It goes off with a sharp pop, and warm liquid spills over my hands. Fear seizes my chest, choking my breath.
“Fuck.” Beto’s lips tighten, and he drops to his knees.
I’m holding the gun as Mateo enters the room.
“Beto!” He’s shouting, grabbing cloth to stop the blood, and I’m trying to figure out what just happened.
The gun slips from my hand to the white fluffy rug.
Angel is on the floor, terrified eyes flying between me and her brother. “Beto?”
It’s all happening so fast, but it feels like time has slowed down. Mateo rolls him onto his back, pressing a towel into Beto’s side. His eyes are closed, and blood is all over his stomach.
“No…” Blood on my hands, my arms, my jeans.
“I’m going to kill you!” Mateo screams at me, fire in his eyes.
“Angel, call 911.” My voice sounds strange, and I’m backing to the window. “Hurry!”
Mateo lunges for the gun on the floor, but I beat him to it, snatching it up and holding it loosely in my hand. I’m not a killer. I don’t know what the fuck to do right now.
“Go, Deacon!” Angel’s voice is hoarse with tears. “Just go… Now!”
“But…” I’m torn between wanting to help and knowing I can’t.
Mateo stands, pulling Beto up with him. He hauls him over his shoulder, turning for the door. Angel is right behind them, and I’m left standing in the room with her words echoing in my ears.
I do the only thing I know to do. I pick up my phone and leave through the window, running across the lawn to my waiting motorcycle.
18
Angel
“We’re sorry, the number you have reached is not available.” Pressing the end button, I hang up and try again.
The burner phone Deacon bought me is in my hand, and I’ve been calling him nonstop for five hours. I don’t know if he turned his phone off or if he left it in my bedroom or threw it away. Is he avoiding my calls?
Valeria is with me in the hospital pacing and praying. She’s been here since Mateo called her. My insides are raw, and I can’t seem to stop shaking. I don’t know how this happened.
One minute I was in bliss, wrapped in Deacon’s arms, filled with joy and wonder and lust and desire. The next, my brother was twisting my arm and yelling at my love, pulling out a gun and threatening him…
“It’s going to be okay, Carmie.” Valeria sees the fresh tears sliding down my cheeks and pulls me into a hug. “Everything is going to be okay.”
She brought me clean clothes, but my brother’s blood has stained my hands. I can’t seem to stop crying.
“I said it was an accident.” Mateo is beside us speaking low and not making eye contact. “I said he was cleaning the gun and it went off. He didn’t know it was loaded.”
“Is that not what happened?” Valeria looks up at him with astonishment then to me.
“It’s what happened.” Mateo looks at me as if to silence me. “I’ll take care of the rest.”
He turns and leaves us standing there as he exits the hospital, and I know he’s going to find Deacon. My stomach shudders, and a fresh wave of tears floods my eyes. I’ve got to stop him. I’ve got to find Deacon and warn him.
“I have to go.” I have to find my love before Mateo does.
“But your brother!” Valeria grips my arm, and I feel like I’m being torn in two.
“Miss Treviño?” A calm, female voice joins us in the waiting room. “Would you come with me, please?”