Page 13 of Malverde 5
“Can I ask you ...”Walter’s voice fell away as he shook his head.
She took another sip and then stared at him.“How did I get into this trouble?”
He nodded.
“I suppose I’ve been in this mess ever since my mom died when I was only four.I’m the youngest and I had my Aunt Tabby as she took care of me as a kid until I was sixteen, then...”she paused.
“Then?”
“She disappeared.”She raised her gaze up.“I never knew what happened to her until years later.I overheard my father talking about it to someone that worked for him.”Now she lowered her head and whispered, “My mother and my Aunt Tibby were both murdered by his men.”
Walter sucked in a breath and reached over to take her hand into his.
“I never told anyone.I don’t doubt that my father would have killed me too, if I had.But he said that he just didn’t need my mom anymore and that she was an annoyance.”Celina scoffed.“Who kills someone for that reason?Then he killed Tibby because she somehow found out about him killing her sister.”
Walter looked disgusted by her story.“So, where is your father now?”
“He’s in Europe.He joined his brother over there.Seems they have a very successful racket going on there.I’m sure it is illegal too.He’s actually in Spain.I don’t know much else.Just that my brothers are running things here.”She looked down at his hand holding hers.
Walter realized this and pulled his hand back.
Celina shook her head and kept a hold of his hand.
“You are safe now,” Walter told her in a soft voice as he squeezed her hand.
She stared at him.“I hope so but I have vowed that I will die fighting back if they ever try to hurt me again.I may end up like my aunt and my mother but I don’t care anymore.I am done with being meek and scared.I had a job for five years now and I’ve been saving up to be on my own.My brothers were told by our dad that I had to stay.But I’m done with having them as my family.”She scoffed.“What kind of family beats you senseless?”A lone tear rolled down her bruised cheek.
Walter reached over and swiped her tear away.“I am sorry that you have had to go through all of that.But you don’t have to worry.”
“I do!”She looked even more upset.“They are coming here!They will hurt you all.”
He grabbed both of her hands and assured her, “That won’t happen.We have more protection than you know.Just stay beside me so that I can do my work and watch out for you, ok?”
She looked into his eyes as if to ascertain if he meant his words.Then she slowly nodded her head.
Walter reached over and scooped her up.”I work in the security room and there is a comfortable sofa in there.I have cold drinks and even snacks.”He stood with her in his arms, swinging her over, he headed past the stairs and down the hall.
