Page 103 of Uncharted

I stood and walked with them, careful not to make any move to try and communicate with Guadalupe. The only thing I did was send her a look that said, “Don’t lose your focus. Stay in the game.”

Her quick nod told me she understood, loud and clear.

We were taken to the office of Alonso López. It was spacious and ornate in décor. I immediately disliked it. Dark woods, dark lighting, a dark presence loomed in the air.

“We’ve been talking a lot about you, Ramona.” He picked at his nailbeds, appearing bored with this meeting.

I knew his statement wasn’t meant for me to respond to.

His attention moved back to me. “I have a business to run. A reputation to uphold. Both of them are of the utmost importance to me.”

I nodded. I couldn’t look to Guadalupe for help, so I kept my spine stiff and my answers short and sweet.

“And, this unfortunate series of events begs the question . . . why did any of this happen?”

I forced myself to speak, paying a great deal of attention to my words. “I understand your concern. I understand your dedication. I am here to ensure that neither is compromised any further.”

He nodded his head as he tilted it to the side, his smile almost menacing as he watched for my reaction. “Ah. Yes. So, you and I are in agreement?”

“Yes.”

“And still . . . I need to make sure you are on my side.” He gave a nod to one of his henchmen behind me. Before I knew it, I was being dragged by my hair into an adjoining room.

Jorge entered, pushing Guadalupe ahead of him. He gave another nod, and I was struck across my face. The air left my body from the force of the blow.

“Tell me what I want to know!”

“I know nothing.” Another smack across my face.

“Who do you work for?”

“No one.” I spit the blood from my mouth. “I work for you,” I corrected my statement.

“Why were the cops there?”

“I don’t know.”

“How did they follow us?”

“Into the tunnel? I don’t know. They must have found it.” I was forced to the floor onto my knees, my hands bound behind my back. My head was subsequently pushed into a pool of icy water. Over and over again. Just when I thought I’d pass out, I was pulled up again—gasping for breath. My lungs were on fire, the icy water stabbing every fiber of my being.

“What did you tell them?”

“I didn’t . . . talk to anyone.” I gasped for air. “No one . . . but Lupe . . . and her father.”

“We were raided! Our club was ransacked!”

My head was shoved back into the icy depths. I couldn’t fight back.

“You’re telling me you had nothing to do with this!?” He shouted while my head was submerged. I shook my head in reply.

“No. No. No.” I muttered over and over again when I was pulled back out. I was gasping for breath as Guadalupe was shoved forward to me again. My hands were released, and I took the towel she held out for me. “I didn’t say anything or tell anyone anything.”

Alonso López patted my cheek. “I believe you,chica. Had to put you through hell to make sure you’re the real deal. You didn’t break. You are strong,mija.”

We were taken back to his office, where I was awarded a blanket and another dry towel.

When I finally caught my breath, I told the story I’d practiced over and over upstairs. “Your guy, I don’t know his name . . . he was gurgling, shot bad. I got to the other one and helped him up, and we started back for them. We had no choice but to go. But when I got there, I guess he didn’t make it. I don’t know what happened. Other than the cops killed three of them, and we shot two of their guys. I heard them calling out about an officer down or something.” I shrugged my shoulders like I couldn’t care less. And I didn’t because I knew the second part of that last line was a complete lie.

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