Hailey's Truth (31 page)

The room grew loud with chatter.

Donte stood. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said, and everyone went silent. “It is with great honor I am able to stand before you today. I would like to offer each person here, and the families that have already left for the day, the assistance necessary to fix your homes ravaged by the hurricane many months ago.”

Wild applause broke out.

He smiled and raised a hand for quiet. “Aide has been slow coming to Cozumel. I’ve spent the day touring the more rural areas of our great island. I see that this issue can no longer wait, can no longer be ignored. I have construction crews traveling this way as we speak. Funds will be released tomorrow morning to begin work on your homes. If you have experience as manual laborers, please tell my friends at Project Mexico as they help you fill out your papers. I will guarantee pay for those of you who lend a hand, as well as new homes for each and every one of you by month’s end.”

Community members rushed forward, crowding Donte with offers of thanks. His bodyguards struggled to keep people back.

Austin exchanged another look with Jackson. If they didn’t help, someone was bound to get hurt, or worse. Donte’s men were used to shooting first and sorting out the details later. “Let’s get these people out of here before we need body bags.”

Austin moved in, inching his way to Hailey.

Donte spoke close to Hailey’s ear, his arm around her waist. She beamed at him and kissed his cheek.

Austin clenched his fists, tempted to knock Donte out right here. Stepping closer, he heard Hailey’s voice above the din.

“We’re all so grateful to you, Donte. I don’t know how we can possibly thank you.”

“Have dinner with me.”

She shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t.”

“Then sit with me at the parade this afternoon.”

“You’re going to the grade school?”

“I’m a huge supporter of education. Be my guest of honor.”

She laughed. “Now that I can do.”

“Then I am a happy man.” Through the small crowd, Donte’s gaze locked on Austin’s, lingering, challenging.

Austin fought hard not to rush forward and grab Hailey from Donte’s hold. That wouldn’t be the way to handle this.

Mateo opened the door; Jeremy stood next to him. “Attention,” Mateo said in Spanish. “Please pick up a basket of fresh food and water after you’ve completed your paperwork inside.”

Those that had finished rushed through the door. Austin followed as some of the Project Mexico participants left to help. He couldn’t stand to listen to the bullshit a moment longer.

Two hours later, the vans pulled up to the small primary-secondary school in the center of town. Colorful banners blew in the island winds, welcoming the members of Project Mexico as well as Senor Rodriguez.

Austin suppressed an eye roll, just barely, as he exited the passenger side.

“I’ll do a quick sweep,” Jackson said, stepping from the other vehicle, walking the perimeter of the white building equipped with barred windows.

Austin stayed between the two vans, tense, waiting for the “all clear” in his earpiece—a practice that had become necessary as the violence erupting on the island continued to increase. Drive-bys were common; the death count was rising in this once-peaceful vacation spot.

“Looks good,” Jackson said. “But I haven’t seen King Donte pull up in his limo.”

Austin grinned. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll be here before long. He’ll want to make a grand entrance, so it’ll be a few minutes yet.”

“What a douche bag,” Jackson scoffed.

Austin smiled. “Copy that.” He popped his head in the vans. “Okay guys, all clear. Let’s get inside.”

Everyone filed out and into the front entrance of the school. As the group wandered to the gym, cheers and applause broke out.

“Welcome, Project Mexico.” The man at the small podium smiled, waving a hand. “Come in, my friends, and meet the children of our wonderful school.”

More raucous applause followed from the surprisingly large group ranging from tiny tot to high schooler.

“The students look forward to the week you will spend with us. We would like to share our appreciation by entertaining you, we hope,” the principal winked, “with a few surprises from the children.”

Everyone from Project Mexico clapped for the kids.

“If you would kindly follow your guides to our play yard, we would like to get started.” Fourteen children stood from the floor, walked forward, and took a hand of each member of the group.

Austin grinned when a tiny little thing with big dark eyes clutched his fingers. She couldn’t have been more than five or six, he guessed. “Welcome to our school, Señor,” she said, struggling with her English in an impossibly small voice.

“Thank you for having us,” he replied in Spanish.

