The Assassin's Blood: The Confradia Assassins 3

Chapter 26: In deep

Santana

"Hey, sis, where's Declan?" Connor asks the moment I step through the office door. I shake my head and take a seat in one of the comfortable cushioned chairs. "I don't know. What's up?" Connor shrugs. "Just getting some things settled. Did you eat?" I nod my head. "Yeah, I ate." Connor smiles in contentment and goes back to his computer. The kid is one-track-minded for sure. Rising from the chair, I pace around the room and turn back to him. "So, I was thinking. We still have a few dollars in the savings account and Alma's ring. Since there's nothing left here for us, I thought maybe we can start over again somewhere else."

Connor's brows quirks with surprise. "What do you mean?" I take a deep breath before I reply. "I mean, maybe we can take a bus somewhere and find a new town to live in. My old high school friend, Daya's a physical therapist at a small clinic in San Diego. She's been begging me to move there. She even offered to help me find a job and let us stay with her until we can find a small place to live in. What do you think?" Connor scowls with consternation. "What about school?" I shrug. "You only have a week before you graduate, and I can always transfer my credits to another school. Can't you see Connor? This is our push. Nothing is keeping us here. What do we have to lose?"

Connor shakes his head thoughtfully before he replies. "I guess it's not a bad idea." I nod my head with enthusiasm. "It'll be great, Con." Connor dimly smiles at my words. I know that he's unsure of my plan. Mostly because of Declan. My brother is an eternal optimist, and in his head, he feels Declan might change his mind. However, I'm not as optimistic. Declan's decision is resolute, which means, we're on our own once the Perroni issue is resolved. I can't afford to make any decisions based on emotions. I have to be smart about it, and it begins with taking back our lives. "Okay, I'm going to give Daya a call now." Connor swallows hard and nods. "Okay, yeah. Let me know if you need me to take care of anything."

Once I get back to my room, I make the call. I haven't spoken to Daya in a while, but I'm not worried. Even though our communication is sporadic, we still manage to pick up where we left off. Right now, she's interning at a clinic to be a physical therapist. We've been tight since kindergarten. She moved to San Diego after high school graduation, which was a very sad time for me because I was taking care of Connor, and I couldn't leave him behind. And even though our lives have taken different turns, she's always been there for me.

She picks up on the first ring. "Santana, is that you? You better be calling me because you're coming my way." I smile at her lighthearted tone. "Yeah, it's me, sweetie, and yes, I am calling because I've decided it's time for a change." Her squeal of excitement radiates through the speaker. "Oh my gosh! I'm so excited! When are you coming?" I gaze back at the bedroom door and take a deep breath before I respond. Am I really doing this?" "Well, if your offer to help me find a job and let me and Connor stay with you is open, I can leave within the next few days?" She shrieks again. "Of course, you can stay with me. I'll talk to my boss right now. He's been looking for a receptionist, and you'll be perfect for it." I frown at her enthusiastic words. "Are you sure, Daya? I don't want to inconvenience you." Daya scoffs. "Of course, I'm sure. You and Connor were always there for me when I needed you. I'll never forget all the times you two let me stay with you when my dad came home on his drunken rages. You are always welcome here, girl. And my boss is a sweetheart. All you need to do is get over here as soon as you can."

Tears blur my eyes at her generous invitation, which makes it easier for me to accept. "Okay, I'll check the bus schedule and text you as soon as I get things settled here." Daya giggles excitedly. "I can't wait!" We continue to talk for a few minutes and reminisce.

I tell her about Perroni and Declan, which makes her crow with curiosity, but I don't tell her about last night. She even promises to hold the job until I get everything settled with Perroni. Once we're done talking, I disconnect the call and sit back on the bed. Feeling a little less burdened, I begin to plan Connor and my future. Maybe this is the best thing to do.

I'm scrolling through the bus schedule when I hear a knock on the bedroom door. Rising from my perch, I approach the door and open it. It's Connor. "Hey, San. Declan called me a few seconds ago. He wants us to meet him downstairs."

"Okay," I mutter curiously. "Let's go." Connor takes my hand and leads me down the stairs. As soon as we get there, we see Declan and an attractive older woman sitting in the living room. The woman's face lights up with a warm smile as soon as she sees us. Declan wraps a hand around her waist and leads her to us. "Connor, Santana, this is my mother, Sarah. Mom, this is my brother Connor and his sister Santana." Sarah's smile widens as she runs her gaze over Connor. "Oh my God, he looks just like you, Declan. It's so wonderful to meet you." Before Connor can say a word, she steps forward and embraces him. Connor's eyes widen as he awkwardly pats her back. It would be almost funny if it didn't make me think about how much better he would have been if his mother had been as caring as Declan's seems to be. Once she releases Connor, she wraps her arms around me too. My throat clogs with emotion. It has been so long since anyone other than Connor lovingly embraced me.

