Page 134 of More than Paper

Thenaivete I once had regarding all these things is gone. Some days, I feel so far into my role, that I struggle to see how I’m going to go back to running a business and living a normal life.

If I don’t get killed first and never get out of this country.

When I do get out, will I be too far gone for Quinn even to recognize me?

I lean into Valeria’s ear. “Stay focused.”

She takes a deep breath and strokes my beard. Her eyes, laced with worry, fill with tears.

I pull her into me and quietly say, “Freedom. We’re close. I need you.”

She sniffles and composes herself. We get out of bed and get ready for another day of the unknown.

More time lapses, and I’m starting to lose track: more deaths, more insight into Alejandro’s business, more longing to feel Quinn in my arms.

We’re hitting close to four months when we finally get lucky. At least we hope we are getting the right intel.

Valeria has made friends with Santiago’s wife, Isabella. One day, she pretends to drink with her. Valeria makes a few comments regarding Alejandro, and after several rounds of stiff drinks, Isabella starts singing like a canary about Santiago and his hatred toward his father. Valeria plants enough seeds with Isabella about her hostility toward Alejandro as well, and it isn’t long before Santiago is waiting for us during one of our long walks.

In some ways, Santiago looks a lot like Alejandro with his dark, cold eyes that are mostly in slits. His voice is gruff like Alejandro’s, and he carries himself like him.

But something tells me that Santiago is more dangerous than Alejandro.

“Why are you here?” Santiago looks at us.

“Visiting. Learning the business to make my father happy,” Valeria states.

Santiago gapes. “You’re a billionaire?’

How does he know?

He pulls out his phone and pulls up article after article about Valeria and me.

“Does my father know this?” Valeria asks.

Santiago shakes his head. “He’s too out of touch with the current ways of the world.”

“Why are you showing us this?” I ask.

“You have money. You do not need Alejandro’s. You are not cut out for this life. Go back to America. Do not try and take what is rightly mine.”

Valeria grabs his arm. “We want nothing of it.”

“Then, why are you here?

“Freedom from Alejandro,” I tell him.

“Freedom from Alejandro?”

We both nod.

“You have no desire to take over the business?”

“No way.”

“Alejandro wants you to instead of me?”

Valeria and I don’t say a word. We do not confirm nor deny, knowing we are going down a slippery slope if he is not genuine.

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