Page 72 of Heartless

“But how do I know this isn’t a trick? Some way to get me to give you information, and then you’ll kill me.”

“Because I want nothing from you. I have all the information I need to destroy the Gonzalez cartel. Which is something that’s going to take place very soon. This deal is a one-time offer to get you and your mother out before that happens.”

“Why would you do this for us? For me?”

“Perhaps because I don’t believe you should be held responsible for the mistakes of your father.”

The man turned to his mamá. “And, Mrs. Gonzalez, I don’t believe you signed up for this either. You are still a young woman. You can have a life free of danger. As can your son.”

Juan glanced at Mamá. Why had he never considered her happiness? She had been seventeen when she’d had him. Her marriage to his papá had been arranged between the two families. His papá had been twenty years older, and though Juan had witnessed affection between them, his mamá had never really had a choice. She had done what she had been told to do. But this could be a new start for her, too.

“Mamá?” Juan said softly.

Her eyes gleaming with promise, she said, “Juan…it would be nice to not be afraid anymore.”

Something settled in his mind, and the anxiety he’d been living with lifted. He turned back to the man and said, “Very well. What do we need to do?”

The man slid a thick envelope onto the coffee table in front of them. “These are new identities for you and your mother. Passports, birth certificates, driver’s licenses. All the things you’ll need to start a new life.” A second thick envelope joined the first one. “Your father was not a good man, Juan. I know you loved him, but he destroyed a lot of lives and did some evil things. However, one thing he did do right was provide for you and your mother. He had three different accounts set up in your name that the authorities don’t know about. They are now under your new name.”

Juan opened the envelope, his eyes widening at the amounts he saw on the account documents.

“As you see, you’ll be starting out without any money worries. Four million in one account, three million in another, and four hundred fifty thousand in another. All the monies have been transferred to a bank here in San Antonio. A house has been purchased here in your name, Juan. You are not obligated to stay there. It’s merely a place to live until you decide if you want a different one. I do recommend that you stay in San Antonio for at least a year.

“The title and keys to the house are inside the packet, as well as the keys to a SUV that’s parked in the parking lot outside.

“Also, even though your documents can stand up to any scrutiny, I have arranged an appointment for you with an excellent plastic surgeon. Some light cosmetic surgery, nothing too drastic, should throw off anyone who knows you.”

Juan touched the scar on his cheek. He had considered having it removed but had decided that it needed to stay. Every time he looked in the mirror, it would remind him of the hatred he should have for the people who had destroyed his life. But now, removing it sounded like the perfect solution. He wanted to rid himself of the anger and desolation that had consumed him for the past few years.

“Any questions?” the man asked.

“Will I ever see you again?”

“No. This will be our last communication. Once I leave this room, you and your mother are on your own.”

“And you’re sure no one can trace us to here?”

“I’m positive. No one other than myself knows anything about this.”

“I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Live the best life you can, Juan. Don’t let your father’s past define your future.”

The man stood and headed toward the door.

“Wait!”

He turned and said, “Yes?”

Juan wished the man would take off his sunglasses so he could see his eyes. With his face almost totally covered by the beard, the glasses, and the baseball cap pulled low, it was impossible to see any identifiable features.

“Thank you, señor, for everything.”

Mamá repeated the same words.

The man nodded and opened the door. As he stepped out, Juan noticed for the first time that the man had a slight limp. The door shut before he could see anything else that might help him identify the man who’d given them this amazing chance at a new life.

Whoever he was and whatever his reason for such generosity, Juan hoped that he would make him proud.

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