Page 142 of The Devil's Heir
"Oh, I see."
I'm not one to be too nosey in other people's lives, so I don't ask what they were going over. I turn back to the counter and start pulling eggs from the carton.
"I was serious, Lily. Let me make that for you." Zita moves to my side, taking the eggs from me.
"I can make my own food," I sigh.
"Not when you're about to pop, mama. Now, go sit down. You can keep me company."
If Zita wasn't the enemy's daughter, I think I may like her. However, I can't bring myself to trust her, no matter how much Joey and even Jackson trusts her. Until Jarek is found, I can't bring myself to make a connection with her.
"So, what does your mother think of you staying here instead of going back home?" I finally ask. If she disowned her father, surely her mother would have a say about it.
"My mother passed away after my younger brother was born—complications giving birth," Zita replies without turning around.
I wince, and then guilt takes hold for asking such a question.
"I'm sorry…"
"It's okay, I was young. It doesn't bother me to talk about it anymore."
"How many siblings do you have?"
"Three brothers. I was the only girl."
"So, will your brothers retaliate to get you back?" I ask, worried that the whole family will come down on us.
"No. My brothers love me, and I've talked to them. They know my views on what my father has done, and they know my feelings for Joey. They don't agree with my father's actions either."
I don't say anything. There's nothing to say. She could be telling the truth, or she could be lying. I won't call her out on it if I'm unsure.
"Thank you for helping to keep me a secret," I tell her, even though I'm still wary.
"Of course. You know," Zita says, turning around before continuing, "I haven't left this cabin or talked to anybody since I've been here. I had a feeling you wouldn't welcome me, and I wanted to prove to you that I'm not your enemy."
I remain quiet as I study her.
"I had a few words for Mr. Falcon before he disappeared. I blamed him for me being here because that's what Joey had told me. I feel bad now, especially after Joey told me the truth."
"You weren't mad at him for it? Joey, I mean?"
"Oh, I was pissed," she exclaims, then smiles. "But as always, Joey wormed his way in again, and he's been making up for it ever since."
I nod, not knowing what else to say.
"If it makes you feel better, I don't think Mr. Falcon is deceased. I also don't think my father has him, or else he would have used him to get me to come back."
"You think Greco has him?"
Zita shakes her head. "My cousin is married to Carlos's son. She swears he isn't there. My cousin would never lie to me. She is keeping her ears open for us, but it's been months, and there's been no talk about it."
Hearing this doesn't help me any. If Rossi doesn't have Jarek, and Greco doesn't have him, there's only one person who I think is ballsy enough to have him, but where she would keep him, I'm unsure.
Suddenly, the kitchen door bursts open, and Jackson comes in, gripping a newspaper. Joey rushes in a few steps behind him, his phone up to his ear. Both men stare at me with shock written all over their faces.
"What is it?" I ask, standing up.
"You may want to sit back down, Lily," Jackson states, walking over to me.
