Page 156 of Depths of Destruction
28
Andre
Darkness beginsto creep into the sky. Waves crash harder against the shore from the tide. We've had a full day of sun and grilled out for dinner. Blaise went inside about an hour ago.
Naomi is sitting on my lap. She's been like her old self all day, and the three of us spent most of the day laughing. Mostly it's at my expense from her and Blaise poking fun at me wherever they can, but I don't mind. One of the things I love most about Naomi is her sassy spunk. And it's been great to spend time with my brother. I stroke her head. "Should we go in?"
She brings her sinful lips to mine. "Is it too early to go to the bedroom?" She flicks her tongue in my mouth and slides her fingers through my chest hair.
"That can be arranged," I mumble and hold her head firmly to mine while greedily returning her kisses.
"Hmmm. I think—"
"Andre. Get in here," Blaise barks, making Naomi jump.
"Blaise—"
"Sorry, Naomi. You both need to see this."
My gut flips. Blaise has a look in his eyes that says something is wrong. He shakes his head in tiny movements.
"What's wrong?" Naomi asks.
"Just come inside."
We get up, and he leads us to the family room. The TV is on and turned to the news.
"The latest statement from the White House is Belizean investigative journalist, Naomi Salazar, and her sister, Emilia, are persons of interest in the President's War on Drugs campaign. While the White House has not given any more details, the President has issued an international search for the two sisters who were believed to be kidnapped by the renowned drug lord, Santiago Gómez, of the Colombian cartel," the male news reporter states. Pictures of Naomi and Emilia fill the screen.
Naomi gapes, shaking, and I pull her close to me.
The woman sitting next to the reporter asks, "Fredrick, is the U.S. indicating the cartel did not abduct the sisters?"
"At this point, the White House hasn't clarified. However, President Tyler has sent notification to all allies of the United States. He is asking for their cooperation with any information leading to the questioning of the sisters."
Blaise turns the volume down.
"You've got to be kidding me," I sneer.
"He... Can he do that?" Naomi gasps.
"Yes," Blaise states.
"My sister...she doesn't have anything to do with my story."
My loathing for the President grows. "It's a maneuver to get you to turn yourself in."
Naomi's eyes widen more. "If I do, he'll leave Emilia alone?"
"Get it out of your head. You aren't doing anything of the sort," I growl.
Blaise says, "Andre, about—"
"Turn that back up!" Naomi points to the screen. There's a video of Zoe in sunglasses, with her head down, and she's being led through a sea of paparazzi.
Blaise increases the volume.
"...will resume her tour in Mexico in two weeks. Her manager says Ms. Diego needed a break and has been at a luxury resort in an undisclosed location during the last fifteen months. She is eager to get back to work. We reached out for an interview but were told Ms. Diego would not be conducting any in the near future, except for this one brief statement."
