Page 1 of Embedded
ONE
Mexico/Texas Border
BRUNO
I swung my arm as hard as I could and jammed the knife into my security guard’s neck. His body jerked from the impact. His eyes widened as the pain registered, then he struggled to breathe as he grasped his neck and dropped to the marble floor. “You see him?” I screamed at my staff in English. “That’s what happens when you don’t follow orders!”
“Sí—” Another man started to speak, and I glared at him. “Yes,” he quickly corrected himself. “The woman used the restroom to do her live video. We did not know she was on the other side of the wall from where we watched for her.”
“Well, now you won’t know anything.” I shot him in the head, and the rest of the men stayed silent. “¡Mierda!” The bullet wound in my foot throbbed and switched between hot and cold pain.
“Bruno?” Sully Sanchez appeared. He stood in the doorway of the house I owned, less than ten minutes from the border. “Bruno,” he repeated, “you need to see a doctor.”
“No, I need all of you to do your jobs,” I snarled at him, happy to have someone new to lash out at. Sweat clung to my forehead and dripped down the back of my neck. The loss of Nicole and that child fueled me.
“I explained from the very start that Nicole was up to the task of finding that child for you. As a war correspondent for the Washington Post, she has resources I can’t even come close to. I couldn’t get within ten feet of Rafael Cruz, in spite of the fact it was my own damn party.” Sully dropped his hands to his sides and opened his mouth to say something, then stopped.
“What?” I fought the urge to pass out from the pain in my foot and cursed that damn woman who’d caused it. I took a deep breath. “Say it.”
“Okay.” He stepped farther into the small room. The click of his heels echoed off the plastered green walls. He stopped and looked around, no doubt for an exit, then said, “You came on too strong with Nicole again. I warned you.” He held up a hand as if to say hear me out. “Remember what we talked about before all this happened.” His voice stayed even, and I watched him closely. He was within minutes of death.
“Go on,” I dared him, “but tread lightly.” I saw his neck contract.
“Bruno, you went too dark too fast when you first met her. Remember, you sent me in to do damage control, and we agreed you’d back off and keep your distance until I gained her trust. I did, and things were working in our favor. She had no idea you were spinning the press from behind the scenes. You’re a smart man, Bruno. We both know that.”
“Don’t patronize me, Sully. You are dangerously close to having your throat cut.”
“I’m only trying to help you.” He licked his lips. “That day you had her brought here and demanded she find that child and bring him to you, you set our progress back about three years. You should’ve sent Nando. You could have been with her instead of having her run off on her own. You lost an opportunity to get her back into your life.” He held his hands up. “And, well, here we are.”
The nerve. “So, this is all my fault?” I hoped he’d say yes, so I could drive a bullet into his head.
“Bruno, my friend,” he sighed. “What I’m saying is that you need to take a breath and give me a chance to fix this for you. Please, let me see what I can do.”
“He’s right.” My mother strolled into the room, sidestepping around the pool of blood next to my guard.
Sully stood straighter and cleared his throat as he addressed her. “Hello again, Esmeralda.”
“Mother, what are you doing here?” How did she always know how to find me?
“You’re not answering your phone.”
I patted my pockets and wondered where I left my phone. “I must have left it in the car.” I brushed it off and asked my question again. “What are you doing here?”
“Do you imagine even for a moment that I don’t always know what you are up to?” Her movements were graceful, and she oozed power as she lowered onto a chair. Rio, her right-hand man, went directly to the bar to make her a drink. She kicked her crossed legs out and leaned back like she was in control. The men in the room stood straighter and looked nervous. “You need to let Sully help you figure this out. That damn American reporter has caused too much trouble already.”
“But she hasn’t crossed the border yet,” I wanted to shout, but didn’t dare, so my voice stayed even. “I have men at every lane. They will find her. What I need is to wait this out, and when she reveals herself, I will deal with her and that damn child myself.”
“No, you won’t.” Her tone had an edge to it. “You didn’t listen to me all those years ago. You should have killed the little bitch when you had a chance. We’re in this situation because of you.” She reached for the drink Rio held out and took her time as she sipped. “Now, besides sending Sully out to do what he can, what are you going to do about this, son?”
My insides shook as I shifted my weight off my burning foot. My shoes were sticky with blood, and it reminded me of what I’d like to do to Nicole.
“I awoke the sleepers.”
My mother’s brows went up, and her face was intrigued. “About time.”
“Yes, well, these things take time, Mother.” I gave in and lowered myself onto the couch to ease the pain. It did nothing. I felt my clothes stick to my sweaty skin. “I will get you what you want—what I promised you I would deliver. Things just went a little sideways.”
“It’s because you think with your verga,” she pointed to my crotch, “especially around that Nicole woman.” I looked away because I knew she was right. “Everyone out.” She flicked her wrist, and within seconds, the room was empty.
