I nod.
“What makes you still apprehensive?”
Luciana reads me too well. When I glance at Catalina, I know she sees my trepidation despite how hard I try to mask it.
“I fear they’ll think I’ve been out of the labs too long and that I only merit an entry-level position. That certainly won’t be enough to pay for a place on my own. It’s not like I can tell them the type of lab I’ve worked in for nearly the past year. I explained to Pablo while we were in Switzerland that Humberto made me prove my skills by working for him for several months before setting up the lab. He made me study and replicate formulas from existing samples. It pissed Pablo off to realize my involvement stretched back further than he thought. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do from Switzerland, but I’m certain he’ll take it out on myabueloat some point.”
We know he’s still in New York. He’s contacted Pablo. My boyfriend, along with Alejandro andTres J’s, met withAbuelo. Pablo made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that I donotwish to seeAbueloand that he needs to stop trying because I wouldn’t change my mind. And if he insisted upon pushing the issue, Pablo would put him on a commercial flight—in Economy—back to Bogotá. Then Pablo would put him under house arrest just like Humberto was.
It’s keptAbueloaway from me, but he hasn’t given in and gone back yet. Pablo assures me he’s being watched.Los Diazare tapping all of his phones and email. He can’t conspire to do anything without Pablo knowing about it.
“Keep trusting Pablo like you do, and everything will work out.” Luciana covers my hand and squeezes it as our food arrives.
“I’ve never trusted anyone more. I’ve just known since the beginning that even if he was my enemy, I could still trust him. I’m glad we’re on the same side.”
“He makes you happy, doesn’t he?” Catalina offers me such a maternal smile that my heart aches.
“Very.”
“Oursobrinois like the other men in our family. He can talk a lot, but he doesn’t always communicate well. When he messes up—which he inevitably will—find patience. You might not agree with him—and that’s fine—but he’ll consider your wellbeing with the same seriousness and dedication as he does everyone else’s he’s responsible for.”
“I know, Ana. I admire him for all that he does for others. I’ve seen hints of it since we got here. I don’t know everything about his work, but I know he’s dedicated to the people who rely on him.”
“He’s been that way since he was a kid. He always looked out for the otherniños. He kept them out of trouble as much as he got them into it. Myniñois damn Houdini reincarnated. Alejandro can disappear from right in front of you, I swear. It used to give Matáis and me heart attacks when he was little. It’s why we stopped at one. Pablo would always come, take my hand, and say, ‘TíaCatalina, I’ll help you. He’s not hiding. He’s hungry.’ He used to make me laugh because half the time he was right. Even when he knew Alejandro wasn’t anywhere near food, he understood it made me panic a little less. He always knew where hisprimowas.”
I think about the little boy Catalina describes. He sounds adorable and sweet. I can almost picture him with his soulful eyes. I know many people describe them as soulless, but I’ve seen depths of emotion in his gaze I know he reserves for me. I’ve also witnessed how he can completely shut someone out. It’s like being shoved out into a blizzard. It saddens me to think why he’s become the man he is, but in the next breath, it comforts me to know he can be like that. It’s what’s kept me safe.
Catalina, Luciana, and I continue chatting as we eat. We discuss my résumé and cover letters a little more. They assure melos Diazknow people in various industries who would want a trained chemist. They don’t promise me a job, but they promise to get my name in front of people who could offer me one.
“That was a wonderful lunch. Thank you, Cat.”
“It’s been lovely spending the day with you, Florencia. We hope we can do it again soon.” Luciana gives me a quick hug and squeeze as she finishes speaking.
The sisters are going home, so they head to the SUV we were in earlier. Another one pulls up to take me back to Pablo’s place in Manhattan. I wave to the two women as I approach the vehicle. I have a guard on each side of me, so I think nothing of the three guys who approach from the front, left, and right. Catalina and Luciana’s SUV pulls away moments before two men pull out Tasers.
The man coming straight toward me has a gun pointed at my chest. I reach inside my purse for mine. I might not have a license for it yet in New York, but I still carry it. Old habits die hard. Pablo gave me a weapon the day after we arrived. He took me to a private shooting gallery, and I showed him I’m properly trained.
I don’t have a chance to draw it before searing pain lances my back. It’s near my kidneys, and my knees buckle. I can do nothing but fall to the ground and watch as men kick my guards in the head. Then I’m scooped up as Pablo’s men run toward us from the Diaz SUV. They’re too far away. I writhe in pain as I’m tossed in the back of a van.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Pablo
“Speak up, Ernesto. Can’t hear you.”
I had men pick up Ernesto a week after we arrived. I’ve been holding him at the bodega—corner store—we have on Long Island. Each family has “a place” where they conduct business no one else can ever know about.
We own several small businesses in Jackson Heights. The other three families believe we hold our inquisitions in the basement of a Queens bodega we use for our underground gambling rings. They think there’s another in Queens that’s our torture chamber. We let them believe whatever the fuck they want if it lets me work in peace here on Long Island.
Ernesto’s been hanging from his wrists for a day and a half. We had him tied to a chair for a couple days. He’s been in and out of a meat fridge. We’ve kept him guessing for weeks. I’ve already worked him over a little each day. Enough to keep him in constant pain, but not enough to kill him. I’d love to do more, but he needs to be conscious.
“I know nothing else, Pablo. I came here looking for my granddaughter, and that’s it.”
“Huevonada. You’re such a horrible liar, Ernesto, and you’re being stubborn. You can end all of this if you just talk.” Bullshit.
“I can’t tell you anything I don’t know.”
I drive my fist into his gut.