"It's nice to meet you, Sarah," I mumble shyly. Declan rolls his eyes and pulls his mother away from me with a snicker. "Okay, mom, give her some space." Sarah slaps his arms with a flush. "Oh, you, stop embarrassing your mother. Now, let me get a good look at both of you." Connor and I both stand side by side with flustered frowns as Declan's mother appraises us. Her face brightens with admiration. "Oh, Santana, Declan told me that you've been raising Connor since he was a boy. You're such a strong girl─ and so beautiful." She utters with a knowing look in Declan's direction. Declan ignores her and Connor snickers.

Mortified, I nod my head and wrap an arm around Connor's forearm. "Yeah, it's been quite the adventure raising this little troublemaker, but I'm sure you know how difficult it is to raise a boy?" Sarah nods enthusiastically as she takes my hand and leads me to the couch. "Oh, yes, I do. Declan was a holy terror when he was a boy. He told me that you recently lost your employment and home. I'm so sorry to hear that." I shrug my shoulders with discomfort. "We'll be okay. We're both survivors." She pats my hand with empathy. "Well, I'd love to help you any way I can. That's why I'm here. Perhaps you and Connor can stay with me until you both get back on your feet." My eyes widen at her generosity.

Looking at an astonished Connor, I turn back to her and give her a grateful smile. "That's very kind of you, Sarah, but Connor and I won't be staying in town long." Declan stiffens. "What do you mean you won't be staying in town long?" Connor clears his throat and signals for me to continue. "What I mean is that Connor and I agreed that it's time to move out of town. I have a friend who's willing to help us get back on our feet, and we're going to take her up on her offer." Declan's lips tighten with an untold emotion. "What about Perroni?" I shrug in reply. "I'm sure he's got better things to do than deal with us. I figure we can give the police all of the information Connor gathered on him and let them handle it. There's really nothing else for us here, and it's a great opportunity for us to start over again."

Sarah gives Declan an imperceptible look before she turns back to us. "Well, that sounds lovely, dear. I can understand why you want to start somewhere fresh. However, the offer still stands if you need it. In the meantime, I brought you a few things to wear. I wasn't sure of your size, because Declan told me you were small, so I guessed. Anyway, I hope it fits." She picks up a bag from the floor and hands it to me. Inside, there are two simple dresses, a pair of jeans, t-shirts and black flats. I look up to meet her kind eyes and feel like crying. No one has ever done anything this nice for me─other than Connor, that is. Swallowing down my tears, I lean close and manage to croak out. "Thank you, Sarah. It was very kind of you to do this for me. I'll pay you back as soon as I get some money." Lidya shakes her head. "Oh, no, honey, it's fine. Consider it a gift." I open my mouth to argue, but Connor elbows my arm with a shake of his head. He doesn't want me to argue, so I don't.

Sarah rises from her seat with an airy laugh and hands me a card. "Either way, I'm glad we met. And even though you feel there's nothing here for you, we're here if you need us. This is my number in case you ever need it." I take the card and look at the number, then gaze back at her. "Thanks again, Sarah."

She shrugs and gazes back at Connor with a gentle smile. "You look so much like my Declan at your age. Take care of your sister and yourself, okay?" Connor nods softly. "I will, Ms... Sarah." Sarah snorts. "It's just Sarah." She mutters amused. "Well, I better go now. I've been on vacation for a few weeks, and I'm sure Declan has some work to take care of. It was a pleasure meeting both of you." Declan gives her a tight nod. "Okay, mom." Connor and I both embrace her. This time it's a bit less awkward. It's actually pretty nice.

With that said, Declan leads her out the door and takes her home. "Declan's mom's nice," Connor mutters kindly. I can tell by the expression on his face that he's amazed by her kindness, considering his own mother wasn't anywhere near as nurturing as Sarah seems to be. If only Declan knew how fortunate he is. His mother seems to care a great deal about him, yet he rejects his only brother. I guess he's more like Alistair than I thought. Leaning my head against Connors' shoulder, I pat his stomach and reply. "Yeah, she is."

Connor leans close and whispers. "So we're leaving, huh?" I nod. "Yeah, it's all set up. I called your school, told them we were having problems, and the principal agreed to send you your diploma by mail. Thankfully, you took your finals last week, or we'd be in trouble. I also informed my school about my transfer. Everything is settled. Daya said she'd be waiting for our arrival. There's a bus that leaves tomorrow night at eight. We just need to buy our tickets, pack up, and go." His face is passive as he listens to my plan. "It'll be cool to see Dayanara again. We can buy the tickets tomorrow with cash. It's better if we don't leave a paper trail."

Once they're gone, I head to my room and plan. It's time to move on. Too bad that my heart aches at the prospect.