The Mafia and Her ✔

Chapter 39

I was planting more flowers in the front yard when Alvaro splashed my head with a water balloon. I shrieked at the icy cold water and laughed my heart out.

It had been a week since Dexter lost all his supporters and investors, and he even tried to reach out to me to "apologize" so he could get money. I blocked all of his access. He was dead to me.

A new slate begins now.

Things had been relatively quiet around here. Izan told me to take a week off from my job, and I didn't object. I was too mentally exhausted to argue with him. I needed a break.

"Oh, you're so going to get it!" I smiled at Alvaro and saw the balloons in a bucket near Vivian's chair. She was laughing and videotaping us. I didn't mind. I was happy. I felt like a child with no worries again. Like my life was finally falling into place.

Alvaro jumped when he saw me running toward him, determined to win this fight.

We played for an hour until we were both panting on the floor, wet and filled with mud. I had never felt more liberated.

"You both need a shower," Vivian commented. We stared at her and shared a knowing look. She paled, understanding our intentions, and started walking back toward the house. But we beat her to it and threw balloons at her clothes.

"All of us need to shower now," I corrected her, and she joined in. We played war games for another half an hour.

Our game was cut short when a black Cadillac parked in the driveway. We didn't recognize it, and the windows were tinted, so we didn't see who was inside.

Something is off.

"Alvaro, come here," Vivian firmly said as she hid her son behind her. I quickly grabbed the shovel I was using for my flowers and held it defensively.

Izan was at one of the offices, working on mafia business with the rest. Vivian and I were on our own to fend for ourselves and Alvaro. I was stronger than before, but I didn't know if I could beat a full-grown man yet.

After a few minutes of complete silence and sweating our butts off, waiting for an attack, a very buffy man got out of the car.

He was huge.

Yep, we're dead.

So motivational, Verena.

"Stop right there," I demanded loud and clear. The man stopped walking and stared at us for a moment. "Who are you?" I asked, urging him to identify himself instead of standing like a dumb statue. I was ready to die for them, but I wouldn't go without a fight.

"Vivian, take Alvaro and enter the house. Go call Izan," I whispered, and her eyes widened. She wanted to object, but I glared at her and pointed to the man's gun. She knew Alvaro was our main priority now. I ushered her to enter, and she did.

I focused back on the man who was narrowing his eyes. "Is this Izan Guerrero's house?" His voice was gruff and deep, making me think of the homeless man I met a few days ago who was smoking crack.

Great, another crackhead.

And he's ugly.

Not his face.

He has a normal face, but his aura and vibes are sickening.

Focus Verena.

I tightened my grip on the shovel. "Who's asking?"

"A messenger. I have an envelope for Mr. Guerrero, and he needs to read it as soon as possible. My boss doesn't like to wait." His accent was familiar, but I couldn't place my finger on it.