Chapter 114 Plans
"What the hell is he doing here!" Dad shouts, and I lift my head to see Miguel walking into my parents' house like he owns the place.
My heart yearns to get up from the couch and go to him, but I know it's not going to sit well with my father and that I should try to keep the peace right now.
"We need his insight." T.J. holds his hands up. "He obviously has a lot of experience that we could really use right now."
Miguel's eyes are piercing on me, but we both know now is not the right time to stir the pot when everyone is already on edge.
Ben might have orchestrated another murder.
That means everyone around me is a target, and trying to sort that out is the most important part.
"I agree with T.J." Uncle Alessandro says.
Dad seems to relent then, crossing his arms, but he still doesn't look happy.
The irony is not lost on me that they used to love Ben so much, even when I didn't really. And now that I love Miguel, they can't stand him.
Yes, I love him, maybe a little too much, and he's the only person I want to be with all the time.
Miguel's eyes leave mine and focus on T.J. "What have you got?"
T.J. explains everything about what happened to Armando, and I'm feeling so guilty again. How many more people are Ben going to kill? And for what?
If he finds out about Miguel and me, he's going to lose his mind. Who will be in the crossfire then?
"I have an ally that can hack into anything." Miguel says. "I don't know if she's available right now, but if she is, she can hack into his work computer and personal one, maybe his phone and see if he maybe hired an assassin."
I don't like the word "she." I think I know who he's talking about and I thought that I was rid of her. He might not see it, but Lucille wants Miguel.
Right now, I can't say or expect anything, though. If she can help us, then I have to shove my personal issues aside.
"I thought you were going to handle your brother." Dad says accusingly.
I like how Miguel completely keeps his cool, no expression on his face that might betray his feelings.
"I am, I also don't want his death traced back to me. As you well know, I have very elaborate future plans, I don't intend to end up in jail." He says coolly, making me clench my thighs at the thought that his plans are all about me and the life we want to have. "My father is blind to who Ben is, if he were to end up dead, there will be an extensive investigation. I can make him disappear, but I need something tied to him that makes his disappearance plausible."
I should be scared of how he so casually talks about making someone disappear, yet I'm not.
"I've discovered a money trail at work." Miguel continues. "It probably will lead to him, and if Lucille can hack his personal devices, we can maybe link him to the drugs as well, and where the hell he gets it from."
"Would you contact Lucille as soon as possible?" T.J. frowns. "We can pay her whatever she wants for her services."
God, something has to give, we can't keep going around in circles like this. Who will be next in Ben's line of fire?
"This is not on you." Miguel returns his attention back on me, and my eyes start burning. "You're not responsible for his actions."
"Aren't I, though?" My words come out soft, but sure.
I wasn't the one wielding the knife, but I knew what Ben is capable of, and yet I've been going on with my life as if he wasn't in it.
"You're going to have to stop blaming yourself." Miguel's words sound more like a demand, but I've been wearing guilt as a second garment for so long now, it's become familiar.
"Miguel is right, baby girl." Mom comes to sit next to me. "You know what, we could do with a holiday, like old times, maybe go somewhere warm and nice. Like we used to when Dad went into the off-season."
Something flashes in Miguel's eyes that tells me he doesn't like that idea, but for once I actually agree with Mom.
Maybe if I'm not in the city, it would help the investigation. I wouldn't be here to cloud Miguel's judgement either, maybe he will deal with everything faster then.
"I'm not feeling too good." I'm starting to develop a splitting headache, the stress of everything becoming way too much. "I'm going to take some Advil and lie down."
I do just that, leaving everyone to figure out what the hell to do. After about ten minutes, there's a soft knock on my door, and Miguel enters.
"They didn't ban you from coming in here?" I joke.
He sits on the edge of my bed, concern in his face as he gently runs his fingers through my hair.
"I don't want you going away." He says softly, his eyes on the actions of his hand. "But maybe your mother is right. You'll be much safer away from here."
"I don't want to be away from you." I sound needy, but it's the truth.
He bends down and kisses me softly. "I don't want to be away from you either, but it would only be temporary."
Even temporary doesn't sit well with me, but I know he's right. Leaving here for a while, might end up saving my life.