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“I need you to take me to the airstrip, Carl,” I murmur when Charlie disappears inside with Lucas.
I’d like to say I’m not affected seeing her with him, but I am. I always will be, but it’s time to be the bigger man. To show her just how much I love her by letting her go.
“For?” he questions, looking to Julius for approval.
I grind my teeth. “I am the boss, Carl. Don’t ask questions. I’ll explain in due time.”
Julius shrugs and walks inside like he couldn’t give a fuck less, and I know he couldn’t. The respect my boys had for me flew out the window two weeks ago when I did what I did to Charlie. It doesn’t matter what excuse I give—like there is one—or what explanation I try to tell them, they don’t see it. And I can’t blame them. If the roles were reversed, I’d be acting the same way. It’s one of the reasons I’m going to cut all my ties.
Carl re-enters the driver’s seat, so I slide into the back seat. Luckily, the drive to the airstrip isn’t long, but it still gives me too much quiet time. All I’ve been able to do for weeks is think. Normally, that wouldn’t seem like such a bad thing. But when you’ve done something you know you shouldn’t have, lost the love of your life, and are about to hand over everything else of value, it becomes too fucking much.
Carl didn’t say a word the entire drive, and he doesn’t say a single word when I exit. Again, I’m not surprised. I like to look at Carl as a father figure of sorts. He’s levelheaded, will call your bluff, and most importantly, make sure everything you do is right in some sort of way. At this point, I’ve hurt him too. He thought he knew me better—help mold me into better—and hell, I did too.
As I make my way to the hangar, Carl slowly pulls away. Joseph steps out and eyes me up and down for a quick second. “Mr. Hale?” The surprise in his voice is evident.
I had forgotten almost everyone still thinks I’m dead. It’s easy to forget, to get wrapped up in my own world, especially with everything else going on.
“Joseph!” I pull him into a hug. “I can’t explain now, but yes it’s really me,” I laugh. “I need to make a trip to Mexico. Can you take me?”
Joseph never says no. I’m not sure if it’s because he really does like me, or because I keep him on retainer. I give him enough money monthly to support him and his grandmother tenfold.
He looks me up and down again with a grin. “I don’t get paid to ask questions, so I’ll only ask one.”
I raise a brow at him.
“Does your wife know you’re back? Is she okay?”
I had forgot I introduced Charlie as my wife to him. I chuckle, trying to conceal my hurt, then answer. “That was actually two questions, but yes. She knows I’m back, and she’s okay.”
He nods. “Good. She seems like a good woman, Hale. You have to keep her around.” He winks with a smile as he walks back inside to open the doors.
If only he knew how royally I had already fucked up.
The bumpy landing has me inhaling a sharp breath. Dr. Kelly said nothing was broken, but fuck if it doesn’t feel like it when I’m being bounced around.
I nod to Joseph as I exit the plane. I take the narrow steps slowly, making sure I don’t fall headfirst. I’m still on a cocktail of medicine, but I refuse to let anyone see me partake. I can’t let them know how weak I really am.
I slide into the back of the waiting car and rattle off Omar’s address quickly in broken Spanish. The man nods and takes off. When I pull up, I debate on how to go about this whole thing. I can be honest, or I could throw in a few white lies. Really, it doesn’t matter which route I take. The result will be the same.
I step out of the car and walk across the dirt drive until I’m directly in front of his door. I bang the metal knocker and wait. Within seconds, the same old woman who always greets me opens the door.
Her eyes grow wide for a split second when they catch mine. “Fantasma,” she whispers. Ghost. I may not be able to speak the language clearly, but I do understand it.
I give her a soft smile, trying to portray I mean no harm with the expression.
She hurries away, then returns, mumbling to Omar. When he catches sight of me, he doesn’t seem surprised at all. “Hale.” He nods, sweeping his arm in front of him, inviting me in. “I knew you’d be back.”
I walk inside and wait for him to close the door. As he leads me to the living room, I finally ask, “How’d you know?”
He takes a seat, and I do the same across form him. “What, that you weren’t dead?”
I nod.
“Let’s just say you aren’t as smart as you think. I know someone everywhere.” His confession doesn’t surprise me. I already knew this about him, but I was careful.
“Now, I wasn’t positive because I never believe anything I don’t see myself, but there is no question now. So, tell me why you’re here. I don’t suspect it’s for more supply. Your wife hasn’t been pushing as much with you ‘gone.’” He does air quotations with his fingers.
“I know she hasn’t. We’ve been going through our back supply first. I’m only here to give you a heads-up.”
