Page 124 of When Lies Unfold

“Sorry,” she mumbles.

I trail my fingertips along the bottom of her feet, and she squeals. With her eyes on mine, I keep my tone calm and easy. “You gonna keep talkin’?” At her nod, I give her foot a little squeeze. “Good. ’Cause I missed hearin’ your voice.”

Her shy smile causes my throat to tighten, and I clear it quickly. “It’s time for you to get dressed for the day.”

She perks up. “Ooh, today I get to do a science experiment. Gotta go!” She smacks a kiss to my cheek and then to Lola’s before rushin’ off and slammin’ the door behind her.

Appearin’ a little dazed, Lola stares at the closed door. “Wow.”

“Yeah.” With an amused grunt, I rearrange the pillows behind my head. “My girl definitely warrants a wow.”

Lola faces me, head tipped to the side. Curiosity colors her voice when she asks, “How did you…” She trails off, unsure how to phrase her question.

“How’d I find her?” At her nod, I rake a hand through my hair. Tension’s already buildin’ inside me as I think back on how I stumbled upon Alma. “It was two years ago…”

TWO YEARS EARLIER

Conte, Costa Rica

Approximately one hour from the Costa Rica-Panama border

“You dare cross into my territory, sellin’ this shit?”

With my gun trained on the motherfucker who dared to peddle Hidalgo’s shit on my turf, my trigger finger grows itchy as fuck.

A trace of white powder still lingers beneath his nostrils. With bloodshot eyes and his pupils dilated, it’s clear that he’s not only sellin’ but also samplin’ the goods regularly.

His naturally dark skin pales as he stutters a repeated lame-ass apology, but it cuts off when I pistol-whip him.

“You knew exactly what you were doin’—and whose toes you were steppin’ on.” When I press the gun’s muzzle against his forehead, just like clockwork, he starts cryin’ and whimperin’, prayin’ to God. But he should know better.

In our world, there’s no mercy for bastards like him.

A smirk tugs at my lips. “It’s time to meet this God you speak of.”

I pull the trigger and his brains decorate the wall behind him. Still restrained, his body remains sprawled in a lifeless heap in the chair.

I don’t pay any attention to the woman a few feet away, her body slumped on the couch, lips blue. She’d already OD’d by the time we arrived.

Bein’ a cartel leader, I’m in the minority ’cause I don’t sample what I sell. I’ve never once touched drugs. I grew up around that shit and saw the lives it destroyed.

It’s why I had to claw my way outta poverty and make somethin’ of myself.

Stoic as always, my men silently await my next command. I meet the gaze of every one of ’em before drivin’ my point home.

“Let this be a reminder that no one pulls shit like this in my territory. Understood?”

“Understood,” comes their collective response.

Holsterin’ my weapon, I flick the hem of my suit jacket back in place to disguise it. “Let’s go. I’ve got another meetin’ to attend.”

I turn toward the door when I catch a flash of movement in my periphery. My gun is instantly in my hand, trained on the doorway my men swore was clear when we arrived.

Gordo nods silently before givin’ a hand signal to my other men. With my men flankin’ me, I lead our nearly soundless approach to the open door at the end of the hallway.

Gordo complains all the damn time that I need to be behind my men, but I don’t give a shit. I should be willin’ to run headfirst into whatever situation I’m preparin’ to send my men into. I refuse to be a weak, spineless excuse of a leader.

The instant the toe of my shoe crosses the threshold of the room, a ball rolls directly past it. Instincts tell me there’s no threat in this room, and while they’ve never led me wrong before, an odd edginess sets in, the muscles in the back of my neck goin’ painfully tight.

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