Page 72 of Twin Deception

I shoved my thoughts about my past behind me and tried to focus on the future. Squeezing his hand tighter, I drew a deep breath and hoped this next step would be over with quickly.

The faster we could get answers about why a hit was placed on me the way it had been, the sooner we could devote all our energy and attention to starting our family.

27

MIGUEL

The rest of the drive to Rueben’s house was uneventful. Isabel’s quiet mood bothered me, though, and I tried not to worry about whether this was too fast for her, if she was having second thoughts about a future with me. I didn’t doubt that she was interested or that she wanted to stick with me. But how quickly everything was changing…

We’d only collided into each other’s lives a little over a week and a half ago. I had a head start with the file Drago sent me. I knew more about her and looked forward to learning more. Whatever she wanted to know about me, I would tell her.

For the remainder of the ride away from the busy hub of Acapulco, where she’d given up on a vacation to just be with me and literally figure out how to save her life, she asked me more questions. Where I lived, the places I’d seen, even a little bit about my parents I’d lost so cruelly.

In exchange, I asked more about what wasn’t readily available in the file Drago sent me. She talked about her reasoning to go into the arts, and specifically, painting murals. Then she shared more about her plans. While she had an apartment in LA, shewasn’t necessarily committed to staying there forever. Her work required a lot of travel, and she was next scheduled to paint a mural at an art gallery in Tampa. I couldn’t wait to accompany her on her art trips. Already, I could envision it so clearly.

Intrigued about what the file on her could say, she asked to see it. With snorts and laughter, she corrected the details and facts that weren’t correct. This led to a discussion about her tattoos.

“How come you don’t have a file on Louis?” she asked after a while.

“I do. Or I did. He sent me just enough for me to be able to find him and learn that he was supposed to meet a politician in Acapulco. I was waiting there to follow him after the meeting, but he never showed up.”

“Isn’t there anything in his file to give a clue about what he’s been doing? About what he could’ve done with the Cartel?”

“No. His file was on the light side. Bigger hits usually don’t have a lot of details like yours did. The more corrupt, the more they want to hide. And the more they want to hide, the more I need to stalk them and be on the hunt.”

“I still don’t see why anyone would thinkIcould be a valid pawn. Whoever he’s been doing business with, whatever he’s been planning and whoever he’s been working for or against, they can’t possibly see me as something or someone valuable to make him change his behavior. They couldn’t have seen us together or even communicating via emails, text, or calls. Yeah, I called him to demand some answers, but for all I know, that number went nowhere. He didn’t answer.”

I nodded. “I know what you mean.”

“If someone wanted to find someone to use as leverage over him, or as bait, they would’ve had to really dig deep and look for me to know that I existed.”

She raised valid points, and I wondered all the more what Rueben might be able to explain.

We reached his house shortly. Vegetation grew unchecked around the small building, and I recognized that it was intentional for shelter. No one would stumble upon him way out here. His home was really off the beaten path.

I pulled up, counting on the element of surprise to get him talking. Had I called ahead of time, he might have tried to sneak away to avoid talking to me. Like I told Isabel, secrets and news could be a marketable commodity. We were acquaintances, but not friends. We were friendly enough when it benefitted both of us, but no long-lasting loyalties would be obeyed here. That was how it was in the Cartel’s way of life. This mandatory and expected aloofness was partly due to the nature of my independent employment too. In with the Cartel, yet not.

Despite that, I felt comfortable relying on him for answers and being open to talking.

“What, um, what should I do?” Isabel asked as she reached for the door handle. “Do I get out? Or wait in here? Or…” She shrugged. “I was never included in any meetings Louis had. I never wanted to be there, but with this…” Again, she shrugged, showing how nervous she was.

“You stay with me.” I got out and waited for her to join me in front of the car. I wasn’t fond of this particular rental that I’d gotten when I arrived. Now, I knew I had to procure my ownversion of this make and model. The memory of taking her on the hood would forever be imprinted on my brain.

“Okay,” she replied, nodding as she took my hand that I offered to her.

“I will keep you safe, Isabel, but I will always be able to do that better when we are together. When I can see you.”

“When we’re partners, right?” she asked, smiling. The expression didn’t reach her eyes, though, and now, more than before, I saw how her bravado and courage could wane. She wasn’t used to this hard life. She was an artist, lacking the stamina for constant violence and danger. Soon, she wouldn’t have to face it at all. She could just paint those walls, give me children, and be my family. My wife.

“Yes. Partners. You stick with me and follow my lead, all right?”

She nodded, and even that movement was jerky. “Do I have a part to play? Anything you want me to say or not say?”

I hid a smile at her questions. She was prepping, like this was a play. One day soon, she wouldn’t have to pretend she was someone else to fake happiness or to ensure her safety. She could be secure with me and know she could be herself. She could just be mine.

“No. Let me do all the talking,” I said as we approached the house. “Stay back a little, but always stay with me.” Scoping out the scene, I searched for anyone hiding or watching. Cameras would be hidden among the leaves and higher up to record anyone trespassing, but those were expected. I didn’t detect anyone lurking to jump out at us, though. “Rueben isn’t a friend, but he’s been an ally before.”

“Does he owe you a favor?”

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