Page 90 of Liar
“Um ... about that.” He clears his throat. “We have a problem.”
“What kind of problem? Is it Diego?”
“Not Diego. Close the shop for a few minutes and I’ll show you.”
I hurry over to the door, lock it, and flip the sign to:Be right back,while Javier pulls up something on his phone, a video feed of Lavandería Luciana from last night.
He hits play and my throat hitches. While I was busy with two customers and their specific laundry requirements, Ignacio and a few Sureños were loitering about outside. In the far background, the Lobo posted outside my business is on his cell phone, probably calling for reinforcements. A chill runs up my spine as, at one point, Ignacio cups his hands around his eyes and peers inside the front window.
I never knew they were there.
The video continues, and I’m even more horrified, as my two customers encounter the Sureños out front. Ignacio says something that causes them to rush off.
“That’s why they didn’t pick up their laundry today,” I grind out.
With a satisfied expression on his smug face, Ignacio stalks off and his men follow, while the Lobo is frantically talking on his phone.
“You’ve caught Ignacio’s attention,” Javier comments.
“Unfortunately, we have a history. He had his man ask me for my phone number. Have you ever eaten at Sonja’s Tamale stand just off the square?”
“Best tamales in Loreto.” He pauses as it dawns on him why I’m asking. “You didn’t.”
“I gave him her number.”
His eyes grow enormous. “You’re tamale girl?”
A pressure forms in the pit of my stomach. “You’ve heard about me?”
“Luciana, everyone has. It’s become a running joke between the men. Marifer used to taunt Ignacio about being outsmarted by a woman. The one that got away, is how she’d refer to you. It made him furious. He announced to everyone that they’ll be the ones laughing when his tamale girl comes crawling back to him.”
Crawling—if I’d landed differently on that hard, wooden stage, I might have. “He’s already had his revenge. You were there, the night of Nacionales when I was dropped on my face. My former partner is Ignacio’s nephew. He was ordered to do it.”
“Puta madre.”
“Sí. My thoughts exactly. But Ignacio’s machismo was vindicated.” I frown. “And I paid a dear price for rebuffing him. End of story.”
Javier, being Javier, gives voice to my worries. “If so, why were he and the Sureños outside your business last night? He knows where you work. You need more protection.”
I want to protest or deny the obvious. Maybe Ignacio got lost? Maybe Ignacio doesn’t realize it’s my business? Lavandería Luciana—not a chance. Facts are facts. And the biggest fact is that Ignacio is infamous for three things: pettiness, arrogance, and being a womanizer. A lethal trifecta for the unmarried female population.
“I’ll post two men to watch over you.”
“Thank you.” It’s a bitter pill to swallow, this around-the-clock babysitting. But Ignacio’s already run off two customers. What am I supposed to do?
“The Lobo posted outside, did he call you?”
If Diego finds out ...
“Yes.”
“I have another favor to ask. Can you not make a big deal of what happened last night? Not tell Diego.” I bite my lip, recalling my last discussion withhim. “Not tell the Bastard either.”
Javier nervously shuffles on his feet, a sign he probably hasn’t informed anyone about my issue with Ignacio. “This time, yes. But if Ignacio persists ...”
I drive home my point. “It could start another war. The Bastard isn’t ready for that. We’d be at a disadvantage.”
“No. Boss is adamant we kiss Ignacio’s ass. Give him what he wants for now.”
