Chapter 10
“I’m not exactly from around here,” Scott said as he looked into her brown eyes, each one a dark pearl against a full moon.
A gold cross hung from her neck and sparkling Christmas tree earrings dangled from her perfect ears. When she smiled, it was like someone opened a window.
“You speak pretty good Spanish for a gringo,” she said.
“So that drunk guy, his father is the Hyena?”
“That’s right, La Hiena. And he’s every bit a wild dog as they say he is.”
“Nice family.”
New people kept arriving to the party, and most of the guests who witnessed the ruckus had decided to stay. Maybe it was the free drinks.
A wind swept through the restaurant, making Daniela’s hair dance. “I’ve got to admit, gringo, that was stupid but brave.”
“Did you say brave?”
“Did you hear the first part, where I said stupid?” One of Daniela’s bandmates looked at her and waived her over.
“I should go,” she said.
“You’re an amazing singer,” he said as she turned away.
She smiled. “Too bad the hotel is closing. We just started playing here, and I just moved into the hotel with my dad. But as you can see, the Hyena and his dogs are ruining everything, like they do all over Acapulco.”
She looked out at the bay, sighing like a furnace. Boats decorated with Christmas lights cruised lazily under the moonlight. The cool night air felt good as it blew through his shirt.
“So what’s the deal with Cristiano?”
“Another crazy cocaine cowboy used to getting what he wants. But this is life in Acapulco.”
“Why doesn’t someone call the police?”
“His father owns the police.”
“The cartel is that powerful?”
“You poor gringo,” she said, shaking her head. “You don’t know the first thing about Acapulco. What’s worse, you don’t know what kind of problems you just created for yourself.”
Scott looked down at the ground then back into her beautiful eyes. “I still haven’t gotten your name.”
She laughed. “My name is Daniela, and even though I appreciate you standing up for me, I think you should go.” The shadow of a man at the entrance caught her attention. “Oh, no. It’s too late.”
Scott tried to say something but his throat was suddenly dry. A man wearing cowboy boots and a black suit entered the bar. His hair was slicked back, a cigar hung from his mouth.
“You should’ve left when you had the chance,” she said. “Here comes the Hyena.”
“Wait,” Scott said, turning back toward Daniela. “You never asked me for my name.”
“You’re really crazy, gringo,” she said. “Alright, what’s your name?”
“Scott. And if I live through this, I want to see you again.”
She shook her head. “Scott, don’t open your mouth and maybe he’ll let you live.”
One of the cartel members went behind the bar and turned off the music. The room fell silent.
“Where is the man that confronted my son?”