Half surprised that he answered, she licked her dry lips.“Person?You mean men?”
“Female customers are welcomed at Chicas Asesinas and others like it.The brothels, though, rarely see female clients unless they come in with their boyfriends or husbands.”
“Like a couple looking for a three-way?”
Enrique grimaced, likely at her slang.“Some women have little hope, like the ones you’re seeing now.Those who work at the Lozano establishments are paid well and protected.If they’re smart or able, they’ll save their money to buy their way into a better life.”
“Where’s the harm in letting me see the building?”
“Fine.”He stretched his fingers around the wheel.“I’ll drive by.You are not going in.”
She bristled.“I didn’t ask to go in.”
He turned left and drove deeper into the southwestern part of the city.
Metal bars covered the windows of rundown pawnshops, liquor stores, and convenience stores while thrift shops and hair salons took their chances.Graffiti intermixed with the Lozano gang tag of a spider in a massive web stained the sea of one- and two-story buildings in colorful street art.
Enrique parked in front of a two-story nondescript brick building.
She climbed out of the car and dashed to the yellow crime scene tape that sealed off the double doors.A few men in sharp suits hustled by her and headed toward an upscale bar.Enrique’s muttered curse echoed behind her just before he clutched her elbow.
“What the hell, Lourdes?”
“Just let me see.”She trailed her fingertips across his scrunched forehead, silently begging him to tear down the shield between them.
Exasperation mingled with curiosity in his creased eyes.Nostrils flaring, he released her and stepped back.
A twinge of hope fluttered in her chest.She strode down the sidewalk with Enrique at her side toward the alley between the brothel and an adult novelty boutique.The buildings blocked the afternoon sunlight and engulfed her in shadows.She stroked her fingers across the sooty, textured wall and over a boarded-up window, then rubbed her fingertips together to wipe off the blackish-gray ash.
“Lo siento.”Pursing her lips, she turned to Enrique.The oddest little frown tightened his face.“We need to come to an understanding.Perhaps I’m pushing you too fast.No, I know I am.But the future is so uncertain right now.I feel like I’m drowning when I should be elated and over the moon in love.Yesterday, I was.Somewhat, at least.Today, I don’t know.I need to find a way to trust you with all this”—she patted the brick wall of the brothel—“and you need to find a way to let me into the darker parts of your life.Normally, I’m not a jealous person, but I’m finding it hard to see reason when everything is so murky.I’m not fragile, Enrique, not anymore.The truth won’t break me or destroy our relationship, but your silence very well might.”
He closed his eyes and tunneled his hands through his hair.“What am I going to do with you?”His phone rang in his pocket.He fished it out, checked the caller ID, and smashed a button.“Tell me it’s done,” he barked into the receiver.
She stepped back to give him privacy before she inwardly chastised herself and returned to his side.Whatever was happening, she wanted to know.To be a part of it.To help him through it.The lines framing his eyes shouted his anger from the rooftops.His regret and helplessness, too.Something had gone wrong.Terribly wrong.
“Keep him alive.I’m on my way.”Enrique ended the call and squeezed the phone until the casing creaked.He glared at her.“You want my trust?You’re going to get it.Let’s go.”
She followed him back to the car.Questions seared her tongue.
The rumble of the engine vibrated through the coupe as he sped down the city streets and wrestled the stick shift.He zoomed past a red light for the highway ramp, leaving the city behind for the desert outskirts.
“Lourdes, listen carefully.”Enrique eased his death grip on the stick and clutched her hand.Hard.“Stay in the car while I take care of some business.You’re completely safe, but I need you to stay put.”
“Who called?Who needs to be kept alive?”As he gnashed his teeth, she drew back and fisted her hands.“If you want me to do as you ask, give me something in return.Confide in me.”
“I’m giving you more than I should just by taking you with me.Believe me, if I had time, I would take you home first.”
“I promise you, I will continue to nag until you open up.”Her chest ached, tension burrowing deep inside.“All my life, I’ve lived in the darkness of not knowing.Nothing you can ever tell me or show me will change how I feel about you.”
Curses split his lips.Then he slumped his shoulders.“The police found money laundering equipment in the basement of La Estancia Roja and sent it to a forensic lab.”
His growled words soothed her pounding heart.“Cash-counting machines?”
“And laptops.The police chief has instructed Detective Ibarra to arrange transport of the evidence to a secured storage facility.At some point tomorrow, the cyber division intends to hack into the computer mainframes.Muniz and his team have intercepted the evidence van.”
“Intercepted?”Lourdes gripped the side of the door, fitting the jagged puzzle pieces together in her mind.
“The cops on escort duty are on the cartel’s payroll.They weren’t supposed to lift a finger to prevent the theft, but one of them did.Now, things are fucked up.”
