Page 99 of My Desire (Mi Deseo)

“Never take a gamble on my brother’s life again,” I tell them both. I meant for my voice to sound strong and hard, but it comes out sad and broken as one of the camo men grabs me, switching my gun out for his own as he holds me flush to his body.

“I love you,” I tell them softly.

The last thing I see before we’re suddenly falling from the mountain is my brother dropping to his knees and the murderous gazes of my men.

I can’t find it in me to regret my choice; I’ll forfeit my life for theirs a hundred times over if I have to.

THIRTY-FIVE

VICENTA

“La Llorona” by Natalia Lafourcade

The man behind me lets go once we get to the bottom of the mountain after dropping from a sharp cliff with rock climbing gear like some James Bond wannabe assholes. Shots begin to ring out around us, causing the guy to tackle me to the ground beneath an outcrop of rocks.

“Looks like your men aren’t going to let you go so easily.” His accented voice rasps in my ear before shielding me with his body as bullets ricochet around us. More of his buddies come running out of the surrounding woods, shooting upwards as a few arrive on ATV’s. One pulls up beside us, the driver jumping off and yelling in quick Spanish before setting up his scary sniper rifle to cover us.

“Don’t kill them, please!” I beg as my taker grabs me by the arm, lifting me onto the seat of the four-wheel bike in front of him before speeding off as fast as he can.

As we drive away, I notice that none of the returning bullets hit the ATV. Even trying to get me back, my men won’t risk hitting me. I turn back as we get to a road that will take us deeper into the woods and away from the house, hoping to catch a glimpse of my family, but I don’t see them past the trees.

I cry as we continue on, the surroundings a bit more familiar, until we reach the open fields of running horses and a lone stone house with barns behind it.

The ranch.

The whirling blades of a helicopter whip my hair around me as dust flies through the air. I’m yanked off the ATV and shoved down so that I’m running with my head low until we get to the open helicopter.

When I'm in my seat and my taker has buckled me in, he rips his mask off to reveal a handsome face. “Hola,Vicenta!SoyDarío Delagos.”

Um, who?

“Your mother has told me a lot about you.”

I look at him confused, my brows furrowing as I slide my hand down to the button on my belt.

“Do you work for Marío?”

He sits back with his freakishly gray eyes glued to my fingers, a dead voice meeting my ears above the whirling of blades. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Unlike your guys, I won’t hesitate to put you out to keep you in your seat.”

When I fist my hands, his eyes land on mine once more, a charming smile back on his strangely familiar face. “That’s better. Now, I’m sorry this is how we had to meet, but a promise is a promise. Especially to your mom; my father owed her a great debt and collecting youaliveis the payment.”

The way he said the wordaliveleft room for everything in between; as long as I'm breathing, the job is completed as promised. I swallow.

“And no, I don’t work for thatpincheBanderascabrón.” His eyes assess me in a scary way, as though he’s looking at me scientifically. It makes my skin crawl with serial killer vibes.

“Who are you?” I yell as we take off.

He holds up his finger, telling me to hold on, before grabbing a set of headphones. He pulls one on himself then adjusts another set over my ears.

“Can you hear me?”

“Who are you?” I ask again instead of answering.

He places a hand over his chest, covering it with the other as he feigns being wounded. “You mean you haven’t heard of me?”

I narrow my eyes, unwilling to play his ridiculous games.

He sighs and shakes his head as the helicopter swings in a wide turn. I squeeze my eyes shut, my stomach sinking quickly. I really do not enjoy the feeling of being so high up.

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