Chapter 24 #2
We were out to dinner a couple nights ago and ran into a couple.
Pasha, apparently, is the bratva’s syndicate accountant, and his wife, Sumiko, handles their legal books.
Turns out she and Pablo dated for a few months.
He tried to talk Sumiko out of a relationship with Pasha.
He admitted it was never because he wanted her for himself.
He never let her see sides of him he’s shown me, but he genuinely worried for her safety. And he wished to piss Pasha off.
It was uncomfortable coming face to face with the beautiful Japanese Brazilian woman.
She has curves for days. It made me wonder if, even with my hourglass figure, Pablo preferred women with more generous proportions.
He sensed my moment of insecurity, and we talked about it like grown-ass adults.
He didn’t make me feel crazy or petty or anything like that for my emotions.
It was refreshing to share my thoughts with him without hesitation.
He made sure I understood that night just how much he enjoys my body. He even anticipated a thought that flashed through my head. No, he wasn’t picturing her.
I’m lost in thought as I scroll through listings on the tablet, not fully paying attention to what I’m seeing. I almost jump when Catalina speaks.
“We can start with this place in Brooklyn. It’s a gentrified neighborhood, but it’s still affordable. Then we can go to the two others in Brooklyn, the one on Long Island, the one on Staten Island, and finish with the one in Queens.”
“I feel bad making you go all over New York.”
“It’s all right. We don’t mind since we do this all the time anyway.”
“Thank you.”
I feel as though I’m forever expressing gratitude, but los Diaz have been far more generous than I could have ever imagined.
They’re nothing like I expected. Though I realized before I arrived in the States, they aren’t the monsters my family indoctrinated me into believing they were.
They’re still so normal compared to any other cartel family I’ve met.
Mamá shielded me as best she could, and I really only spent time with los Aguilar. It was unavoidable that there were times I met other families at events my abuelo and abuela hosted. There were other men my mother dated besides Néstor who were cartel-adjacent as well.
The three of us set off, and Catalina and Luciana fill me in about the first neighborhood as we head over there in an SUV.
There’s another one that accompanies us, full of guards.
We have a guard and a driver with us now.
It’s easy to forget the second vehicle is with us.
But having the armed driver and bodyguard is a constant reminder things aren’t entirely different in New York from Bogotá.
When we arrive at the first apartment, I already suspect it’ll be out of my means pretty damn fast if I don’t find a job like tomorrow.
It’s lovely, and once upon a time with the career I had after grad school, it wouldn’t have been a struggle to afford it.
I wouldn’t have even thought twice before signing the contract.
I had a great job, but I was looking to move onto something else after a few years.
I had several offers on the table when Mamá got sick, and I abruptly uprooted my life to go back to take care of her.
A couple even offered to wait three months for me to return. Eventually, I had to decline both.
“This walk-in closet could double as any additional storage you might need since it’s practically a second bedroom.”
“It’s enormous. I wonder how many clothes the previous owner had to need something with this many shelves and racks.”
It’s not quite as big as you’d see in some reality TV shows about the rich and famous, but it sure feels close considering the relative size of the rest of the place.
“What do you think?” Catalina’s question is casual but direct.
“I like it, but I’m not sold on it. You know what I have in savings is enough for a down payment, but I’m unconvinced I could manage whatever the mortgage would be. I haven’t used any credit in the States in years.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Luciana gives me an encouraging smile. I suppose they work with a few lenders, and at least one of them would give me a favorable interest rate.
We take off to the next place, and it’s much the same as the first one.
I like it, but I’m unconvinced I can afford it without being certain I’ll have a stable job soon.
I feel foolish having the women come out here and waste their time once we’ve seen the fourth place.
Even with the third and fourth places being rentals rather than for sale, I’m not confident it’s wise to get any of the ones we’ve seen.
I assume the last two will be the same as the apartments we’ve visited.
I finally speak up since this is turning into a pointless endeavor.
“I don’t think checking out the last two places will be a good use of time. Everything’s more expensive than it was a few years ago. I expected that. I just didn’t anticipate by how much. My savings won’t go as far as they would’ve a few years ago.”
When I consider how long I was back in Colombia, I realize it was far more than just a few years. I’ve told myself that’s all it was, but it’s been closer to eight years. I was back there longer than I worked full-time in the U.S.
Catalina comes to stand beside me. “I know you’re worried, and I get why.
I won’t suggest you rely on Pablo even though he has the means to get you any place you want.
I get your need for independence right now, but if you need help, Luciana and I are here.
We can guarantee a zero percent interest mortgage. ”
“How is that even possible? Is there such a thing?”
“Usually not, but we know the right people.”
People.
My eyebrows shoot straight up as I look between the two women. It’s Luciana’s turn to explain things to me.
“No, neither of us is going to buy the place for you and then make you feel indebted to us. We know legitimate financiers at reputable banks who owe us favors because of how much business we’ve brought them over the years. It’s easy enough to call in one of those favors.”
“I’ll think about it.”
We head back to the SUV and agree to a late lunch instead of the other two apartments.
Both women live in Queens. They’re actually in the same neighborhood as most of the other top syndicate families.
I learned a wife in another syndicate named them the Four Families.
The Kutsenkos, Mancinellis, O’Rourkes, and los Diaz dominate the East Coast and have influence in the entire world.
We choose a restaurant near their neighborhood. It’s a silent hint of where Pablo and I might one day live. It seems like the only neutral territory in any New York borough.
