Chapter 5
"Could it be possible that Juan can solve the problem that I've been trying to accomplish for years?" Diego asked no one in particular, though Francisco raised his head and smiled grimly.
"I plan to help him if I can," Francisco squeezed Victoria's hand.
"Swift justice for de Soto will not come soon enough," Diego brushed his fingers across his lady's forehead.
"You should have just killed him and been done with it," Francisco growled.
Diego shook his head. "And then I would be no better than him. There are many things worth dying for," Diego lifted Victoria's hand and pressed it to his lips, "but I have yet found a cause worth killing for. Although every day I see her lying here, I am sorely tempted."
Mendoza listened to de Soto's instructions with a frown growing on his normally cheerful face. He wasn't sure if he could lie. Not now. Not with the lovely tavern owner lying unconscious, and possibly dying, from a wound inflicted on her by the alcalde.
The Sergeant wasn't the only one staring at their commander with a skeptical eye. Even Corporal Sepulveda fidgeted uncomfortably as de Soto issued his instructions – and his threats.
But Mendoza knew that every lancer would obey the alcalde, as they always had. They were too afraid of him, and of the punishment for disobeying a direct order, to do anything else.
As de Soto looked at each man, forcing every one of them to voice their support, Mendoza did so, albeit quietly. He felt a growing disgust for his commander, and wished he had the courage to oppose him.
As consciousness slowly returned, she tried to move muscles not used in a very long time. She ached everywhere and simply longed to slip back into that blissful peacefulness of her dreams – dreams that always consisted of a very content life with a handsome husband and many children. She was tucked beneath warm covers, lying comfortably in an amazingly plush bed and she could hear a soft, baritone voice echoing somewhere above her.
She called out and in her mind's eye she could see her lips move but could hear no sound. With effort, she opened one eye and then the other. Her breath caught when she noticed the haggard form of the man sitting beside her. Her eyes fell to his hands, entwined with hers. Only at that moment, did she realize he was holding her hand, gently brushing his fingers in slow circles around her wrist.
Diego's eyes widened when he noticed her watching him. "Victoria!" He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them almost desperately.
"D – Diego?" She squeaked. Her voice was weak and her throat dry.
He reluctantly tore his hand from hers and poured water out of a carafe and into a nearby glass. "Here, drink slowly." He sat next to her on the bed and slid an arm beneath her shoulders. As soon as he tipped the glass to her lips, she eagerly swallowed as much of the water as he would allow. "Not too much."
"What – what happened?" she asked, her eyes slowly scanning the room.
Diego looked dismayed. "You – you don't remember?"
She stared at their joined hands and then gasped softly as the events leading to how she had been shot rushed into her mind.
"Zorro –" she mouthed, her voice barely audible.
"– will never let you take another shot for him again," Diego answered, bending to press his lips to her forehead.
She quickly arched her neck and his lips slid to her cheek. With some effort, since she hadn't used her muscles in over a week, she lifted her head and weakly brushed her lips against his.
The all too brief contact made her lips tingle and her eyes searched his carefully for any sign the kiss had had a similar effect on him.
Before she could say another word, large, gentle hands cupped her cheeks and lifted her lips to his for a much longer, tender, kiss.
A small sound escaped the back of her throat and he pulled away, the smile curling his lips spreading into his eyes. When he rested his forehead against hers, she could feel him shaking. "Dios, Victoria, I thought I'd lost you." He gently gathered her gently into his arms and clung to her.
She weakly wrapped her arms around him, ignoring the pain, and closed her eyes, melting against his solid chest.
"Victoria?" Another male voice came uncertainly from behind Diego. "Victoria!"
"Francisco?" Victoria said wonderingly as Diego released her and stepped back to give her brother room.
Francisco enveloped his sister in a strong, tight, hug, exacting a squeak from the still healing woman. "When? How – how do you feel?"
"Tired, thirsty, hungry." Victoria answered weakly and noticed with a pang of sadness that Diego had stepped away and offered the glass he'd been holding to Francisco. "How long have I been here?"
"Over a week," Diego answered and Francisco immediately sat beside his sister on the bed, nearly blocking Victoria's view of her beloved.
Francisco noticed his sister's eyes follow movement over his shoulder and he immediately pushed himself off her bed suddenly remembering the image of the couple embracing when he'd walked into the room. With a sly grin, he immediately moved to the other side of the bed and took her other hand.
