"Of course. Would you believe me?"
She studies my face as if she’s trying to figure out if I’m a bad guy. "Madison's my friend. I've known her for eight years."
"And now she lives in my village."
"Your village? That’s an interesting way to put it,” she says.
"An accurate way to put it."
"Is she safe here?"
"Very safe. I’m watching out for her."
Sarah nods slowly, processing this admission. "If something happens to her."
"Don’t worry, it won't,” I assure her.
"We’ll be here four more days," she says, almost as a warning to me.
"And I hope you enjoy every minute of your stay.”
After they leave, Madison turns to me. "I know Sarah. She's going to investigate harder now."
"Let her. She'll only find what I want her to find."
"Which is?"
"Enough truth to satisfy her curiosity, not enough to cause problems."
"And if she finds more?"
"Then we’ll do whatever's necessary to protect our interests."
"Our interests or your interests?"
"Same thing now."
The drive back to the villa is silent. Madison stares out the window, processing the evening's interactions. She's beginning to understand the complexity of managing her two worlds, the one her friends know and the one she actually lives.
"Tomorrow," I tell her as we arrive, "Antonio takes them on a tour. Somewhere beautiful, touristy, far from anything that matters."
"They'll want to see the village where we live,” she says.
"The village is being prepared first."
"Prepared how? What are you talking about?"
"Everyone knows American tourists are visiting. They’re your friends and they know the importance of being welcoming."
"You've coached the entire village?" she asks.
"I've taken precautions with them, that’s all."
"By turning the whole village into a Broadway play with actors?"
"I’m only ensuring your friends have a pleasant, safe visit that doesn't compromise my operations or your safety."
She looks at me with something between admiration and horror. "You’re a control freak. You control everything."
