The Cartel Lawyer by Dave Daren (popular books to read .TXT) 📗

“And you’ll make enough money to pay for all this?” she questioned, and my heart squeezed in my chest as I heard the first hint of hope in her voice.

“Yes, mama,” I said as I turned around and smiled at her. “I told you my record was spotless at the Public Defender’s Office. They were very impressed with my record.”

She studied me like she wasn’t sure she believed me, but she had no reason not to believe me. She knew I’d played around with the idea of a big firm job before, so she nodded her head and sighed, though she still seemed a little dubious.

“I know you’re a good lawyer, mi hijo,” she said as she eased back into her chair, and pride surged through me at her confidence in me. “But I still don’t want you in debt. You made it through college and law school without it. I won’t have you ruining your life for me.”

“I won’t, mama,” I reassured her with a pat on her shoulder.

I couldn’t look her in the eyes, so I continued to stand. I had to leave soon, or I was sure I would confess everything, and then she would use what little energy she had to scold me for the lie and for agreeing to work with anyone who was even rumored to be connected to the cartel.

“I’m going to go,” I said when I saw her head bob as she began to fall asleep at the table. “You get some sleep, okay. And I don’t want you worrying about the bills. You just do what the doctor tells you.”

“Fine, fine,” she sighed as she fought back a yawn. “But you better not be lying to me about your finances. I’ve lived a good life, and I won’t be a burden to you.”

She glared up at me, and my chest tightened, but I forced a smile, and then leaned down to give her a quick kiss on the forehead.

“I’m not lying,” I managed to say as I straightened up.

My stomach turned sour again, but I kept the smile on my face.

“Alright,” she said with a nod. “As long as you’re sure. But I don’t want you working yourself to death, either.”

“I won’t,” I promised, though if I crossed Osvaldo Fuentes, my work might turn deadly in ways my mother wasn’t expecting.

My mama grunted as she stood, took my arm, and then leaned on me as she hobbled toward her bedroom. She didn’t bother to change out of her house dress as she slipped between her sheets, and she let out a contented sigh as she settled onto her well worn mattress.

“Sleep well,” I whispered while I tucked her blankets around her like she’d done for me so many times.

She’d already started to fall asleep by the time I made it to the door to her bedroom. I gave her one last look, and then I gathered my briefcase as I headed to my car.

The little bit of dinner I’d had made me sick as I pulled out of the driveway. I’d never lied to my mother about something so big. There had been the little ones when I was younger and found myself in trouble, but it had never been about anything important, certainly not anything that could affect the trajectory of the rest of my life.

I couldn’t let it get to me, I told myself, because she didn’t need the extra stress or worry, especially not while she was in treatment. Familia provided for each other, and if I had to sell a bit of my soul to keep her alive and healthy, then it was worth it. She had never hesitated to help me, and I wouldn’t now when she needed me the most.

My studio apartment was completely dark when I finally unlocked the door and stepped inside. I didn’t even bother with the lights, I just locked the deadbolt, and then dropped my briefcase on the small kitchen counter next to an empty glass I’d used for water.

The worn brown leather couch was a black lump in the darkness of my one room apartment. I managed to avoid it as I stripped down to my boxers and then collapsed onto my soft bed. The sheets and blankets welcomed me as I slid underneath them, though my eyes burned with unshed tears, and all I wanted to do was sleep as I laid my head on my pillow.

Despite the endless thoughts that buzzed through my mind, my body eventually gave in to the need for sleep. I probably would have stayed that way until the late morning hours if I hadn’t been jolted awake by the sound of vicious pounding on my apartment door.

I rubbed my eyes in confusion and then squinted at the bright red numbers of my bedside clock. It was midnight, and all I could imagine as the pounding started again was that some drunken friend of one of my neighbors had gone to the wrong apartment. I shook my head, determined to go back to sleep and ignore whatever crazy person was on the other side of my door.

“Open the door,” Alvaro’s soft, deep voice called out right before the door began to shake under another barrage of knocks.

Chapter 6

“I’m coming,” I called as I threw my blankets back.

The sound of Alvaro’s soft, threatening voice was enough to chase the rest of my tiredness away. He banged on the door again, and I hoped that my neighbors wouldn’t call the police before I could find out what brought the giant man to my door at midnight.

“Took you long enough,” the dark-haired man huffed when I answered.

“Sorry,” I mumbled as I fought back a yawn. “I was sleeping.”

“No excuse,” the intimidating man warned.

He was so tall that he had