Page 45 of Carnival Queen

The fallout from the entire thing was far greater than anyone imagined. Finger pointing, name-calling, and rolling over became the normal over the next few weeks.

In all, more than seventy-one government officials were involved and found guilty.

Although they couldn’t blow up the freighters, they were able to return them to their rightful countries. Denis Leon was murdered while attending a cousin’s wedding. One that didn’t actually look like him. The DNA evidence proved that he was indeedtheDenis Leon.

“Well, you’re looking better,” smiled Faith as Deanna walked through the gardens. She nodded, taking a seat on the stone bench.

“Still a bit stiff, but I’m getting there.”

“Then why don’t you look happy about it?” she asked.

“Faith, I need to get away for a while. All of this, everything that happened hasn’t processed for me yet. I appreciate everything you all have done for me, but I need some time alone to absorb what’s happened.”

“Did you speak with Rachelle and the others about this?”

“I did. They’re concerned for me but said they wouldn’t stop me. Cruz, he said that there’s a house in San Diego.”

“Coronado,” said Faith. “Yes, we kept a house on Coronado Island. Would you like to go there? I can have a few of the boys take you.”

“No. I mean, yes, I’d like to go there. Alone. Please, Faith. I don’t want anyone to know where I am right now. I just need time alone.”

“Honey, we’ll be worried sick about you,” said Faith.

“I’ll have my phone. You can call me any time you want. Text me or anything. Just let me have some space for a while. Please.”

Faith stood and nibbled on her lip. Ian would have a fit about this. She couldn’t keep it from him or any of them. Maybe the boys could track her and observe from a distance.

“Alright,” she said, letting out a long breath. “Let me get the keys.”

“Thank you, Faith. Thank you!” she said, walking back toward her cottage. Forty-five minutes later, Faith was standing at her door handing her the keys to the house in Coronado.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“I’m positive. Don’t tell anyone. I’m going to leave this evening after dinner.”

“No,” said Faith. “If you’re going to leave, I’ll take you to the airport now before the guys get back. Are you sure you don’t want to stay and say goodbye to Pax?”

“Pax? Wh-why? I mean, he’s just a friend.”

“Is he? He’s been watching over you for weeks now, worried about you. He and the other boys are the ones that went down to Guyana. I’d say he’s more than a friend.”

“I can’t do this right now,” she said, shaking her head. “Will you take me to the airport?”

“Okay.”

The entire way there, Faith was trying to figure out a way to turn around and go back. She wanted to take the girl by her arm and give her a good talking to. But she wasn’t a little girl. She was a grown woman asking for some space because of the trauma she’d endured. Faith understood that better than most.

“I can park and come in,” said Faith.

“No. No, I just want to get to my gate. It leaves in forty minutes. I have to hurry, Faith. Please thank everyone for me. I’ll come back. I promise.”

Faith hugged the young woman, squeezing her extra tight.

“You’d better. We have another Mardi Gras coming next year. We’ll need someone to help find a new queen.” Deanna laughed, shaking her head.

“I think I’ll retire from that duty. Bye, Faith.”

“Bye, honey.”

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