Her eyes widened and she smiled. “You speak Spanish,” she said, reverting back to her native tongue.

“Yes.” His heart all but melted. “What’s your name?”

“Anna.”

“I can’t wait to see the show today, Anna.”

She smiled again as she led him to the playground.

Small fabric squares on pavement awaited each guest. “Please, take your seat, Señor,” she gestured grandly, “although you are very big. Do you think you will fit?”

He chuckled. “I think so. Anna, do you see the woman in the purple shirt?”

“Yes, Señor.”

“Could you tell your friend to have her sit in the square next to mine? She’s very pretty.”

Anna giggled. “I will be right back, Señor.”

A loud round of applause erupted in the gym. That could only mean one thing. “I think the man of the hour arrived,” Austin said into his earpiece. “Let the curtsies begin.”

Jackson chuckled in his ear.

Austin breathed deep as three black-suited men stepped outside. Donte followed behind moments later.

Before Anna could make her way to Hailey’s side, Donte moved in and took her hand. Unlike everyone else, Donte rated a chair, or had insisted on one, was probably more like it. Hailey sat in the seat he gestured to, next to his.

Anna turned and met Austin’s gaze. Sheer distress paled her pretty little face. Austin gave her a grin he didn’t feel, a casual shrug. Anna smiled in what could only be relief as she waved and hurried back into the gym.

Jen plopped down next to him. Austin was instantly surrounded by a hint of perfume that fit its owner well—expensive and subtle sex. “Whew, what a day. I’m exhausted.”

Austin glanced at Hailey as she laughed at something Donte said. He wanted her here, next to him. Instead, he focused his attention on Jen’s pretty blue eyes and corn-silk-blonde hair. “It’s been a long one.”

“The children are so cute, so well-mannered.” She smiled.

“Yeah, they are.” He smiled back as he thought of sweet little Anna.

“I’m looking forward to spending the week here. I was going to be a teacher, but I changed my mind. Sometimes I think I made a mistake.”

“Oh, I don’t know. You’re pretty great at—“

“They are coming!” An older man ran up to the chain link fence separating the schoolyard from the main road. “They are coming,” he shouted urgently in broken English “They come for all of you. It is here. The war is here.”

Austin shot to his feet. “Jackson, let’s get everyone back—“

Three cars screeched to a stop inches from the fence. Before Austin said another word, all hell broke loose. Project Mexico participants screamed, sprinting for the shelter of the gym amongst the spray of machinegun fire.

The man who had shouted their warning lay bleeding, dead.

Austin’s first instinct was to run for Hailey, but Jen stood, gaping, as bullets hit the blacktop around them. “Get down, Jen!” Yanking her to the ground, he rolled with her behind the large metal structure, part of the playground, close to the gym doors.

“Everyone’s inside,” Jackson’s breathy voice buzzed in his ear. “Wait. Hold that. Fuck. Where’s Jen?”

“I have Jen.”

“What about Hailey? Do you have Hailey?”

Cold fear clutched Austin’s stomach. “You don’t have Hailey? Stay here,” he shouted to Jen. Bullets were still hitting the pavement but all he thought of was finding Hailey. Where the hell was she?

As abruptly as the chaos had started, it stopped. The cars squealed off, leaving the stench of rubber in their wake. Half of Donte’s men took chase. The other half remained flocked around the man himself, standing guard at the cement wall sectioning the bathrooms from the play yard.

“Hailey!” Austin shoved as close as the dozen men would allow him. He watched, heart pounding, as the guards moved. Hailey lay on the ground, safe, shielded by Donte.

Austin’s relief was so huge, he could only be grateful, until Donte skimmed his fingers over Hailey’s cheek, until he remembered they were in this situation because of the Zulas leader in the first place.

“Is everyone okay? Did anyone get hurt?” Hailey glanced around, shell-shocked.

Donte still lay on Hailey, still stroking her skin with the familiarity of a lover. “You’re safe.”

Hailey struggled to her elbows. “What about the children? What about Austin?” She scrambled to her feet. “Austin.” She shoved through the wall of bodyguards, rushed into his arms, shaking. “Austin. Oh, you’re safe. You’re safe.”

