Victor wanted nothing more than to wipe the infuriating grin off Esteban’s face, but he had things to do. Big things. Warren was meeting with El Charro, the quasi-legendary drug lord who ran a profitable subsidiary of the Sinaloa cartel. This was Warren’s first face-to-face with thecapo,and it was up to Victor to arrange for security.
El Charro traveled with his own bodyguards, but Victor had to ensure the grounds were swept clean that day, and that the staff steered clear of the main house. So far, no-one could attest to Warren’s connection with the cartel, and it was important to ensure there were no witnesses to the meeting.
On the day of the meeting, Victor had extra men stationed at the gate and around the perimeter. When it was almost time, he went inside and waited at the bottom of the stairs for Warren.
Warren took a deep breath as he peered at his reflection in the mirror. He’d waited six years for this day. Hehadto convince El Charro to release him from the organization, but it wasn’t going to be easy. No one got out squeaky clean, if at all. Warren picked up the photo of him and Adriana on their wedding day and traced his wife’s smile.
I miss you so much, babe.
He heard laughter from Skye’s room, and put the frame down.
I’ll get her out, Adriana. Whatever it takes. I promise.
“MaMaLu.” He knocked on Skye’s door. “I’m expecting an important guest,” he said when she opened the door. “Make sure you and Skye stay here until my meeting is done. We are not to be disturbed. Under any circumstances.”
“Yes, Señor Sedgewick.” MaMaLu watched as he made his way downstairs. He left with Victor to receive the car that had just pulled up.
She was about to shut the door when Esteban came in through the back door, carrying a notebook and pencil. She’d forgotten to tell him that his first class with Miss Edmonds had been canceled.
“Esteban!” She waved from upstairs. “Go home. There’s no class today. And make sure Señor Sedgewick does not see you. No one’s supposed to be here. You hear me?”
“Okay.” Esteban had no idea what all the fuss was about, but when MaMaLu used that tone, you listened.
MaMaLu went back into Skye’s room and shut the door. For a moment, Esteban debated if he should sneak upstairs, but the front door swung open and Warren entered with a group of men. Esteban didn’t want to get into any more trouble so he darted into the dining room. He crawled into his hiding space in the hutch, waiting for them to pass, but they entered the room and sat at the table. Victor shut the door and stood behind Warren. Esteban could not make out the other men. All he saw as he peeked through the crisscross lattice was their legs.
“This is a great honor,” said Warren. “I wasn’t expecting all of you.”
“We have been doing business for a long time. It was time we met,” said the man sitting next to Warren.
“Of course. May I offer you gentleman a drink?” Warren got up and walked over to the hutch. Esteban heard the tinkle of ice.
Just then, the door swung open and Skye ran in. “Esteban! I forgot to tell him—”
“Skye!” MaMaLu stumbled in after her, trying to restrain her. “I’m so sorry, Señor Sedgewick.”
There was a moment of complete silence. Warren turned around slowly to face her. MaMaLu looked around the table and quickly looked away. “Sorry to have disturbed you. Come on, Skye.” She started leading Skye out.
“But—” Skye turned around, trying to see past her father to the place Esteban usually hid.
“Get back upstairs, Skye.” Warren’s voice was dull and flat. “Gentleman, I apologize for the interruption,” he said, after MaMaLu and Skye had left.
It seemed to Esteban that the room was quiet for a long, long time.
“We’ve been compromised,” said the man who had spoken earlier.
“That was my daughter’s nanny. She’s been with us for many years. She can be trusted, El Charro. I give you my word,” Warren replied.
The man next to El Charro whispered something to him. The others spoke amongst themselves.
“We need more assurance than that, especially if you plan on leaving. We have your terms of release, but we can’t afford any loose ends. It’s not just us we’re worried about, you understand? You have a young daughter. I’m sure you wouldn’t want her to be caught up in all this.”
Warren started to say something, but thought the better of it. El Charro had him by the balls. If Warren didn’t do something about MaMaLu, Skye’s life was on the line. He also knew that the only reason El Charro was willing to let him leave was because his father-in-law, Adriana’s dad, had pulled some major strings to help him and Skye get out of the country, away from the cartel. “I understand,” he replied. “I’ll take care of it.”
“The sooner, the better,” said El Charro.
The meeting proceeded, but much of what was being said did not make sense to Esteban. He was glad when the men got up and shook hands.
After they left the room, Warren turned to Victor. “The situation with MaMaLu. Look after it. Nothing . . . permanent. You understand?”
