Miss Bala

Chapter 5: Old bones

"There is nothing in this house. These boys ate up everything already,"Gemma scolded, closing the fridge door, "I'm going to run to the market real quick."

"You're not going alone, are you?" I asked, looking up from the desk computer in the living room. Lino was upstairs taking a shower. Alex and Alvarez are staked out in the front while Ortiz and Carlos patrol the back. A few more guys I didn't know are also on guard around the house. Chivo and Tucán were unloading the shipment we picked up yesterday into the guest house.

"No, you're coming with. Keep me company." She grabbed her purse and car keys, "let's go."

Heading out the door, Chivo stopped us, "Woah, where you two going?"

"Pick up a few things."

"Take Alex with you. Local police is on a payroll now but still be on the look out for anything. You carrying, Gemma?" Obviously he meant a gun. I looked at her as she smiled, adoring the safety concerns they had for her.

"I always do, sweetheart." She kisses his cheek, and moved him aside.

"I'll let Lino know, in case he worries." he told me, holding the door after me.

"Thanks."
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"Can I ask you a question?" Gemma asked, adding another item from the shelf to her cart.

"What's that?"

"I'm just trying to figure out what's going on," she stopped and looked at me, "You and Lino are obviously connected. There was still a hint of doubt from you though, when I assumed the other morning, but you still didn't correct me."

"Honestly? I don't know what we are." I told her truthfully.

"Thats what concerns me." We kept on walking down the food isle, "You're clearly not one of the them girls that they picked up to make money on."

"Well, I'm glad that's clear."

"So what happens next?" She questioned.

"I don't know." I answered, while spotting someone looking away too quickly after I caught them staring intentionally.

"You become his girlfriend?" She pushed further, "How does that look? Hollywood makeup artist turned outlaw."

"Okay, I get it."

"This isn't me being some overbearing bitch. I still care about you, sweetheart. But this is coming from someone telling you the truth."

"What truth is that?" I asked, still keeping a close eye on the lady who was staring. I almost didn't notice Gemma stopped the cart again.

"One of you needs to start thinking clearly and figure your shit out, before both of you get hurt."

"Well it wouldn't be my first bad idea. It seems to follow me wherever I go." I said, and I couldn't help but let my eyes get a little watery. Isabel. Suzu. My dad...
She has this look of sympathy for me, I was confused on what to do and it showed to her. She placed a hand on my back and said, "You know.. you are smarter and more strong-willed than anyone I've ever met." I wouldn't be surprised if she already knew how I got here in the first place, "You need to shine some of that on this thing with Lino."

I nodded, wiping underneath my eyes. I felt comfortable enough to get vulnerable around Gemma and maybe even Adriana.
We collected a few more things before waiting in line. There was only one register open at the moment and a few people ahead of us. I had totally forgot about Alex waiting outside for us.

"Gemma?" A voice behind us was heard. We both turned around and I immediately recognized her as the same lady who was eyeballing us earlier.

"Irene." Judging by Gemma's face, she didn't like her so much, "back in town already?"