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After a few seconds, he sighed. “My name is Santiago Rodriguez.”
“Santiago. That’s a beautiful name.”
“My mother used to say so.”
“And now? Does she call you Viper?”
“My parents are dead. The only real family I have is Manuel.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“You’re not prying, Willow. It’s best in times of combat not to share names with outsiders. It’s possible that could get you killed.” He moved beyond the trees, waiting to see my reaction.
There were no words to describe the beauty unfolding in front of me. On one side there was the deepest turquoise water I’d ever seen, the splash of the waves crashing against the sandy beach exactly as I’d seen in photographs. On the other was a lagoon carved out of volcanic ash and stone, the black edges melding into the water. Surrounding everything were palm trees and flowers tipping their foliage to the bright sun.
“This is… paradise. With these rules, am I allowed to go to the water?”
“Only when I’m here. Okay?”
I nodded, barely paying any attention. I ripped off the tennis shoes I’d selected, racing toward the water. If only things could be different, here for an adventure that didn’t involve hiding from monsters. The moment water rushed over my feet, I laughed, enjoying the moment of happiness. I didn’t care that it would be short lived. This was a magical place.
When I turned around, I threw my arms out, basking in the rays of sun. All the while, Santiago stood stoically, watching everything I did.
“Aren’t you coming?” I called.
“I enjoy watching you.”
“That’s not fair. This is amazing.” I kicked my feet in the sand and stared out at the ocean. I had no idea how long I’d stood in the same place, but when he finally flanked my side, he was even more pensive than before.
“Tell me about your parents.”
The statement caught me off guard. “I’m certain you have an entire dossier on my family.”
“Tell me in your words.”
“My mother started a pharmaceutical company with a friend of hers right out of college. She did so with money from her father’s estate. She was successful at a period of time few women were heading major companies. She bought out her partner when I was a child and has been successful ever since. My father is a corporate attorney. If you’re asking if Castillo was either one of their enemies, I have no idea.”
“Did you mother or father ever receive threats?”
I laughed. “It would assume the dossier didn’t dig too deeply. While my father is amiable enough, he’s also cutthroat. I would say just about anyone he goes against would be considered his enemy. My mother is in a class all her own. She takes bitches out for a spin and creates her own dark magic spells with them.”
“Ouch. I take it you and your mother don’t get along.”
“Hardly. She believed I should follow in her footsteps. The moment I told her no, she basically wrote me out of the will. Her will. Not my father’s. That sexy red convertible you talked about? I sold it a year ago.”
He shifted so he could look me in the eyes. “You’re kidding.”
“The car or the will?”
“Both.”
“A dirty little secret. Doesn’t every family have one?”
“Not quite like that. And threats?” he asked again.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t know. I was out of the house as soon as possible, selecting colleges that were on the other side of the country. I didn’t bother going home for Christmas for two years. That’s one reason I’m surprised not only that my parents paid anyone to have me rescued, but a large enough sum that a secret governmental operation would become involved. Why? I’m nobody on the list.”
“I don’t know the answer to that, but I’ll try and find out.”
