Chapter 35
thirty-five
Matias
My life is about weighing risks. Risk versus reward. The danger or the payout? How far can I push and still win? I’ve been pretty good about making solid calls—it’s what’s gotten me this far. Today, standing in this shell of a town, I’m not so sure I can still say that.
But I can say that the risk is worth it.
Because if I win today, I win for life.
Toledo shifts her weight beside me, adjusting a rifle over her shoulder. A desert wind kicks up, blowing dirt and pebbles. If I squint into the distance, I’m pretty sure there’s a tumbleweed scattering between the decades-old abandoned buildings.
“They’re late.”
I nod. “I know.”
“Should we be worried? Are you sure about this?” She asks, peering at me over the sun high in the sky.
To be honest, I’m not sure this is the right choice. “We don’t have a lot of options.”
“We can fight. Our people are up for it.” Yes, I suppose we could do that. For years, all I wanted was the mysterious figure pulling the strings. I wanted to punish them, to take everything from them. Because I had to give everything up after that disastrous raid. But now…
The anger doesn’t bluster like it used to. I got everything I lost back—and then some. And now, more than anything else, I just want to protect it. I want to keep it.
Last time, I made the wrong choice. I chose this. The thrill of the risk. It was the wrong choice, and I lived to regret it, every miserable day. I won’t be making that mistake again.
“I don’t want to risk a fight, Toledo.”
“Yeah, I know.” For the umpteenth time, I’m glad I saved her from that shipping container when I had the chance. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without her loyalty. “Santos is going to be pissed.” She mutters, watching her soldiers posted along different areas of the ghost town.
“Good thing it’ll take him a while to notice.” She snorts at that, no doubt remembering all the ways she’s terrorized him since his accident.
“How long do you think it’ll take him to notice if I stole the bird?” Toledo asks, referring to the modded yellow race car currently in my garage.
“Well, he likes to hold the keys at least twice a day. So…not long.” We smile at each other, and I fight the twinge of nostalgia at the thought of doing this without my best friend. The one who’s seen me go through everything, who’s picked up the slack without complaint.
The one who almost died because of me.
All of that ends today. Santos is home—safe—with the woman I love.
Neither one of them fully know the truth.
I left Natalia in the early light of dawn, kissed her face gently, watched her mouth twitch in an adorable pout as I left her on my side of the bed.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell her anything—let alone the garbled lies I told Santos on my way out the door.
The accident’s changed him. He asks questions now, moves with caution.
I don’t know if I love it or hate it.
Toledo’s radio crackles to life, a warbled voice coming from the black piece that only she can make out. The young woman brings the mouthpiece to her face, muttering something and stiffening when the reply follows a moment later.
Toledo gives me a panicked look. “Santos is coming.”
My brows wrinkle together immediately. “That’s impossible. He’s blind, Toledo.”
“The scout said someone’s driving the bird this way. Who else could it be?”
“That’s impossible.” I tell her, shaking my head. “Do they know what his car looks like or is it just a yellow car?”
The universe challenges me, the unmistakable roar of his engine screaming in the distance.
I know the sound of that car. Toledo gives me a helpless look, adjusting the gun at her side, and my blood slowly turns to ice.
We turn, looking up, watching the bright yellow car race down the canyon in a streak of dirt and gravel.
The afternoon sun glints off its immaculate paint job, the restored nineties coupe gleaming.
“Who the fuck is driving…?” Toledo peers at the car, but it’s useless. The illegal tints Santos installed do a phenomenal job, blocking our view until the car skids to a stop next to the convoy.
The men posted on the outskirts of the site watch the car warily, completely unsure what to expect.
I look at the sky and pray my logic is wrong.
Because that car was parked in my garage. And there was only one person staying in my house this morning capable of driving.
The door swings open, a slender leg poking out, and the sight sends sheer terror down my spine.
Wrong. Wrong. Natalia stands to her full height, the dress she wore last night ruffling in the breeze, and I just about have a stroke. Her—in the middle of this deal—feels like a bucket of ice water to the head.
“What are you doing here?” The question is brusque, even to my own ears, but I don’t care. I eat the distance between us, pushing Natalia back towards the car. “Are you insane? Go back home!”
She doesn’t budge. The wind whips against her face, her chin set stubbornly. Toledo shifts her weight awkwardly, putting some distance between us and motioning our people to give us some room.
“Matias, this is an ambush!” Natalia hisses, motioning at the long-empty mining town around us.
“What are you talking about? What the fuck did Santos tell you?” I’m going to kill him.
“Listen to me!” She insists, a soft hand coming up and caressing my jaw. I push the distracting touch away. “Paco…Paco used to work for Ernesto. Whatever he said…you can’t believe him.”
She’s breathless, panting in my arms as she pulls me towards the cars. “We have to leave!”
“Natalia, Paco works for us now. His loyalty is to money. I know men like him.” I sigh and hang my head. “I know you’re trying to keep me safe, but you need to get out of here. I mean it. Now.” I look at Toledo and jerk my chin at the woman in my arms, stepping aside as she’s shepherded away.
“Wait! Matias, Ernesto was up for parole. He…he may have had an opportunity to cut a deal and get out early.” I freeze. So does everyone else around me. The canyon is eerily quiet as Toledo stills and looks down at Natalia.
“How do you know that?” If what she’s saying is true…that changes things. Paco stayed behind with the bulk of the shipment…a realization that makes dread pool in my stomach. “Who told you that, Natalia?”
She bites her lip. “I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. Just…not here. We have to leave. Matias, you have to believe me, something doesn’t feel right. Call it off.” She implores, eyes shining in the afternoon light. “Please.”
The silence that just a few moments ago felt peaceful sends a shiver up my spine. I suck down a breath and stand tall, aware of the fact that dozens of eyes are on me right now. Even if I wanted to take on this risk…I can’t do it with Natalia in the vicinity.
I scrub a hand across my face. “Pack it up. Let’s go.”
Toledo releases Natalia. She starts stumbling towards me, people moving around us to hop back into the convoy.
Natalia is just a few feet away when awareness prickles the back of my neck.
I turn just in time to hear the whistling. A projectile streaks across the sky, moving inhumanly fast. Too fast to warn her. The clapboard building behind us explodes in a ground shattering strike, a blanket of smoke and debris throwing us into darkness.
Natalia’s face is a few feet away when my vision goes dark.