Page 3 of No Darker Temptation

Most of his childhood had been spent elsewhere, either in Colombia or Argentina and especially Panama as he got older and the shipping business reached new heights. But Barcelona was, for lack of a better word, home base for Salazar. Gaspar and his family were here, which made it a summertime paradise for Lisandro growing up. The house in Vallvidrera where so many birthdays and parties had been celebrated over the years. And now his eldest son’s graduation would be added to that kaleidoscope of memories.

Since he was alone, he could indulge in the bittersweetness of it all in peace. He was proud—of course he was. What father wouldn’t be with a son as perfect as his? Lisandro merely had a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that the little boy he once carried on his shoulders was no longer a little boy. Alejandro was an adult now and the innocence he so cherished in his children would rapidly deteriorate when met with the fiery venom of the real world. In fact, it was already beginning to happen.

Alejandro was steering toward a different path. Slowly but surely slipping down the same slope that plunged Salazar Narvaez into a life of crime. Lisandro comforted himself by saying it was just a phase. Alejandro was growing into himself and with that came rebellion, resistance, and more mistakes than could be counted. Lisandro wanted to keep a tight leash on him but knew trying to reign him in, or oversee what he was doing, would only drive his son further away…

Luckily for him, his phone rang before he could delve deeper into morose thoughts on what should be an exciting day. He reminded himself that this evening’s party was a celebration of eighteen years’ worth of accomplishments. God, he couldn’t wait until his son started university in the fall.

He lifted the phone to his ear and answered. “Amor de mi vida, luz de mi alma.”

“You sound guilty of something,” Gloriana replied. “Did you kill someone? Hide a body in a ditch? I told you to save all the nefarious business until after the party.”

He laughed as he balanced the phone between his cheek and shoulder, trying to readjust the cake box so he didn’t drop it. “Can’t I be in a good mood? Our eldest son finally graduated. We can give ourselves a pat on the back for a job well done.”

“I’ll give us a pat on the back once he makes it through college. We aren’t out of headache territory yet, mi amor. There are still four more years.”

“Maybe he’ll meet a nice girl who can put him in his place. That boy could use a little humbling.”

A burst of laughter left her. Even through the phone, he felt the light and warmth that so often radiated from her and onto him. “Are you speaking from experience?”

“Absolutely. I’d be lost without you.”

“Speaking of,” she said. “Would you mind picking me up from the salon? I think I left my wallet in my other purse.”

“Como quieras, preciosa. I just picked up the cake. I can be there in a half hour.”

“Oh, perfect! I’ll have time to get my nails done too. Can we stop by the children’s boutique I like? You know the one with the white awning and black letters? I always forget the name. I hadn’t realized the shoes I paired with Lettie’s dress for tonight are too small…”

Lisandro hadn’t heard much of what his wife said after.

A man rounded the corner up ahead and he thought very little of it. Or would’ve, if a second man hadn’t followed right after him. Call it instinct or intuition. Whatever it was, it sent Lisandro spinning on the balls of his feet in the opposite direction. He made a right and the street ahead of him was so narrow it could barely fit three people. Up ahead was a row of buildings which meant he’d have to turn again but he was distracted and had already lost track of where he was going. By then, two men had stepped out of the empty shops lining the quiet street.

Gregorio Sandoval came into his line of sight. His cousin stopped and crossed his arms in front of him as his second and third in command took their places beside him, hands already on their holstered guns.

That was when Lisandro finally paused.

“Lisandro? What’s wrong?”

He remembered his wife was still on the other line. Immediately, he dropped his son’s cake and lifted his hand out to Gregorio, a gesture that gave his cousin pause but only for a moment. “Nothing, Gloriana.”

Her name was enough for Gregorio to throw up a hand, commanding the men in his charge to still completely.

Lisandro had minutes, seconds to think through what to say next. A few breaths left to figure out his options, remember how many bullets were left in the gun tucked under his blazer, and calculate the best escape route. But he quickly realized he had to choose between one or the other. Do something or say something. He didn’t have time for both and only one had a guaranteed outcome.

“I was just thinking…of how lucky we are,” he said, voice dropping to a volume only his wife could hear. “How proud I am of our children. They’re perfect. All the good in you canceled out all the bad in me.”

“Lis…” she whispered. “Don’t say that. You’re a wonderful father. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. We’re a team, remember?”

The seconds were running out. He could see it on Gregorio’s face.

“Yes, I know.” He inhaled deeply. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“Okay.” He heard the smile in her voice even without seeing it. “I love you.”

“I love you, Gloriana.”

When the call was over, Lisandro extended his phone before slowly lowering it to the ground. He kicked it across the ground and Gregorio caught it with the tip of his foot before smashing his heel into the screen.

“Perhaps you should call your wife back.”