Chapter Fourteen
Eliana
I wrapped up my dissertation notes for the day with a long exhale. The hum of the laptop filled the silence. The cursor blinked at me, judging me for my utter lack of focus.
Sledge’s mood had started off good. He smiled and his tone was light, almost free as he and Zoya made pancakes and ate breakfast together.
Despite what he thought, he was really good with her, and it was clear she loved and trusted him.
Then Trish called, not that he’d said anything, but I heard him ask her what she wanted.
I’d taken Zoya out of the room so he could have a modicum of privacy, and because his growing anger had made her anxious.
Later when Zoya and I came back inside, he was gone. Still somewhere inside the house but not in the kitchen or living room. When he finally reappeared more than an hour later, a quiet storm brewed in his eyes.
I wanted to ask what had happened, but the tight set of his jaw told me it wasn’t the time. Instead I focused on lightening the mood for Zoya. “Hey Z, you hungry?”
She sat taller and smiled, nodding slowly.
“Excellent.” I clapped my hands excitedly and leaned forward. “I think today is the perfect day for tacos.”
Excitement flashed in her eyes before they turned, seeking out her father.
“What do you say, Dad? Tacos for dinner.”
He looked up. “I like tacos.”
“Great. My parents’ restaurant isn’t far from here.” It had been too long since I stopped by and I knew if I didn’t make an appearance soon, they’d have the cops doing a welfare check.
He studied me, probably trying to figure out if I had ulterior motives. I was so sure he’d argue, but Sledge surprised me with his slow nod and easy smile. “I’m driving.”
“Of course you are,” I mumbled under my breath.
“I heard that.”
I smiled and packed up a few things to keep Zoya occupied and slipped us both into our sneakers by the door. “I meant you to.”
As soon as we stepped inside Abuelita’s, the smell hit me, vibrant and familiar. It was the scent of my childhood, roasted chiles, grilled onions and garlic with that rich tang of simmering tomatoes. A gut-punch of longing hit me all at once.
“Mami,” I called out from the counter.
Her head snapped up from behind the counter before her face broke out into a blinding smile. “Ana, sweet baby girl!” She shuffled around the counter and wrapped me in a perfumed hug that made me feel loved and protected. “How are you? Where have you been? Why haven’t you called?”
I laughed and hugged her back, blinking back tears. “You’re crushing me, Mami.”
“That’s okay, it’s a little love crush,” she chuckled to herself. “Next time, don’t stay away so long.”
“I promise.” Before I could say more, my dad came out of the kitchen. “What is all this yelling… oh, Eliana, baby girl come give me a hug.” His arms were spread as wide as his smile.
“Hi Papi.” I hugged him tight until he grunted, the way he always did since I was a little girl.
“How is the future Dr. Moreno?”
“Good,” I answered with a smile. “Hungry.”
“I can help with that,” he said, cupping my face and kissing both of my cheeks.
“What’s all the commotion?” My older brother Marco asked as he came out of the kitchen. “Shit, Eliana. Where have you been?” He grabbed me with more force and hugged me a little harder than my parents. “I almost sent out a search party.” He looked past me, his gaze narrowing on Sledge.
“Don’t,” I warned.
“You’re hanging out with bikers now? After everything.” He folded his arms, already judging me.
I folded my arms and glared at my older brother. “First of all, I can hang out with whomever I choose. Second, this is my boss and his daughter, Zoya. She hasn’t spoken in at least four years. I’m her nanny and I’m determined to help her.”
Marco’s expression softened immediately. “Shit, I’m sorry Eli.” He looked around me at Sledge. “Sorry man. I worry.”
Sledge gave him a curt nod, the universal male version of no hard feelings.
Within ten minutes, my mother had us seated in a booth with fresh chips and salsa on the table. “You’ll try a little bit of everything and tell me your favorites, okay?” She pinched Zoya’s cheek and gushed. “Such a beautiful little girl. I’ll fatten you up. Promise.”
That earned her a shy smile that only got bigger when the table began to sink under the weight of enchiladas verde, black beans, tacos as far as the eye could see, rice, and fresh tortillas. It was a feast and Zoya ate with more energy than I’d ever seen.
She nibbled a little of everything, going back for second and third bites of what she loved. Not a word left her lips, but her smile contained a thousand words.
Her father, so big and gruff, smiled gently when he looked at her. He was proud, his gaze filled with love and relief. For the first time since I met him, he looked relaxed. Almost happy.
And for a little while, it was just a normal night filled with dinner and family and laughter. There were no junkies, no break-ins, no ghosts or collect calls from prison. Just good food and good company.
***
“I think she had a good time,” I said softly as Sledge deposited Zoya in the back seat of the car with so much gentleness that the spot behind my heart ached.
His shoulders relaxed as he slid behind the steering wheel and then he stunned me with a smile that stretched across his face. “I think so too. I think she smiled more in the last ninety minutes than the past four years.”
I laughed softly. “I think she ate more too, but my mom has a way with kids.”
“Your family is great,” he said softly. “I can see why you came out how you did.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure I want to know what that means.”
He stroked the back of his hand down my cheek, grazing my jaw with his thumb and forefinger. “It means you’re pretty fucking wonderful, Eliana.”
My whole body flushed at the compliment. “Those tacos must’ve been more magical than I realized if you’re complimenting me.”
He rolled his eyes, grunting as he started the engine. “Smart ass.”
I laughed as we hit the road, the darkness stretched out before us. “I want you to know that I can see how much you care. How much you love Zoya. And she feels the same.”
He said nothing.
“I just don’t want you to doubt that, not ever. No matter what else happens or what you found out earlier.”
