was days of agony, and when it happened the second time, when that piece of shit nephew of mine took her on his goose chase, I refused to jeopardize her safety again.

“You know as well as I do that Ariella needs protection. She never had to handle business the way we have. Preston Cuevas is wealthy, and once he is re-elected, he’ll have all the power needed to protect her.”

“He’s a corrupt politician.” Thalia replies.

“ Por Favor. What isn’t corrupt in our world?” I laugh, swirling the glass of mezcal before taking another drink.

“He is heavily protected due to his political status. Handsome, wealthy, and able to provide her with everything she needs,” I say more to convince myself than Thalia. Thalia nods before clearing her throat.

“I just want her to be happy. Of all the people in our family she loves with everything she has. She needs to be with someone who can reciprocate that.”

“I know you worry about her, but look at your story. Look at mine. We were both in arranged marriages. Are you happy with Silas?”

“I am.” she admits.

“ Ya vez. Once we clear this whole thing up and move forward with the engagement, you will see Ariella as happy as you one day.”

“You should have seen her that night, Tia. She was a mess. Nero was the only person who could calm her down. It was nothing more than that. ” Thalia paces the space behind her desk, pausing to look out from the large floor-to-ceiling window.

“Adan has already removed the video and any other traces of the footage. Your Tio Aurelio already spoke to Nero.”

Aurelio and I agreed we didn’t want to fire him for a rumor created by gossip channels on social media. The way Thalia avoids my eyes and turns her back to me at the mention of his name makes me wonder if there’s a truth to the gossip.

“I hope you don’t fail her. We may be happy, Tia, but don’t forget the mess we had to clean up with Olivia. These arrangements don’t always end pretty.”

My little sister was also in an arranged marriage, one that didn’t end well. She was still messed up from the scandal that took place. A scandal that was not covered up as quickly as this one. I sigh and finish the rest of my liquor. I think of the look in Olivia’s eyes. It was the same one in Ari’s, like a neon sign of my past telling me to tread carefully.

It was not just a look only a mother recognized, but every woman from here to the end of the world and back knew. It’s what Thalia saw, too. Why she keeps pacing back and forth behind her desk. I am confident that Ariella will do anything for this family- even if it means sacrificing that shimmer in her eyes. The one that told me she was in love.