Page 183 of When Lies Unfold

The older man dips his chin and ambles over to the second chair beside Sabrina. He gently eases himself into it. “I was out for a walk and ran into Nando. We got to talkin’ and wanted to see if you had any word on Miss Lola.”

I lean back in my chair and cross my arms, my piercin’ glare leveled on the damn cop. “This your idea?”

“I couldn’t say no to Esteban.” Nando shrugs. “After all, I was also interested to know if there was any news.”

Gordo appears outside my office door, and the bastard’s doin’ a shit job of stiflin’ a smile. “Look, boss. Isn’t it great? The gang’s all here.”

My searin’ glare would’ve already sent anybody else runnin’. But not Gordo. The fucker just grins.

With what feels like a throat full of nails, I swallow hard before deliverin’ the same update I’ve received time and again.

“No news.”

That response is enough to wipe the usual animosity from Nando’s features. Esteban’s face falls, and Sabrina wrings her hands in her lap, her expression etched with worry.

Nando leans against the bookshelf, his survey sweepin’ over the few photos I framed.

They’re all from surveillance footage I combed through. One is of Lola and Alma laughin’ together while they were playin’ outside. When I kissed Lola in the kitchen after askin’ her to dinner. One of her and Alma snugglin’ together in her bed when my girl had a nightmare.

If she comes back to me—when she comes back—I’m gonna take as many photos as I can. I don’t wanna have to scrounge for images of my woman ever again.

Sabrina releases a disappointed sound before risin’ from the chair. Her eyes are downcast, sadness creasin’ her face. “I should go.” She lifts her eyes to mine. “Promise to keep me updated.”

I offer a curt nod. “Of course.”

When she strides around my desk, my movements are hesitant as I rise. Sabrina surprises me by huggin’ me tightly. Awkwardly, I pat her back, wonderin’ what the hell brought this on.

She lets out a little laugh against my chest. “Please tell me you don’t suck at giving hugs to Lola like this.”

I scowl at the insult. “Fuck no.”

She rears back and peers up at me with a thoughtful expression. Her words are whispered, meant for only me. “No other man would spend this long looking for her.”

Her eyes grow shiny with tears yet to fall, and she pats my chest with a sad smile. “You really do love her. Wherever she is, I’m certain she knows it.”

Jesus Christ. I’m relieved when she draws away and says goodbye to the others before exitin’ my office.

Esteban slaps his knees before slowly straightenin’ from the chair. He fixes Nando with a polite smile. “Would you mind letting me have a private word with Mr. Hernández?”

Nando casts me a glance, givin’ me the impression he wasn’t prepared for the old man’s request. But all he says is, “Sure,” and strides out.

Esteban studies me for a moment. “You’re a busy man, and yet you’ve entertained my visits and inquiries.”

He tips his head to the side, a small smile playin’ at his lips. “I’ve met a lot of people in my days, and I can tell you this: there’s not a single man I’ve come across who has the determination and love you have for Miss Lola.”

He lightly raps his knuckles against my desk. “Which means there’s no doubt that she’ll make her way back here to you.”

I don’t have it in me to tell him that every month that passes without her, I battle against losin’ hope.

By the time the old man makes his way outta my office, I’m feelin’ frayed as fuck and not in the mood to deal with Nando.

So, of course, he comes waltzin’ back in like he owns the place.

He stops just inside and leans against the doorjamb. I sink into my chair with a grunt. “Say what you’ve gotta say and get it over with.”

He smirks. “Never seen you this grumpy before.”

At my dark glare, he saunters over, returnin’ to the bookshelf with the framed photos. “Always been an arrogant bastard, but this? You’re actin’ like a heartsick fool.”

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