“Right. I’m sorry about that.” Luckily, there was no pity in Rico’s voice.
“Thanks.” I shrugged, staring down at my stomach. “So you never answered my question. Where did you disappear to?”
Rico leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “Victor disappeared around the same time I left the country, and no one could track him down. I came back because a buddy of mine told me he saw him in New York, but on Thanksgiving, the people I sent to tail him lost him again.”
“Which was why you were so mad,” I realized.
He nodded. “Right. I kind of threw a fit and I suppose that’s when this fell out.” He waved the picture in the air.
I smirked a bit at the idea of this tough ex-gang member throwing a fit in the bathroom like a child.
“Then one of my contacts said they found Victor in Acapulco,” Rico continued. “I didn’t want anyone following me, so I booked a plane under a fake name and flew there.”
I bit my lip. “Did you find him?”
Rico’s eyes gleamed. “Yes. And let’s just say, James is a lot better off than he is right now.”
Considering James was currently facing many, many years of prison for kidnapping, assault, and attempted murder, I didn’t even want to know.
I realized with a start that I believed everything Rico told me. Even though he seriously creeped me out in the past, I had to admit he didn’t necessarily give off a rapist vibe to me. Just more of a sexual harasser vibe. (I’m only half joking). Besides, if he had done all the things James said he did, I’m sure Carlo would not be ok with him being anywhere near Valesca.
“Oh.” I fiddled with the edges of the Saran-wrapped sandwich.
“By the way, I’ll be collecting my payment now,” Rico added casually.
I snapped my head back up. “For what?”
“For finding you.” His tone was matter-of-fact. “I came back just in time to hear my brother and his little friends freaking out about how James must have kidnapped you. Once I heard that, I gave Lexi a call and, uh, persuaded her to tell me everything she knew. She mentioned James always talked about some warehouse where he met up with his partner, and bingo, there you were.” Rico shook his head. “That was a major slip-up on his part. Guess he didn’t think Lexi would be smart enough to remember that.”
“Oh.” A funny feeling washed over me when I realized I technically owed Rico my life. “I, uh, I guess I’ll treat you to dinner sometime.”
Rico laughed again. “Dinner? I save your life and you offer me dinner?”
“Well, what else do you want?” I asked crossly, then immediately regretted my question when his eyes raked over me suggestively.
“I think you know.” A sly smile broke out over his face.
I crossed my arms over my chest, which only served to amuse him more. “I don’t think so. I have a boyfriend. One who’s in a coma right now,” I hissed, instantly sobering up.
Rico didn’t look fazed. “Please. This is Roman we’re talking about. He’ll pull through.”
“I certainly hope so,” I mumbled. “We should head back.”
“Fine. But I’m going to be taking you up on that dinner offer.”
I rolled my eyes. Maybe Rico wasn’t as bad as I originally thought, but boy was he perverted. Still, I was glad I had a chance to talk to him. He certainly answered a lot of questions.
* * *
Another week passed, with no change on Roman’s part. I was getting more and more worried. At least it was already winter break. There was no way I could concentrate on school with him still in the hospital. I barely managed to finish my college applications, though luckily, I started so early there wasn’t much left for me to do by the time Roman was hospitalized.
And then, four days before Christmas, the call came.
“Maya! You need to get to the hospital, now!” It was Zack, and he sounded more frantic than I’d ever heard him. That in itself terrified me.
I didn’t even bother to ask what was wrong. Instead, I grabbed the keys to my dad’s car and sped towards the hospital.
My parents had been absolutely horrified and shocked when they found out about everything that had happened, but on the upside, my relationship with my dad was gradually mending. It would still be a while before we were back to the way we used to be—if that’s possible—but it was an improvement.
However, the only thing on my mind right now was Roman. Why did I need to go to the hospital so quickly? Did he wake up? Or did he—