Page 21 of Wishing for La Luna
I look at Mami, then at the doctor, before finally looking at Detective Martinez again. “I don’t remember anything. I am trying, but my brain is…like, foggy.”
“That makes sense. There were high levels of Vibenzine in your blood.”
“I was having mixed drinks only,” I say louder than I mean to. I’m tired of not knowing everything.
The detectives look at one another.
“Luna?” Detective Martinez calls out.
“I don’t understand any of this.”
“That’s normal,” Doctor Mendez says. “The levels of Vibenzine in your blood were high enough to kill you. It’s bound to cause a blank spot in your memories––”
Detective Bryant cuts off the doctor with a look.
“Let’s go over what you do remember.”
I nod. “Last night, I went to a concert with Adina and her boyfriend. She’s my––”
“This is Adina Belmont and Thierry Banks you’re referring to?” Detective Bryant asked, while Detective Martinez jots it in her notebook.
“Yes. We got ready at my house, and then her boyfriend picked us up.”
“Recount the night for me.”
But I don’t get to because I start heaving, and in the next minute, three people walk into the room. One of them is Maeven Tatis. I interned for her a year ago. I can’t see the other, but the third is the one that speaks.
“Hello,” says a pretty brunette in a suit, her hair in a sleek bob, and perfect cheekbone lines. “I’m Esmeralda Fernandez, Luna’s lawyer. I need a moment with my client.”
“She’s not under arrest,” Detective Martinez informs her.
Esmeralda shrugs. “She’s also in no condition to talk to you.”
I gag, and the nurse shoves a plastic basin in front of me.
“We’ll be back, Luna. But here’s my card if you feel better before we return.” Detective Martinez leaves the card on the rolling table and turns to leave.
When she moves, I realize a tall man is standing by the door with a shocked expression. No, not just any man. Rio Castillo.
Then my stomach jumps, and I manage to turn my head right in time as the water I’ve been drinking flies back out of my mouth and into the basin my mom is now holding.
I just want to die.
When my stomach settles, I lie back on the bed, avoiding all their gazes, praying for death to just take me now.
Out of all the people in the world to see me like this, it’s him.
My mom goes to the sink and washes her hands. “Thank you so much, Rio. I’m Raquel, Luna’s mom. I can’t thank you enough for what you did. You saved myMariposita’slife.”
She offers her hand, and he takes it. Then she throws her arms around him anyway.
The man and his bodyguard brought you here.
And I hear his voice in my head:“Luna, you want to come with me?”
Oh God, please. Just take me.
“Mariposita, they’re here with a proposal to help you,” Mami says.