"I'll go tell my father that Victoria has awakened," Diego stood, reaching for her hand and squeezing it gently before turning away.
"Must you go?" Victoria asked, her fingers curling weakly around his.
Diego exchanged a quick glance with Francisco, who simply hid a smile behind his own hand. Diego immediately sank into the chair beside the bed and brought her hand to his lips, gently kissing her fingers. "No."
Victoria's eyes shifted from Diego to her brother and back again, wondering at Diego's blatant display of affection. Diego offered a wry smile and a simple, "He knows," as an explanation which caused Victoria's dark eyes to widen in shock.
"It wasn't so difficult to guess, little sister," Francisco grinned at her surprised expression. "He has refused to leave your side except for when Don Alejandro has forced us to get some rest."
"You'd never guess that you'd had any rest by the looks of you two." The smile with which she regarded the men reached her eyes and she squeezed their hands gratefully. "When did you get here?" she asked Francisco and then said to Diego, "I want to know everything."
Diego grinned and kissed her hand. "You talk with Francisco, I need to see my father."
Both Francisco and Victoria recognized Diego's attempt to stall an explanation that would probably take more time and tire Victoria out more than Diego felt was necessary.
Victoria's gaze followed Diego as he disappeared through the doorway and Francisco couldn't hide his laughter.
"What?" Victoria asked, her voice becoming steadier and stronger by the minute.
"You want to keep that secret of his, you need to be more careful about how you look at him."
Victoria frowned and glared at her brother. Her mind worked quickly for an explanation. "If he has been by my side ever since I was shot, perhaps I have finally realized what a devoted and, " she touched the tip of her tongue to her upper lip and shot him a coy grin, "handsome friend I have."
"Well, you've been blind to that fact, sister mine, for years!"
"Have you finished with your investigation?" de Soto asked, glancing up at Juan Ortíz from his desk.
"One crucial witness is currently unconscious, Alcalde, as you well know, but that will not prevent me from proceeding with my case without her statement." Juan continued to sit on the other side of the desk, writing in his leather bound book.
"You have no case," de Soto said matter-of-factly.
"I beg to differ," Juan said. Statement's he had already gathered had solidified his case quite satisfactorily. "I have an iron-clad case."
De Soto stood. "Then the point of a trial would be? If you are so certain."
"There is no need for a trial."
De Soto's eyes widened.
"I plan to remand you into custody immediately."
"You can't be serious!"
Juan stood and tucked the journal beneath his arm. "I plan to see if Victoria has awakened and then I will return to do my duty. I suggest you pack your things and be ready to leave when I return."
Diego fluffed Victoria's pillows and settled her into a comfortable position as Felipe went to get Juan, who waited impatiently in the library. Diego's heart surged when she leveled a very heated gaze at the man she loved and clutched his hand.
"We must be careful," he reminded and she immediately removed her hand.
"I know," she sighed and Diego leaned back in the chair as Juan Ortiz walked through the sitting room arch.
"Victoria!" Juan bent to embrace her gently and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. "I'm happy to see you awake."
"Is it true?" she asked immediately. Diego and her brother had told her Juan had returned and was in the process of gathering evidence against the alcalde.
Juan shot her a wry smile and cast a chastising glance at Diego, who simply shrugged.
"She has a right to know what was going on. Especially if you intend to take her statement," Diego said, his eyes resting on Victoria's beautiful face perhaps a little longer than was customary.
Before Juan could answer, Francisco returned, an excited smile crossing his face. "My commander read your report, Juan, and is in agreement. You have his support should it be needed."
Victoria and Diego stared at the two men.
"Wonderful," Juan clasped Francisco's hand and pumped it hard. "With luck it won't be, but it is nice to have the backup should de Soto choose to cause trouble."
"But would a statement from me hold up at a trial?" Victoria asked, her eyes bright. "I am rather, biased, after all."
"It matters not. There will be no trial. " Juan answered with a sly grin. "He is going to be escorted back to Spain and what is done with him then, has not yet been decided."
Diego nodded.
"Don Alejandro's letter has already been sent on a military vessel returning to Spain. The King will receive it, as well as Admiral Ramirez's report, indicating that a presumptive stance has already been taken to curb rebellion against this dictatorial alcalde's rule."
"It sounds like you've thought of everything," Victoria smiled at Juan.
"When I heard you'd been shot, I was furious. This alcalde has endangered the safety of the people too many times – all to capture one man. And I'm not entirely convinced that Zorro is the threat de Soto claims he is."
