AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Of course! Do you have anything to write the number down on?"
Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, I rummage with the other through the compartment for a marker, telling her to dictate it to me while I write it down my arm.
"She'll be so happy about this," Sisi gushes and I assure her there won't be any security risk.
We talk a little more and I hang up, after which I write one more thing under Venezia's phone number.
Girls' date.
Using my phone, I snap a picture of it and I send it to the number Michele had used to taunt Raf in the past.
I'm not completely sure he will get the text, but if he won't, he'll have other ways to find out about our upcoming meeting.
After the display at the restaurant, I have no doubt he's closely monitoring Venezia, and this should pop on his radar right away.
Maybe now he'll understand I don't play either.
He can behave andnotsay a word to Raf, and I can behave and leave Venezia unharmed.
The way I see it, it's a win-win.
Smiling to myself, I check the GPS, noting I'm only one hour away from my destination. If I spend at most half an hour at Alonso's, then I'll have plenty of time to find Ortega's location and be ready for the afternoon when Raf will likely discharged.
Suddenly, the day doesn't seem so bad, and my plans might go smoother than expected.
Soon, I arrive at the location Alonso had given me. From the outside, the place looks like a maximum security prison. A large, steel fence surrounds the property, security everywhere. Immediately, a legion of guards take my measure, asking me all sorts of questions before allowing me inside.
After they confirm my identity, the gates open and I'm led towards a parking lot in the back, a few guards waiting for me to get out so they can lead me to the main area. All the while, I'm mentally memorizing all the features should I need to make an emergency exit—including spying on the codes the guards are using to open the gates.
"Mr. Vasquez is waiting for you in the living room with what you've requested," one of the guys tells me as he drops me inside the house, pointing towards the gilded double doors at the end of the hallway.
"Thank you," I nod, heading there and pushing the doors open.
A high ceiling room painted with the loudest colors, the entire place looked like it had been decorated with the most garish and ostentatious items of furniture. In the middle of the room was a man of medium height, olive complexion, black hair and even blacker eyes.
"Noelle," Alonso exclaims when he sees me. "Hijole, que bien te ves," he opens his arms to give me a hug.
I smile pleasantly, accepting the embrace, though keeping myself still and doing my best to limit physical contact.
"It's been too long Alonso," I add softly, drawing back and taking a seat on a nearby couch. My eyes immediately scan the surroundings, zoning in on the few boxes laid around that likely house the items I'd requested. Regardless of the fact that I consider Alonso afriendof a sort, I can't dawdle, so I'll have to do this fast—take the items and get out of here so I can prepare for the next phase of the plan.
"Let me look at you," he says, his voice tinged with awe as he leans back, his eyes on me as he peruses me from head to toe. "Beautiful as always."
"Thank you," I smile, batting my lashes. "You don't look half bad yourself."
It takes one encounter with the past to thrust me back into my role, the lies rolling off my tongue with such ease, even I am baffled at myself.
"Don't mention it. Can't you see I've put on some weight," he chuckles, pointing to his midriff.
"Are you fishing for compliments, Alonso," I tease.
"From you? Always," he shakes his head, laughing.
"Am I to understand those are the items?" I point towards the boxes, changing the topic. The last thing I need is for Alonso to get the wrong message.
He might have been understanding in the past, but back then the circumstances had offered me a certain protection should he have become more insistent. Protection I don't have anymore. As such, I do need to tread carefully and keep my eyes open for all potential exits.
"Indeed, they are. But first let's have a chat. We haven't talked in so long, I can't let you leave until you tell me everything. How the hell did you survive?"
