I grimaced, having fallen back into speaking Spanish without realizing it. Guzman and Maria both understood English, but they weren’t comfortable speaking it, so the majority of the time, I spoke Spanish out of respect for them. Mom knew the basics, but as fast as I’d been talking to the head of security, she couldn’t keep up.
“Guzman, this is my mother, Felicity,” I introduced. “And, I’m hoping, the answer to our prayers. Mom, this is Guzman. He’s in charge of security here. If you have any concerns and I’m not available, make sure to voice them to him. He can understand you, but he’s not as comfortable speaking English.”
Mom shook his hand, but she gave the guard a cold glare. “Guzman, maybe you can explain to me why you didn’t tell my husband my daughter was here when he came.”
His face tightened at the accusation in her tone. “I didn’t know Miss Nova’s father was among those who came for Manuel’s body.” He made a face at having to speak his old boss’s name. Guzman had made no secret of the fact that he’d detested Manuel. “If I had known he was, I would have taken him to her. But he and his men showed up here ready for war. After the destruction Manuel had already caused, I was not prepared to risk more lives, including those of the women under my care.”
I translated for him, and Mom lost some of her frost. “But what about telling them Cali was dead?”
“I didn’t know if they were friend or foe,” Guzman explained. “With how they arrived and their aggressive actions, I had to make a choice. Tell the truth and possibly put her life in more danger, or lie and let them and the world at large think she was no longer the Ramirez heir. To protect Miss Calista, I chose to tell anyone who asked that she was dead. I apologize if that caused you distress, but I do not regret doing what I had to protect those who rely on me for their safety.”
I patted him on the shoulder, letting him know that I didn’t hold his choice against him before translating for Mom. Guzman was a little bit younger than my dad, and I’d placed him in a parental role for both Cali and myself over the past couple of months. He reminded me a little of Pietro in a way, which always made me sad. I missed my old bodyguard, and in my heart, I knew he hadn’t made it out of that limo alive the night everything had gone to hell.
Mom was slower to accept the explanation, but she finally gave a stiff nod in understanding. “I don’t like the lying, but I understand why you did it. I’m still not happy about it, though, and I don’t know if I trust you or not.”
“I will work on earning your trust,” Guzman told her humbly, bowing his head respectfully to her.
“Mom, don’t give him a hard time,” I urged. “And right now, whether you trust Guzman or not isn’t the issue. I need you to use your mom powers and convince Cali that she needs to go to the hospital.”
“Right,” she agreed. “Well, let’s not waste any more time.”
Upstairs, I knocked on Cali’s bedroom door. I heard a tired, “Come in,” and I opened the door.
When she saw me, her face lit up. “You’re back! I thought you wouldn’t be back until tomorrow night.”
“I brought you a surprise,” I said, staying in the doorway.
“You know I hate surprises,” she complained, but she couldn’t hide the glimmer of excitement in her blue eyes.
“You don’t want it?” I asked with a pout. “Okay, wel
l, I guess I’ll—”
“Who said I didn’t want it?” she grumbled. “I don’t like surprises, but I will never turn down a present.”
“I didn’t have time to wrap it,” I said. “And even if I did, I probably wouldn’t have been able to find a box big enough.” Stepping into the room, I moved aside so Mom could come in behind me.
“Surprise!” Mom shouted softly.
“M-Mrs. Hannigan?” Cali whispered in shock before turning accusing eyes on me. “You kidnapped your mom?”
I snickered. “Does she look like she’s here under duress?”
“Well, no, but how is she here?” Cali started to sit up, agitated. “Wait, is anyone else here? Is—”
“I only brought Mom,” I rushed to assure her, and I was thankful when she carefully dropped back against her million and one pillows. “Since you were being stubborn about everything, I felt like I needed reinforcements. I couldn’t think of anyone better to help than my own mother.”
Cali relaxed into the pillows and gave Mom a small smile. “It’s great to see you, Mrs. Hannigan, but your daughter wasted your time if she thinks I can be dissuaded from having the baby here at home.”
Mom crossed to the bed and sat down beside Cali. Taking the girl’s hand, she gave it a loving squeeze. “We can discuss that later. Right now, tell me how you are feeling. Nova told me everything, and I’ve been so worried about you, sweet girl.”
“Oh, well, I’m fine,” she said shyly. “I mean, I’m a prisoner of this bed at the moment, but I’m okay with that.” She rubbed her hand over her slightly distended belly. “This little girl is worth being bored out of my mind all day long. If she’s okay, then nothing else matters.”
“May I?” Mom asked, her gaze going longingly to where Cali was touching.
Taking one of Mom’s hands, Cali pulled up her shirt and placed it on her skin. “She’s not too active yet, but when she does kick, it’s pretty powerful. Right, Nova?”
I walked over to sit in the chair beside the bed. “She tends to be squirmier at night. Sometimes I’ll snuggle up with Cali and rub her belly. Usually, I end up falling asleep talking to the little brat.”