Perfect Enemies

24

“Oh, I don’t know. I guess I’d have to look into it if we decided that’s what we wanted. For now, I just wanted to tell you girls because you deserve to know. I’m sorry I kept it a secret for so long. It just never seemed like the right time …” My rock-solid mother, who didn’t even cry watching Titanic, began to tear up. The table was engulfed in awkwardness. My frantic stare cut to Camilla beside me, who returned my helpless look with wide eyes of her own. “Hey, um, we’ve got some news as well.” Giada to the rescue. “Javi and his friend Santino have started up a security company. They’ve already rented a small building and started talking with clients. How exciting is that?” Mom smiled through glassy eyes. “That’s wonderful, Javier. I’m so glad you’ve been able to settle in here so quickly.” Talk about Javi brought my thoughts back to the other reason I’d been excited about our family dinner. Reyna had told me about seeing Santino in her yard on Monday. He had to have seen me there, which means he knew about our friendship. If Santino knew, then Javier knew. Maybe that was how Giada had learned I’d been there. Either way, Javier knew about my friendship with Reyna, which meant I might be able to ask him for help. A surge of excitement added a new element to my emotional roller coaster of an evening. I’d been panicking about how to help Rey and had debated begging Sofia for help, but if anyone would know how to escape the cartel, it was someone who had been in the cartel himself. Javier could be our answer to everything. He wasn’t sworn to my father, so in theory, he could help me without telling a soul. And if I needed help persuading him, I had a feeling I could count on Giada to make it happen. First, I’d see what Javi said before I brought her into the mix, but she was a strong plan B. I perked back up, engaging in dinner conversation and forcing down some food. The second dinner finished, and I was able to get Javi away from the others, I made my first move. “I need to talk to you,” I whispered discreetly. “Can you meet me before school tomorrow? I know it’s a pain to drive out here, but it’s really important.” He lifted his gray eyes, not totally unlike my own, and peered over at where the others were taking dishes to the kitchen. “If you need me, I can be here.” I squashed down the premature wave of relief that tried to mount. “Seven thirty at the Dunkin’ on Hylan. That work?” School started at eight fifteen, which would give me just enough time to give him a quick rundown of the situation before getting back to school in time for first period. Ever the stoic badass, Javier only nodded one single drop of his chin. The stage was set, so now, I just had to reel him in. The following morning, I told my mom that I needed to go in early for a study session with a teacher. She dropped me off out front of the school, and I rushed down the sidewalk the second her car disappeared from view. When I stepped through the doorway at Dunkin’, Javi was already seated at a table with Santino, and they were both sipping from steaming paper cups. I realized I hadn’t explicitly told him to come alone. I pulled out the chair across from them like a felon fessing up my crimes to two hardnosed detectives. I could feel my lips thin when my eyes drifted to Santino. “I guess it’s good you’re here. I’d love to know more about why you’re following Reyna.” Santino didn’t respond. He didn’t even move a muscle. “Is that why you wanted to meet?” Javi asked. “To discuss Santino?” I sighed, placing my hands on the table. “No. But before I can tell you that, I need you to promise me that you won’t tell my family what I’m about to say.” “Valentina, surely, you know I can’t make such a promise. I’m in a precarious position as it is with your family.” “But this doesn’t have to have anything to do with them.” Javi lifted his free hand in a kind of shrug. “That’s something I could only determine after I’ve heard what you have to say. It’s a gamble you’ll have to take if you want my help.” I stared at the man who had left everything he’d known to be with my sister and decided to take that chance. If anyone understood the need for a fresh start, it was Javi. “As you already guessed, I need your help. I hadn’t asked before because I didn’t realize you knew about my friendship with Rey, but after Giada talked to me last night, the cat’s out of the bag.” I lifted my gaze to his. “Reyna is a good person. She’s not like her dad, and she needs our help to get away from him.” Javi sipped from his cup before responding. “We can’t steal her away from her father.” “It’s not stealing her away. It’s helping her escape. She’s the one leaving. She just needs papers to give herself a chance to stay hidden,” I argued passionately. “You got away from the cartel, so there’s no reason she can’t as well.” “She’d have to be willing to disappear completely—become someone new and leave behind everyone she cares about permanently—and not many people are willing to go to those lengths.” “We know.” The ragged words came from the depths of my soul, where I wept for Reyna. I hated that she’d have to be on her own, but I hated leaving her with her father even more. “She’s willing to do whatever it takes.” Javi exchanged a look with Santino. “It’s only papers you’re after?” I sat taller in the small metal chair. “Yes, and for you not to tell my father.” “Papers are one thing, but a secret from your father is another. I’ll do what I think is best, and that’s all I can give you.” “I understand but know that if Dad learns about any of this, he’ll keep me from seeing Reyna. Right now, I’m all she has.” My attempt at an emotional plea fell on deaf ears. Javi might as well have been a castle guard outside Buckingham Palace—totally impervious to anything I said. His lack of response stirred up a swarm of emotions that clamored for an explosive release, but I’d only be hurting my chances. Instead, I gritted my teeth together and rose. “I’d better get back to school. Thanks for meeting with me.” Javi nodded again. “I’ll be in touch.” I said my goodbye and left the shop, desperately hoping I’d made the right decision.