He held her against him, pressed her cheek to his chest, relieved, not only that Hailey was out of harm’s way, but that she seemed unaffected by Donte’s touch. “I’m okay.” He drew her back. “Are you?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’m good.” Her gaze wandered to the small crowd of teachers and community members surrounding the man by the chainlink fence. “That man. That poor man. Will he be okay?”

Austin said nothing and sorrow filled her eyes. He pressed Hailey’s forehead to his chest, played his fingers through her hair, struggling to concentrate on his job. “We need to get inside, get you all back in the vans and get out of here. Jackson, let’s load everyone—”

“Mr. Casey, perhaps you should take more care.” Donte stopped in front of Austin, eyes blazing.

He didn’t have time for anything this fucker had to say. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“While I was protecting your woman, you were protecting another.” He gestured to Jen, who was still huddled by the playground equipment, crying hysterically as Jackson helped her to her feet and brought her inside.

“Oh, it’s okay Donte,” Hailey turned away from Austin and laid a hand on Donte’s shoulder. “We’re all safe.” Her gaze darted to the dead man as she clutched an arm around Austin’s waist.

“No, quite frankly, Hailey, it was not okay.” Donte took her chin in his hand. “You are a precious soul who deserves to
always
be first.
Never
second. Your man chose another instead of choosing you.” Donte’s ruthless stare bore into Austin. “You do not deserve what you have, Mr. Casey. If you will excuse me.” Donte left for his limo.

Chapter 20

H
OURS LATER, DONTE’S WORDS STILL burned Austin’s ass. Fists bunched, simmering, he stared through beachfront doors at the waves crashing on the shore. Hailey was first in his life and always would be. Did she know that? Did Donte’s comments bother her as much as they did him?

Unable to put it away, Austin rushed down the hall. He spotted Hailey playing cards with Mia and Charles in the crowded living room, took her hand, and pulled her up. Conversation stopped as all eyes wandered to them.

“Austin, I’m in the middle of a game.”

“You can finish later.” He all but dragged her through his bedroom and into the bathroom, shut the door, and locked it. “You’re first, Hailey.” He paced the large space.

“Huh?”

“I couldn’t leave her standing there, staring, while bullets landed at her feet.”

“Austin, I—“

He grabbed her arms, stared into her eyes. “I love you.”

“Austin, I know that. Is this about Donte? About what he said?”

“Yes,” he bit off.

She wrapped her hands around his wrists. “He was wrong. Donte was absolutely wrong. He and his men whisked me away so quickly; I had no idea what was going on. Then it was over.”

“It should’ve been me.” At the heart of it, that’s what bothered him most. “I should’ve kept you safe.”

“You did your job, Austin. You saved Jen’s life today. One person died, but one lived. She’s here because of you.”

That did little to soothe him. He grunted.

“What would we’ve told Jen’s parents if you had come running after me? I was well-protected. She wasn’t. You did exactly the right thing, Austin. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if she had died because of me.”

He stared into Hailey’s eyes, knowing she made perfect sense, but he wasn’t ready to drop it. “I don’t like him, Hailey.” He spun away. “Donte’s bad news.”

“You’re angry with the situation in general.”

“No, I’m not. Yes, I am,” Austin corrected, squeezing his fingers against the tension at the base of his neck. “But there’s more to it.”

“He can’t be all bad. You were at the office today. You saw what he offered to do. He’s going to rebuild all of those homes. He donated the baskets of food and water, and those will feed families for days. Despite how you feel, Donte does good things. I can only be grateful.”

“I don’t want you to be grateful,” he tossed back, frustration seething in every word. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her Donte was the reason for the shooting at the school, that they were gunning for him because he was head of the fucking Mexican Mafia. Instead, he fumed in silence. “I want you to stay away from him.”

“Why? Austin, I think—“

He whirled again. “I want you to stay away from him,” he repeated, meeting Hailey’s gaze, staring at the questions, the confusion in her eyes. “This isn’t caveman, macho shit, Hailey. There’s more to him than you think.”

Her brow winged up and she crossed her arms. “Such as?”