Page 71

“Sasha?” Mrs. Santos called, trying the door.
Shit.
“I’ll take care of her,” Gregorio said.
At that moment, she appreciated having him with her.
While he unlocked the door and opened it a crack, she replaced the leather-bound book and slid the panel back into place.
“What’s taking so long?” Mrs. Santos asked.
“Being thorough. You don’t happen to have coffee, do you?” he asked. Charm was laced through his rich baritone. “Sasha was anxious to get over here to see you, so she didn’t let me stop for a cup. Can’t function without my caffeine.”
“I…”
She imagined the woman trying to peek past him. But she might as well be trying to see around a mountain.
“Of course,” Mrs. Santos said eventually.
After sliding the drawer closed, she did another quick sweep of the bookcases before removing her gloves and pocketing them alongside her phone.
Then she returned to the kitchen.
A fresh pot of coffee was spitting and hissing, and she smiled at her client.
“Black or cream?” Mrs. Santos asked, her voice wavering slightly as she reached for mugs.
“Black for me,” Gregorio replied. The way he handled the situation—redirecting Mrs. Santos’ attention while giving Sasha time to process what they’d found—showcased his tactical expertise.
“And you, Sasha?”
“Cream. Thanks.” Trying to appear calm, she took a seat at the table, across from Gregorio.
The Argentum connection stunned her. If Felix Santos was involved with them, his sudden departure might have taken on a much darker meaning. Was he running from them? Or carrying out some kind of assignment?
Mrs. Santos’ hand trembled as she set a mug in front of Gregorio a couple of minutes later.
Then Sasha accepted hers.
“You think something’s wrong, don’t you?”
“I think your husband may be in over his head with some business dealings,” Sasha said diplomatically.
“Business dealings?” Brenda sank into her chair and curled her hands around her earlier, abandoned cup. “He’s been having a lot of meetings. Sometimes late at night. It’s not unusual for him to get home after midnight, with the restaurants andnightclubs, but he never used to get out of bed to answer phone calls.”
“Has your husband mentioned any new business partners recently?” Gregorio asked. “Or received any unusual phone calls?”
Mrs. Santos twisted her wedding ring. “He’s been taking a lot of calls in Spanish lately. And there was a man who came by the house last week—I’d never seen him before. Felix seemed…afraid of him.”
Sasha and Gregorio exchanged quick glances.
Gregorio leaned forward, and when he spoke, his words were gentle. “Can you describe him for me?”
“Do you think it’s important?”
“Just following up on everything,” he assured her.
As Mrs. Santos gave a brief description, Gregorio paid close attention. But like before, he didn’t take notes.