Page 18 of Sapphires and Snakes
“I don’t know.”
“She never told you?” I ask.
“No. I was her emergency contact. When the hospital called me that night…” Rita stares at the album, but her gaze is unfocused, as if she’s reliving the memory. “She almost died. She wouldn’t tell me the whole story, but I got a few details out of her. A gang of guys cornered her in an alley and… they didn’t even take anything.”
“That’s horrific.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders and rub her back, the action soothing myself, too. The thought of Tamayo cornered, beaten, and alone makes an urge for violence burn through my muscles. I have no idea who attacked her, but I would like to press my knife into their skin and watch fear blow their pupils wide.
“Zarina, I know you’re a smart woman. That you can take care of yourself.” Rita leans back in her chair, my hand falling from her retreating back to the photo album between us. She stares at the pictures, fingers rubbing her bottom lip.
I hum and wait for her to find the words.
“I also know that Tamayo’s business is…” She struggles, looking around the room like the polite way to say this is hidden among the cushions.
“Her business isn’t on the level,” I finish for her.
“So you know.”
“I do.” I close the album and set it on the low coffee table in front of us. I want to have this conversation without distractions. “Neither is mine.”
Rita watches me, waiting.
“I really like you, Rita. I love this place, what you’re doing here for these kids, what you’ve done for past kids.” Tamayo’s name hangs in the air, unspoken between us. “I hope that mine and Tamayo’s business doesn’t drive a wedge between you and her, or stop us from making our own connection. But I understand, too, if it does.”
Rita clasps her hands in her lap, her thumb stroking the bones beneath her skin from left to right and back again as she considers me. When I suggested that we visit Alphabet House earlier, it was half out of guilt. Last night, Marcus might have attempted kidnapping, but I’m the one who fired a gun in a room full of people. Including her. I’m the one who threatened war.
Rita isn’t a part of our world, even if she stands on the fringes. These kids are her charges, this place their last home before they’re forced onto the streets, and our presence could jeopardize that. Or worse, put them all in danger simply because Tamayo cares about them. And I do, too.
I wouldn’t blame her if she wanted distance.
“Last night scared me,” Rita admits.
I nod, saddened. “I understand.”
“I don’t want to know the details.” She waves her hand and closes her eyes, like she’s trying to block the knowledge from her sight.
“It’s best if you don’t.”
She snorts. “But I want to know, honestly, if we’re ever… threatened.”
“Tamayo and I will do everything in our power to keep you and these kids safe. I promise.”
“You’re not a god, Zarina. You can’t keep that promise.”
“Not a godyet.” I wink at her, trying to ease the discomfort of this conversation.
Rita cracks an amused smile, but it falls seconds after it forms. “I can’t watch her fight for her life like that again.” She grabs my hand in hers and clutches it so tight, the tendons rub together. Her voice is desperate. “Please keep her safe.Please.”
I study her face, the shadow of a fear long-held and often realized in her brown eyes. This promise is harder to make. Because I won’t be around in two months’ time to keep it. Andmore, my quest to bring my family back from the brink of extinction could directly result in Tamayo’s pain.
It already has.
She didn’t tell me, but I know her business is suffering. I know the Accardis have been hitting her where they can, vandalizing properties, harassing her family. I know they can do worse. And they will.
Soon, I won’t be the only one with bruises.
But Rita doesn’t want to know that, and it wouldn’t help if she did. Tamayo made her choice, struck this deal with me, and these are the consequences. I wish I could shield her and her family from this, but not more than I wish to find a way to save my own family from themselves.
So I wrap a hand around Rita’s with a comforting squeeze, school my face into something calm and caring, and promise her that I will do everything I can to keep her worst fears from happening. Her shoulders sag with relief, and she dabs at the corners of her eyes. I try not to let the guilt swirling in my gut climb up my throat.