"Well he most certainly is not," Victoria said quickly but one look from Diego prompted her to say nothing more.
"I'm sure Zorro does not need anyone to vouch for him. His actions, I would think, should speak louder than any statement that could be made for or against him," Diego said simply, shrugging his shoulders.
"Indeed." Juan nodded, "My investigation of the alcalde naturally brought about statements on Zorro's behalf. I – believe I have enough fact and corroborating information to recommend a full and complete pardon for the man."
Victoria's eyes widened hopefully and her eyes flicked momentarily toward Diego, who merely smiled. "You're going to pardon him?"
Juan grinned, anticipating her reaction and thrilled that he was able to give her the news in person. "It is a recommendation only. The final decision, of course, rests with the King."
"When do you leave?" Victoria asked quickly, obviously hoping he would get to Spain quickly to deliver his recommendation.
"Our ship sales in two days. But I'm removing him from this pueblo immediately."
"I want to be there when you haul that evil, sad excuse for an alcalde out of the pueblo."
All three men began to protest but one determined look from Victoria silenced them all.
"Well, I need to take your statement. It will be a welcome addition to those I've already collected."
Victoria smiled widely, "What do you need to know?"
The de la Vega carriage rolled into the plaza as de Soto was being escorted into a well-armed military wagon.
Diego assisted Victoria out of the seat and took one arm, while her brother took the other. Both men escorted her a few steps closer to the wagon that would remove Ignacio de Soto from their lives forever.
"Ah, Francisco," Juan gripped the soldier's hand. "I'm glad you're here. I have one last measure of business to finish before we leave." He pulled a rolled parchment from his jacket and extended it toward Victoria's brother.
Francisco released Victoria's arm long enough to unroll the paper and read it. His eyes snapped toward Juan Ortiz, a look of disbelief etched across his young face. "A promotion? Here?"
Juan grinned. "I've done a bit of research of my own and discovered you are the best candidate to replace de Soto. You are suitably qualified. I urge you to accept."
Victoria's eyes widened and Francisco smiled at his sister. He noticed Diego's arms wrapped protectively, securely around his gatita, holding her upright on still shaky legs. He sensed a wedding would be taking place soon and he didn't want to miss a moment of the preparations.
Francisco took Juan's hand and shook it firmly. "Thank you. I appreciate your trust. I've – wanted an appointment closer to home for a long while now."
"Then I entrust the fair governing of this pueblo to you, Francisco Escalante. The paperwork has already been drawn, you have only to sign your acceptance and I will deliver it to the King myself."
Francisco nodded and followed Juan into the alcalde's office to sign the required paperwork. Within minutes, the men returned, amidst a loud applause.
"Congratulations, Alcalde," Juan shook Francisco's hand once more and mounted his stallion.
With a raise of his hand, Juan gave the command to begin their journey. As the wagon passed Victoria and Diego, Ignacio de Soto leaned over the side, his eyes scrutinizing their closeness, his mouth twisted into a furious snarl. His eyes pierced them so deeply, it was as if their very souls – and secrets – were laid bare for him to see. For the first time since they'd arrived, he spoke, his voice laced with unmistakable venom. "I will be back. And when I return, I will end your lives as swiftly as you have ended my career. As long as I live, you will never be safe – either of you."
Diego's arms tightened around Victoria as she trembled and Alejandro drew himself up to his full height – as if his son and his lady needed the older man's protection.
Diego bent and whispered in Victoria's ear. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise"
An overwhelmingly peaceful feeling enveloped Victoria as she leaned against Diego's shoulder. His words and embrace comforted her and she knew that he would die to keep that promise. She closed her eyes and simply relished his closeness, longing for a moment alone with the man she loved.
Juan Ortiz's stallion trotted beside the wagon. "Such threats will not help your case when you go before the King."
The former alcalde of Los Angeles said nothing more, simply glared at Diego and Victoria as the carriage rolled away.
"Finally. It's over." Alejandro breathed.
Diego pressed a gentle kiss to Victoria's temple, afraid it was far too soon to show more than just a simple gesture of affection in public. De Soto's threat worried him, but he would never admit such a thing. As much as Diego wanted to believe this was the last time he would ever see that man, he was certain that their paths would cross again.
The End
A sequel is in the works to this story. Tentatively titled 'Zorro Rides Again.' Synopsis: An enemy from Alejandro's past comes back to haunt his growing family.