“Why not?”
He sounds like he’s about to rip into her. That angers me in a way I’m unprepared for.
“It wasn’t delivered.”
“You told me yesterday you tested the formula last week, and it was pure. It should be here by now.”
If I had any doubts she’s his newestpozolero, they’re gone now.
“‘Should’ doesn’t matter since it didn’t happen.Youemploy the courier.Youdidn’t pay him for the last job.Youput a bullet in his shoulder instead. He can’t drive his motorcycle because his arm is still immobile. He can’t get to the drop-off point in a car, and it’s too far for him to walk. Even if he could, how would he carry the shipment with one arm?”
“Take your tight little ass to the lab and get it yourself.”
“No.”
If I didn’t want to admit we listen to his conversations, I’d fuck Humberto up for insulting Florencia. Part of me feels a twinge of pride for her standing up to him, but more of me worries she’ll piss him off. His imminent tantrum is likely to result in her dying.
“Florencia, you don’t seem to understand that ‘no’ isn’t an option.”
“I have a job. I can’t just take off for the three days it’ll take me to get out and back.”
“This job is worth far more than working at some shitty little store.”
“It’s the only job that pays the bills.”
He doesn’t pay her?
“And if you want to keep it, you’ll do as you’re told. I’ll have you out on the streets before noon if you don’t fucking cooperate. You’ll have nowhere to turn but back to me.”
“For how long?”
“Until I tell you you’re done.”
“So, I’m your indentured servant? I didn’t agree to that.”
“No one gave you a choice about working for me, so there was nothing for you to agree or disagree to.”
“And if I go to Luis the next time he’s here? I’ll take my chances with him.”
Fucking hell. She’s playing with fire.
Her voice doesn’t waver. She sounds confident with an edge of defiance. If I didn’t know how volatile Humberto can be, I’d be proud of her self-confidence.
“You’ll obey me, or it won’t just be your job you lose. Yourmamáwill spend the rest of her life chained to my fucking bed. I’ll fucking kill yourabueloand all yourprimos.”
He’s not just threatening her, he’s moved on to her mother, grandfather, and male cousins. This is escalating fast. I pull my phone from my pocket and fire off texts to four men I trust more than anyone else in Colombia.
TíoEsteban was super close to his cousin Alicia. She was his first childhood friend, and he said she was his conscience before he metTíaLuciana. She has four sons I’ve known my whole life. I’d play with them and my cousins Jorge, Javier, and Joaquin—Tres J’s—when I came down here with my parents. They’ll know whether Humberto’s threats are credible or just hot air he’s blowing in Florencia’s direction to intimidate her.
“And I know where the lab is, but you don’t.”
“My men are loyal to me, not you.”
I snort. Good thing neither of them can hear me.
The men who work for Humberto are loyal—but not to him. They work forTíoEnrique, but they’re assigned to Humberto. It appears like a shit assignment, but the men know it’s an honor. It means we trust them more than most because Humberto hasn’t successfully left his property in the thirty-six years since I was born.
Florencia remains quiet. Her refusal to agree, concede, or even contradict him speaks louder than anything she could say. She’s the first to break the silence this time, but she isn’t giving in.
