Page 141 of When Lies Unfold

Santy’s tone is biting as he interrogates Miguel. “Need you to tell me what the hell happened here.”

Suspicion lies heavy in Santy’s tone, and I understand why. Shit hit the fan in a big way with his nephew allegedly playing a role in abducting his daughter.

“Andro said he forgot his cell phone here and needed to get it. We found it here, exactly where he thought he’d left it. That’s the only reason we let him through the gates.” Miguel scowls. “They were waitin’ to ambush us. And with you takin’ most of the guys with you?—”

Disgust drips from his voice as Santy finishes, “It was easy fuckin’ work for ’em.”

“Yeah, boss.” Both pain and determination mingle in Miguel’s eyes.

As carefully as possible, I ease his bulletproof vest from him. When I gently probe alongside his left ribs, he grits his teeth.

When I lift his shirt, I’m greeted by a myriad of purple, red, and blue hues adorning his side. “Oh, Miguel,” I murmur softly. I would bet that he’s sustained fractured ribs.

Tense brackets frame Santy’s mouth, his tone flat. “What else.”

“Their main goal was to get Alma. But when they couldn’t find Miss Arias, I heard one of ’em get on the phone and call somebody else to try and track her down at her place.”

“Fuck!” Santy looks ready to explode, his features taut with fury. Gripping the back of his neck, he stares down the near-silent hallway, the muscle in his cheek flickering wildly. Fiery hatred suffuses each of his words. “I will fuckin’ kill Hidalgo and Andro myself.”

“Easy, boss,” Gordo warns. “We gotta go into this with our heads on straight?—”

“He has my daughter!” Anguish and fear mingle in his thundering voice. His hands fist at his sides. “I will not lose her.”

The men fall silent as something else catches my attention. My gaze narrows on Miguel. “Miguel.” I say his name calmly. “Are you hiding something from me?”

At my question, the other men snap to attention, making Miguel’s cheeks deepen with color. “No. Just…rather get Doc to help me out.”

I soften my tone. “Miguel…” I wait for him to begrudgingly meet my gaze. “We need to get that bullet out of your ass.”

“All the gods, all the heavens, all the hells, are within you.”

—Joseph Campbell

62

SANTIAGO

“Sure you wanna do this?” Gordo mutters this as he pulls the SUV to a stop.

I check my weapon, my hand flexin’ around its grip. “Tryin’ to talk me out of it?”

“No. Just wanna make sure you’re not gonna do somethin’ you’ll regret.”

My scowl deepens as I peer at him with narrowed eyes. “You think I’m gonna regret killin’ somebody who put my daughter in the hands of a fuckin’ trafficker?”

Gordo holds my stare silently, and I know why he’s askin’. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be the good friend he is.

“My only regret is not doin’ it sooner to prevent all this from happenin’ in the first place.”

He nods, and we exit the vehicle quietly. The rest of my men follow me as we fan out behind the house where Andro’s currently hostin’ a party.

My nephew’s enjoyin’ himself, if the sounds of music and female squeals driftin’ our way are any indication.

I don’t have it in me to drag out his death. He’s not worth more than a single bullet between the eyes.

As far as his asshole groupies who accompanied him, I want these fuckers gone, too. The security footage was clear enough for me to pinpoint exactly which of these bastards played even the smallest role in the ambush.

While I sure as hell don’t take pleasure in killin’ family, Andro brought this on himself.

---