Loving Vicente

XV

DANIELLA’S POV:

My trip was slowly coming to a close. I only had a few weeks left in Mexico. I was anxious to get home and tell my parents the truth. I was only nineteen and I hadn't finished my nursing degree. I didn't want to quit school, hopefully, we could find a way to make it work. Walking around my room, I slowly start packing my things away.

There was still time left but I always like being prepared. Anna pokes her head into my open doorway. "Hey, I made some food." She says and disappeared back into the kitchen. My stomach rumbled with hunger. As of late, I had been so hungry. Walking into the kitchen, I take a seat across from my uncle. Glancing up from his newspaper, he smiles and says hello. Anna sets a steaming plate of pancakes, eggs, and bacon in front of me.

It looked so good, I could almost cry. "Thank you, Anna," I say with a smile before we all grasp hands and pray. While we're eating, my phone vibrates with a text. A small smile makes its way to my face knowing it was Vicente. Ever since he found out I was pregnant, he started asking how we girls are doing. He swears we're having a girl.

"Who are you smiling at?" My uncle asks, causing me to freeze. I scramble trying to make up a lie. "Just my parents Tio." He doesn't seem to question it as he continues his conversation with Anna. They had been talking about college and as of late Anna seemed more open to the idea. I think Isa dying made her realize how quickly life can be taken from you.

She seemed sad lately but Anna always plays it off whenever I ask her about it. After texting back Vicente and washing my plate off, I head back into my room. It was only 10 AM and I was already feeling tired. Laying down, I open up my book and try to get some reading in. Anna knocks on my door a few hours later. Telling her to come in, she takes a seat on the edge of my bed.

I set my book to the side and sit up against the bed frame. "What's up prima?" (Cousin) I ask her. She stays quiet for a moment before speaking up. "I wanted to talk about Isa..." Her voice breaks as she mentions her name. Keeping quiet, I let Anna gather herself before continuing the conversation. "What happened that night?" She asks. I let out a deep sigh, feeling anxious as I recall the memories of that night.

"I wish I had more of an answer for you... But I was in the closet the whole time. All I know is the rival cartel that jumped us broke in and must've seen Isa first. Vicente said she was dead by the time he got downstairs." Bile rises in my throat as the words leave my mouth. Anna takes a deep breath before nodding her head understandingly. "Thank you for telling me." She says. I drop my eyes, feeling guilty. I knew it wasn't my fault, but a part of me couldn't help but feel it was.

"So... How are things with Vicente? Did you tell him you were pregnant?" Anna lowers her voice on the last part, making sure my uncle didn't hear. "We talked and he decided to come home with me." My response comes out shy, my face blushing red. Anna beams a bright smile, "I'm so happy for you!" She replies, easing my nerves.

"What are your parents going to say?" Anna asks. Pushing my face into my hands, I let out a loud groan. "I don't even know. They are going to be so upset." I explain with a heavy heart. The last thing I wanted to do this summer was disappoint my parents. It's not like I planned on meeting Vicente. Around 8 PM, Vicente texted me asking if he could pick me up. Sending back a yes, I get up and bounce around my room to get ready.

Anna laughs and leaves, letting me get ready. We had to wait a few hours for my uncle to head to sleep, but once he was out I let Vicente know I'm ready and waited patiently for him. It doesn't take long for him to pull in at his usual spot. He opens up the door for me, leaving me with a smile.

When he slides in next to me, I'm hit with the smell of his cologne and aftershave. I'm not sure if it was the hormones but it made me want to jump his bones. I pull his face closer to mine and plant a kiss on his lips. He kisses me back gently, holding onto the back of my head. When we pull away his eyes are dark and roaming my figure. "Well hello to you too, Hermosa." His voice is filled with lust, causing a wave of desire to roll through my body.

Smiling, I slip on my seat belt and sit back in the seat. "What's the plan for tonight?" I ask, knowing I'd get a vague answer in response. "We're going back to my house..." He says hesitantly, gauging my reaction. "Will your dad be there?" I ask. He shakes his head, "Of course not." With a nod of my head, we start the drive toward his house. Pulling in here the first time felt magical, I was excited. Now, I have this pit in my stomach.

Walking through the doors, everything was back in place. It didn't even look like there was a break-in. Walking up the stairs, we head into his room and I sit on his mattress. He walks over to his closet and pulls out a few bags. "I'm going to start packing up my things and I'll probably stay with one of my guys until we leave." I nod my head and follow him into his closet.

We laugh and talk while grabbing his clothes and tossing them into a duffel bag. Once we were finished, he grabbed the bag and leads me into the hallway. "I can't wait to start a new life with you and our daughter, Daniella." He says, his voice vibrating off the hollow walls. I smile upon hearing his words. "You don't even know if it's a girl." I laugh, walking down the stairs to the kitchen.

Stepping down the last step, Vicente flicks the lights on. A man stood in their kitchen, his hands spread across the marble countertop and his face twisted with anger. I could tell by Vicente's reaction he didn't know he was going to be there. "Luis? What are you doing here?" His voice comes out calm but I could see the panic written in his eyes, causing fear to chill my bones.

VICENTE’S POV:

Luis standing in my kitchen was the last thing I was expecting. He and my father were supposed to be going out of town for the week on "business". Whatever that meant, I didn't ask questions.

Luis must've heard what I said to Daniella because I can see the look on his face. "Luis, please just let us-" He cuts me off before I can finish. "I always knew you were weak." He spits out, his voice laced with hate.

I'm taken aback by his response. He always respected me because of my name and position in this cartel. "What the f**k are you talking about?" I try keeping my cool since my pregnant girlfriend stood beside me.

Her eyes round with fear as she watches our exchange. "You heard me." His stare doesn't waver from mine. "Go wait for me in the car," I tell Daniella, holding out my keys. She doesn't hesitate to pluck the keys from my hand and scurry out the door.

Once I hear the door shut, I turn my focus back toward Luis. "Pretty little thing you got there. It would be a shame if anything happened to her." Anger boils my blood as I take a few steps closer. "What the hell is your problem? Why are you even here?" He steps out from behind the counter.

"Your father always knew you were weak. He knew from the moment he saw how attached you were to your mother." My hands clench into fists, my teeth grinding together. "Don't speak about my mother," I say, my voice sounding like a warning.

"You can't leave us, Vicente. I won't let you ruin what we've built!" He yells out. c*****g his arm back, I watch as he swings at me. I duck the blow and his fist collides with the wall. He lets out a groan of frustration. As his back is turned, I pull out my gun from the back of my waistband.

I didn't want to kill him. He was my father's best friend, the closest thing I had to an uncle. He doesn't even flinch when he sees the gun aimed at him. "Are you man enough to kill me, Vicente?" He says, antagonizing me. "Just let me walk, it doesn't have to be this way."

He smacks his teeth, shaking his head. "You're wrong, Vicente. It does. Let that girl go, break her heart, and handle your business." My grip on the gun tightens, "I can't do that. I love her and she's pregnant with my child. Mi sangre." (My blood). He lets out a dark chuckle, angering me even more.

"So what? You'll have another." I shake my head at him, "Let me go, Luis." I say one last time, hoping he would change his mind. He pulls out a gun of his own, aiming it at me. I fire off a few shots out of pure reaction and watch as they hit his chest and his body slumps to the floor.

I rush towards him, kicking his gun away. "I'm sorry, Luis. Let me help you." He grabs onto my shirt, pulling me towards him. "I should've killed you like I killed your mom." He breathes out before his hand falls away and his eyes go lifeless.