Page 175 of When Lies Unfold

I love you like the daughter I’ve always dreamed of having. Stay safe for me and keep your father out of trouble.

Love always,

Lola

“You okay, Daddy?”

I clear my throat a few times to be able to speak. ’Cause I’ve tortured enough people and ended enough lives to know what people say when they know they’re not comin’ back.

They don’t just fix a broken chain for the hell of it and give it to a kid durin’ a hostage exchange.

My eyes burn, but I force a nod. “I’m okay. Now, you stay safe and don’t go anywhere. Diego and Andrés are in charge of the men here with you till I get back.”

“Okay.”

Minutes later, Gordo and I stand in front of my men and our SUVs. Their attention’s trained on me as I address ’em.

“I’ve never asked any of you to go with me where I wasn’t prepared to go first. I’ve never led you into someplace where I knew or even thought we wouldn’t all be walkin’ back out of.”

I survey each of ’em. “You might’ve needed some help walkin’ out, but you were able to get out.”

With a pause, I slide my hands in my pockets. “I can’t guarantee any of that right now. What I will say is, I’m gonna find a way into Hidalgo’s, and I’m gonna tear that place apart until I find my woman.”

My men stare back at me with somber expressions as I continue. “I’m askin’ you to go with me, but in this instance, I’ll understand if you don’t wanna take the risk.”

With that, I step back. I’ve never done this—I’ve never given my men an out before. But we’re gonna be vastly outnumbered. If I’m bein’ honest, it’s a fuckin’ death wish.

Gilberto is the first to speak. “Count me in, boss.”

Next is Luis. “I’m in.” The smallest thread of worry edges through in his tone. “If Lo—Miss Arias needs us, then we need to be there for her.”

One by one, they chime in, their expressions somber yet determined.

I’ve never been prouder and more humbled before. These men are prepared to go on what’s closer to a suicide mission with me for Lola.

She has no idea she won these men over without even tryin’. Just by bein’ the strong, ballsy woman she is, she’s gained their alliance. She won the love and trust of my daughter.

Most of all, she somehow wedged herself deep inside my cold, black heart. Never thought I’d want a future with anybody.

Until her.

Gordo clamps a hand on my shoulder, givin’ it a quick squeeze. “Let’s bring her back home where she belongs.”

Once we’re packed into our SUVs, Gordo leads the caravan. Within minutes, we stop along the outskirts of Hidalgo’s compound, out of surveillance range, prepared to breach it on foot.

The moment we step out of our vehicles, an explosion hits that’s so powerful it feels like the world rocks on its axis.

Ears ringin’, we stare at the enormous fireball ahead.

Right where Hidalgo’s compound is.

81

LOLA

TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THE INITIAL EXPLOSION

I feel much better than I look.

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