Relief that he was well enough to play games. But soon my relief gave way to anger, because I had been worried about him. “So you were pretending,” I said aloud. “Pretending I’m half dead? No. But I wanted them gone so I can talk with you alone.” “About Beatriz?” Your mother is all right, he had told Matt before dismissing him. Maybe Beatriz was badly hurt and Bécquer had not wanted to tell Matt. Bécquer stalled. “Beatriz? What about her?” “Did you ki — hurt her?” “No. We talked. Then she left.” “You let her go?” I asked in disbelief. “I didn’t let her. She didn’t ask my permission.” “You could have forced her to stay.” “Force her? Beatriz is immortal, Carla. Probably stronger than I am right now. And she had Ryan. How on earth would I do that?” I said nothing. I could see his point. Yet I was still upset that Beatriz was free. Bécquer bent toward me. “Why are you so difficult to please? I promised you I’d get your son back. And I did.
