Page 123 of Liar

“But won’t that cause war?”

His expression grows somber. “Perhaps. Ignacio can’t fight a war without an army. I’m counting on his men joining the Lobos once they discover the Colombians are backing me.”

“You?”

“I’m in talks with them. A liaison, really, between them and the Pitón Salvaje.”

“The Pitón Salvaje? They hate the Sureños.” I bite my lip and stare at him in wonder. “How long have you been planning this?”

“I decided, the day I met you, to divert the drug trade away from Loreto.”

“Hayden,” I whisper.

“You deserve a safe place to live. You deserve more than this.” He looks away as he speaks and my heart sinks. What else is he not saying? Because there is the one thing. Maybe, if I say the words enough, he’ll do the same.

“I love you. I’ve loved you ever since that first day.”

“I know, Luciana. I know.”

His response is familiar, and just as vexing.

“The Colombians will get an airport on the mainland. The Pitón Salvaje will regain power. That fuck Ignacio will get what he deserves. The Lobos will rule Loreto.”

“Then there will be peace.”

He turns to look at me. “As long as drugs are a source of income, cartels will exist. It’s unpleasant business, but the money made goes far in this country.”

I frown. Partially because I hate how drugs drive economics in my country, and partially because I get the feeling that Hayden has bigger plans, that he wants us to move to Rome.

“It’s done.”

I sit up and spot Diego, Javier, and Miguel briskly walking our way. Seconds later, they’re squeezed into the back seat. Hayden turns the car around and heads away from the warehouse.

“You were exactly right. Ten Sureños were inside, not including the man Javier terminated. The tunnel is state-of-the-art, with an air-system, lighting, and tracks laid.”

“How far do they run?”

“The entire one-thousand meters. Straight into the basement of an evangelistic church on the other side of the border. It’s ready to be used.”

I think of the boy on the bicycle. How his life was about to change for the worse. Sureños coming and going, trucks with drugs pulling in and out. The potential for violence everywhere.

“I set the timer for thirty minutes, like you asked.” I roll my eyes. Blowing things up agrees with my brother.

Hayden checks the rearview mirror. “Fuck.”

Dread washes over me at his abrupt change in manner. “What is it?”

“We’ve got company. Javier, call for backup.” He hits the gas and speeds up while Javier gets on the phone. “Do exactly as I say. Understand?”

I nod. It’s not what my husband has to say that frightens me, but the manner in which he’s responding. Everything soft about him has hardened. The Bastard is back, full force.

“Get ready to exit the car with Javier then immediately hide.” He shoves a thick wad of pesos into my hand. “Find a way to Loreto. Wait for us at the Hole.”

“You can’t outdrive them?” Diego questions.

“Ignacio is planning on ambushing us. Thinks he’ll take us by surprise. We won’t outdrive them. He probably has multiple cars blocking the streets. We’re not getting out of this without a battle.”

"Mierda.”