Page 93 of When Lies Unfold

In a silent gesture, he tips his head toward the floor-to-ceilin’ windows overlookin’ the Pacific coastline. We draw to a stop at the wall of glass. Although it’s too dark to see the ocean, countless stars shine bright.

“So, tell me about this woman tonight. Lola, is it?”

Somethin’ about the way he poses this question has my defenses risin’. “What about her?”

When he gives me an impatient look, I grit my teeth with irritation. Returnin’ his focus to the window, he releases a breath as if I’ve somehow disappointed him. “Santy, Santy, Santy… I worry about you.”

“Nothin’ to worry about.”

“Don’t you think the timing of meeting this woman is…” He trails off as he chooses his words. “It seems a bit questionable.”

In his prime, Marcelo’s interacted with other well-known narcos throughout Central and South America and offers insight from it. Doesn’t mean I’m takin’ him on as my lead fuckin’ advisor on how to run shit, however.

I might like the older man, but I sure as hell don’t like havin’ my judgment questioned. My sharp tone says it all. “How so?”

“You’ve been acquiring more of Hidalgo’s contacts and embarking on new business ventures.” He waves a hand, gesturin’ to the closed doors. “And now you’ve embarrassed and turned your back on your flesh and blood.”

I grind my molars, vyin’ for patience. “Get to the point.”

He slides his hands in his pockets, then lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “I find it to be suspicious timing.”

His insinuation infuses my spine with tension while my tone is filled with derision. “You tryin’ to say Hidalgo sent Lola to play me?”

“It wouldn’t be unheard of. Hidalgo’s not exactly the sanest person to deal with.”

A rough sound falls from my lips. “That’s a fuckin’ understatement.”

Hidalgo Carrera is as loco as they make ’em. When I went to Colombia years ago to get a feel for his business dealin’s, rumors were in full swing even then.

Allegedly, he had no problem killin’ off his men for the stupidest shit.

Last I heard—’cause men are bigger gossips than most women I’ve met—he’s been overly paranoid that somebody’s gonna try to steal his wife from him.

Over the last few years, I’ve taken more and more business away from him, and he’s become even more of a petulant little bitch. He’s increased his retaliation efforts against me even more since I’ve gone after his human traffickin’ operations.

Marcelo continues. “It’s not unheard of for a rival to send a beautiful woman to their enemy to get intel.”

Jaw clenched, the muscles start to ache from the tension. “That’s not the case with her.”

One of his brows rises. “And you know this how?”

His challenge frays my patience even further. “’Cause she helped Andro after he tried to kill her. She’s the main reason he’s still alive after cuttin’ himself.”

His expression never wavers. Our gazes hold, neither of us givin’ an inch. Tense lines frame his mouth. “I just…worry, Santy. You’re like the son I never had.”

“Appreciate your concern, but there’s no need for it.” I keep my tone even, but I’m fightin’ against the irritation threatenin’ to break free.

Eyes narrowin’, disappointment infuses his features. “And you don’t think it’s a concern that you chose her over your nephew in front of everyone tonight?”

I shift to face him more fully with my arms folded across my chest. Regardin’ him with an icy look, my tone matches it. “The fuck you tryin’ to imply?”

His sigh this time pisses me off. It makes it seem like he’s dealin’ with some unruly kid instead of a man who built a fuckin’ empire with his bare hands.

He shakes his head slowly. “It’s obvious you’re not open to hearing reason. I’m just afraid you’re placing your trust in the hands of the wrong person.”

Tippin’ his head to the side, he surveys me closely. “And Andro’s bound to”—he grimaces—“hit some bumps as he tries to pave his own way. Surely, you can understand that.”

A colossal knot of tension gathers at the back of my neck. I swear, steam may just start comin’ outta my ears. “Some bumps? Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me with that shit?”

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