Page 90 of V-Day

“I think that was the point,” Calli said. “We used to sit on the little balcony at the big house in Acapulco, watch the sea and worry about you and Duardo and the others…I think Minnie meant for us to never forget it.”

Nick let out a breath. “It makes me think of how it all began. It underlines just how far we’ve come in five years and all of it has come about because one man is directing a tiny group of people. Serrano was sowrongabout everything.”

“Serrano wasn’t humble enough,” Calli said. “Although you have your share of arrogance,el leopardo.”

Nick laughed. “Not nearly as much as I used to. That’s what the war taught me. It’s not about power, in the end. It’s about people.” He turned her and put both arms around her. “And it started with you.”

“If that’s an oblique reminder that I started the war, Escobedo, then you’re ruining your chances of sleeping in my bed tonight.”

Nick smiled. “I wasn’t even thinking about the war. I was thinking about all the changes which have happened—to me, and in me. They’regoodchanges and none of them would have happened if you hadn’t got yourself arrested the night of the Festival.” He touched his lips to hers, lightly. “Although, if you want to feel responsible about something, then consider this. If you had not dashed to Vistaria to help your uncle keep Minnie company, then every single person standing in Duardo’s lounge room tonight would not be here.”

Calli considered it. “Minnie wouldn’t have met Duardo. Daniel wouldn’t have been at the Whitesands with Olivia. Garret wouldn’t have been helping the rebels, so Carmen wouldn’t have met him. Adán wouldn’t have come back to Vistaria to help and run into Parris, so he would have gone on alone. Chloe wouldn’t have come here to find Cristián because he went silent…” She shivered. “Oh lord, I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

“All your fault,” Nick whispered. “Thank God.”