Page 182 of When Lies Unfold

“Apparently, they found long dark hair caught in the hinge of the door leadin’ to it.”

His eyebrows rise. “No shit?”

“No shit.”

I grimace ’cause the next part doesn’t incite any hope. “Only thing is, the other end of that tunnel remained locked up tight. No signs of anybody breachin’ it in an escape.”

Brackets form around his mouth, mirrorin’ my frustration. “Fuck.”

I let out a sigh. “Yeah.”

His large palm lands on my shoulder. “Gonna call it a night. You should do the same.”

I offer a silent nod, but we both know I won’t. The jungle’s the closest reminder of Lola. Gonna stay put for a while longer.

Gordo hesitates before excusin’ himself, leavin’ me to my thoughts once again. It isn’t long before I catch the sound of small footsteps approachin’ rapidly.

An urgent-soundin’ “Daddy!” greets me, and I turn, catchin’ Alma in the nick of time as she launches herself at me.

I hoist her up, and she squeezes me tightly, buryin’ her face in my neck. The sensation of dampness from her tears has my gut twistin’ into a vicious knot.

“I had a bad dream.”

I smooth a hand over her back. “Nothin’ to be afraid of. The bad man’s dead, remember?”

“I know.” She sniffles but stays silent for a while, lettin’ me hold her. Finally, she whispers, “Daddy, I miss Lola.”

My eyes fall closed. “Me, too, baby.” The inside of my throat feels like it’s coated with sandpaper. “Me, too.”

85

SANTIAGO

TEN MONTHS AFTER LOLA’S DISAPPEARANCE

“Uh, boss?” Gordo’s announcement has me tearin’ my focus off the profits spreadsheet. “Got a visitor askin’ to see you.”

I squint at him, wonderin’ who the hell he’s referrin’ to when an impatient female voice carries down the hall.

“I get it, I get it. You’re super masculine and dangerous, but all I want is to talk with your fearless leader, okay?”

I massage my temples as the woman’s voice draws closer.

“You’ve already searched me and confirmed there’s no shiv up my ass, and we’ve been through this song and dance before, so I’m just going to find him myself.” The footsteps draw to a stop, and when Gordo steps aside, the woman appears in my doorway.

Expellin’ a weary breath, I greet her. “Hola, Sabrina.”

“Hola.” She tosses her hands in the air, her tone exasperated. “That’s what you say? Hola?” She plops down in one of the chairs. “Any updates?”

I can’t bear to say it, so I shake my head. The way she physically appears to deflate kills me. ’Cause I feel the same way.

“Boss?” Gordo’s voice booms from down the hall. “Incomin’.”

The fuck? I barely have a second to wonder what the hell he’s talkin’ about when two men stroll into my office.

I narrow my eyes on the one who’s never before had the cojones to step foot in my home. Sure, he’s stopped me when I’ve driven through the village and asked. But he’s never been desperate or ballsy enough to come here.

Stubbornly, I address the other man first. “Nice to see you, Esteban.”

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