“It’s been a while since I’ve written a cover letter for a job application. Are they still the same as they ever were?”
We’re at the restaurant, and Catalina sits to my left. I look at her as she answers.
“Sort of. These days, you want to focus on interpersonal skills along with your scientific ones. Like you work well in diverse teams, that you believe in inclusion in the workplace, and that you’re—”
“Wait. Isn’t all of that a given? I mean, I know Colombia isn’t the most diverse country in the world, but we have many ethnic backgrounds and varying social classes. That’s not so different from the States. Do I need to say that because I’m from a foreign country?”
Both women shake their heads. They don’t offer more explanation than that, so I’ll take their word for it.
“How do I explain the years spent as a pharmacist rather than a lab chemist?”
“You can be honest and say you had a shift in career path when you returned to Colombia to help an ailing parent. Now you’ve returned and are ready to resume your original plans.”
I nod.
“What makes you still apprehensive?”
Luciana reads me too well. When I glance at Catalina, I know she sees my trepidation despite how hard I try to mask it.
“I fear they’ll think I’ve been out of the labs too long and that I only merit an entry-level position.
That certainly won’t be enough to pay for a place on my own.
It’s not like I can tell them the type of lab I’ve worked in for nearly the past year.
I explained to Pablo while we were in Switzerland that Humberto made me prove my skills by working for him for several months before setting up the lab.
He made me study and replicate formulas from existing samples.
It pissed Pablo off to realize my involvement stretched back further than he thought.
Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do from Switzerland, but I’m certain he’ll take it out on my abuelo at some point. ”
We know he’s still in New York. He’s contacted Pablo.
My boyfriend, along with Alejandro and Tres J’s, met with Abuelo.
Pablo made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that I do not wish to see Abuelo and that he needs to stop trying because I wouldn’t change my mind.
And if he insisted upon pushing the issue, Pablo would put him on a commercial flight—in Economy—back to Bogotá.
Then Pablo would put him under house arrest just like Humberto was.
It’s kept Abuelo away from me, but he hasn’t given in and gone back yet. Pablo assures me he’s being watched. Los Diaz are tapping all of his phones and email. He can’t conspire to do anything without Pablo knowing about it.
“Keep trusting Pablo like you do, and everything will work out.” Luciana covers my hand and squeezes it as our food arrives.
“I’ve never trusted anyone more. I’ve just known since the beginning that even if he was my enemy, I could still trust him. I’m glad we’re on the same side.”
“He makes you happy, doesn’t he?” Catalina offers me such a maternal smile that my heart aches.
“Very.”
“Our sobrino is like the other men in our family. He can talk a lot, but he doesn’t always communicate well.
When he messes up—which he inevitably will—find patience.
You might not agree with him—and that’s fine—but he’ll consider your wellbeing with the same seriousness and dedication as he does everyone else’s he’s responsible for. ”
“I know, Ana. I admire him for all that he does for others. I’ve seen hints of it since we got here. I don’t know everything about his work, but I know he’s dedicated to the people who rely on him.”
“He’s been that way since he was a kid. He always looked out for the other ninos.
He kept them out of trouble as much as he got them into it.
My nino is damn Houdini reincarnated. Alejandro can disappear from right in front of you, I swear.
It used to give Matáis and me heart attacks when he was little.
It’s why we stopped at one. Pablo would always come, take my hand, and say, ‘Tía Catalina, I’ll help you.
He’s not hiding. He’s hungry.’ He used to make me laugh because half the time he was right.
Even when he knew Alejandro wasn’t anywhere near food, he understood it made me panic a little less. He always knew where his primo was.”
I think about the little boy Catalina describes.
He sounds adorable and sweet. I can almost picture him with his soulful eyes.
I know many people describe them as soulless, but I’ve seen depths of emotion in his gaze I know he reserves for me.
I’ve also witnessed how he can completely shut someone out.
It’s like being shoved out into a blizzard.
It saddens me to think why he’s become the man he is, but in the next breath, it comforts me to know he can be like that. It’s what’s kept me safe.
Catalina, Luciana, and I continue chatting as we eat.
We discuss my résumé and cover letters a little more.
They assure me los Diaz know people in various industries who would want a trained chemist. They don’t promise me a job, but they promise to get my name in front of people who could offer me one.
“That was a wonderful lunch. Thank you, Cat.”
“It’s been lovely spending the day with you, Florencia. We hope we can do it again soon.” Luciana gives me a quick hug and squeeze as she finishes speaking.
The sisters are going home, so they head to the SUV we were in earlier.
Another one pulls up to take me back to Pablo’s place in Manhattan.
I wave to the two women as I approach the vehicle.
I have a guard on each side of me, so I think nothing of the three guys who approach from the front, left, and right.
Catalina and Luciana’s SUV pulls away moments before two men pull out Tasers.
The man coming straight toward me has a gun pointed at my chest. I reach inside my purse for mine.
I might not have a license for it yet in New York, but I still carry it.
Old habits die hard. Pablo gave me a weapon the day after we arrived.
He took me to a private shooting gallery, and I showed him I’m properly trained.
I don’t have a chance to draw it before searing pain lances my back.
It’s near my kidneys, and my knees buckle.
I can do nothing but fall to the ground and watch as men kick my guards in the head.
Then I’m scooped up as Pablo’s men run toward us from the Diaz SUV.
They’re too far away. I writhe in pain as I’m tossed in the back of a van.