Page 24 of Death

I close the distance between us and sit down. When I see he’s busy playing a fucking game on his phone, I smack him upside the head. “Fucker. I thought you were working.”

“I’m about to beat my high score.”

I watch Pedro play the damn game because there’s nothing better to do. Time crawls by slowly, and by the time it’s nine pm, I begin to feel agitated from waiting for the Gleeson family.

“As soon as they get here, Manuel has to get their passports and documents done as quickly as possible. I want them on the plane before sunrise,” I say as I stand up to stretch my legs.

“Got it,” Pedro mutters, finally putting down his phone.

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Done playing?”

“I have to charge my phone.”

When he climbs to his feet to plug the phone in, Jorge pops his head in by the front door. “There’s a car coming up the road.”

Pedro follows me out onto the small porch, and we watch as the car speeds toward the safe house.

Reaching behind me, my fingers curl around the handle of my gun while Pedro takes a submachine gun from Jorge.

Pedro looks through the scope of the weapon, then says, “It’s the Gleesons.”

“Everyone on high alert from here on out,” I order.

A minute later, the car comes to a stop, and Mr. Gleeson gets out while his wife and children remain in the car. “Hello? Uhm…Santiago?”

His greeting sounds like a question, and from the sweat stains under his armpits and his heavy breathing, I can tell he’s anxious as fuck.

I pull my hand away from my weapon, and knowing my men have my back, I walk toward the nervous man.

“That would be me. Did you make sure no one followed you?” I ask.

Gleeson nods quickly, his tongue darting out to wet his lips in another nervous action.

I wave a hand at the car. “Get your family inside so we can get started on your documents.”

He opens the driver’s side door and peeks in. “It’s okay. Get out.”

I glance at Eladio, one of my men who’s like family to me, and say, “Check their luggage for tracking devices.”

He nods and helps Gleeson with the bags, and as they head into the house, I look at Jorge. “Tell the men to get rid of the car.”

“On it.”

I glance around the area before heading toward the front door.

Pedro sticks to my side as I walk to the room where Manuel has everything set up.

Stopping in the doorway, I wait as Manuel orders, “Freshen up and calm down. You can’t look shit scarred on your passport photos.”

I step away so the family can get to the bathroom, then look at Manuel. “How long will it take?”

“Four hours. There’s a fuck-ton to be done.”

I nod before walking to the kitchen. I’m not a big coffee drinker, but right now, I need the caffeine to stay awake through the night.

I turn my head toward Pedro. “Do you want coffee?”

He shakes his head. “I’m good with water.”

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