He opened his mouth to respond but we both froze as the roar of engines cut through the night air. “Shit!” he muttered, clenching the steering wheel tight as his eyes darted across all three mirrors.
Headlights flared behind us and I turned around, counting four, maybe five motorcycles closing in fast. “Friends of yours?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
He snorted. “Hardly. Seatbelt?”
“On,” I said through clenched teeth. At least I think I did, I couldn’t hear a damn thing over my racing heart.
The motorcycles surrounded us before I could even blink. Two on each side, one riding our ass too close. Someone slammed something against the passenger side window, shattering the glass all over my face and clothes. I let out a low, terrified grunt.
Zoya whimpered in the backseat.
“Hey!” I shouted. “No!”
“Zoya, get on the floor!” Sledge called out.
Gunshots went off and I immediately covered my head, but they sounded far away and when I looked up, we were unharmed.
More glass broke, this time the back passenger window where Zoya was and I saw red.
I reached behind me for the bat I kept within reach because a girl couldn’t be too careful in a city like Las Vegas.
“Fucker,” I shouted, as I unfastened my safety belt and climbed over the seat and into the back to comfort Zoya.
All the while Sledge kept driving, trying to keep away from the assholes that wanted to run us off the road.
Her tears ripped me apart as I shielded her body, gripping the bat in my free hand.
“It’s okay, sweet girl.” I repeated the words over and over, lost to my own memories as gunshots flew overhead.
I saw his lifeless eyes, felt the warmth of Carlito’s blood on my hands, the ice-cold sensation as blood drained from my body.
The past and present collided in that moment, and I was eight and terrified and helpless all over again.
“I got you,” I whispered as she curled into my side, squeezing me so tight I could hardly breathe but it didn’t matter because I was still lost somewhere between then and now.
“You’re safe, Zoya. I got you.”
The car swerved. Sledge bit out a string of curses as the back of the car collided with something, one of the bikers I assumed, and then the roar faded in the distance.
I continued to speak in soft tones, rubbing her back while her little body trembled with pure terror. “I’m here, Z. Your daddy is here too. You’re safe.”
“Eliana, come on sweetheart.” I recognized the voice, but the soft tone caught me off guard. I looked up and saw Sledge’s eyes staring at me, concern etched in the lines around his eyes and mouth. “We’re here.”
I blinked at the squat concrete building. “Where?”
“The clubhouse,” he whispered. “Couldn’t risk these assholes following us home.”
His words barely registered but the relief in his voice was unmistakable. I nodded. “Yeah, come on Zoya.” My words came out softly, trying to reassure her quivering body.
She didn’t move, her little arms tightening around my neck, face pressed into my chest.
Sledge’s expression was broken and he looked gutted that he couldn’t do anything for his daughter.
“I got her,” I said softly, more for him than for me. I brushed Zoya’s hair back and kissed the top of her head. “We’re going inside daddy’s clubhouse now, okay? We’ll be safe there.” I didn’t know if that was true, I just hoped it was.
Her tiny body trembled, but she nodded.
I looked back at Sledge once we were out of the car, accepting his short nod of silent gratitude. Zoya trembled in my arms, her death grip making it difficult to breathe but I adjusted, my sole focus was keeping her calm.
Inside the clubhouse was… odd. There were tons of people around, a silent sort of chaos.
Men in leather vests stood around in tense clusters, speaking in low, clipped voices.
Some of the women sat around holding their children and looking worried, while others moved around with a purpose that didn’t become clear until one stopped in front of us. “Um, hi.”
The pretty brunette smiled. “Come on, I’ll take you to one of the rooms where you can get cleaned up while the men talk.
” She was soft-spoken with a kind voice.
I followed her through the clubhouse, now we were in a part that looked a bit more residential.
A long corridor with a few doors. “Here we are, you can stay here tonight,” she said, stopping in front of a plain green door.
“I’ll get you some towels and fresh clothes not decorated with glass. ”
I offered a half-smile. “Thanks,” I said sincerely. “I’m forgetting my manners, I’m Eliana.”
She grinned. “Don’t worry, I can see you and Sledge ran into trouble. You’ll be safe here. I’m Ellie, Diesel’s old lady.”
I had no idea who Diesel was, but I assumed he was someone important. “Nice to meet you, Ellie.”
“You too. Hey, Zoya, sounds like you had a scary night, huh?” she said, offering the little girl a small smile.
Zoya looked up with recognition and nodded before she buried her face in my neck once more.
Ellie nodded. “I’ll bring you some fresh clothes, if you want to shower it’s just through there,” she said, pointing to the attached bathroom before she left us alone.
I took care of Zoya first, stripping her out of her clothes and washing her trembling body, leaving her wrapped in a towel while we waited for new clothes. “I’m going to shower now, okay?”
She didn’t answer.
“I’ll just leave you here,” I said but she reached out and clutched my arm. “Okay,” I sighed. “Come sit on the toilet so you can see me. I’m not going anywhere.”
Her grip loosened and she followed me into the bathroom, eyes on the tiled floor while she slowly rocked to calm herself.
Nothing seemed to calm her until we snuggled on the bed in the fresh clothes Ellie left for us.
With my arms wrapped tight around her, Zoya eventually relaxed but she didn’t sleep. Probably couldn’t.
She wasn’t the only one. I wanted to go and find Sledge to see what was happening, but I didn’t want to leave Zoya.
I figured he and his club brothers were probably trying to find out who tried to spook us.
Now I’d managed to calm down a bit, I realized that’s what it was.
They had a clear shot. If they’d wanted to kill us, they could have.
That wasn’t the intention. They’d wanted to intimidate us.
But why?