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"You were curious back there About what I can do"

"Obviously But it’s up to you if you want to tell me"

We walked for a few er now that it was full dark, endless corridors full of shadows I felt very small and cut off from the people who cared about --and to make matters worse, I had to pick one person--only one--to take withinto or what kind of help I’d need

"I don’t mind," Paolo answered eventually

I expected hile white rose sailed out of a nearby vase and floated towardfaintly, I took the blooe as well"

He dipped his head in acknowledgment It made sense that Escobar would cultivate employees whose talents could be weaponized This innocent-looking boy had probably killed with his gift--a sobering thought I’d do well to re eyes didn’t equate to harmless

"Well, thanks for the escort," I said "This is my stop"

"My father will send soht"

That revelation rockedin the older man’s manner had hinted at a paternal relationship To the best of my recollection, he’d treated Paolo like staff

"You’re his son?"

Slim shoulders rose and fell "He has many Most were discarded"

Oh, the irony Montoya went mad because a prostitute aborted his child and he never sired another Escobar appeared to have demon sperm, but he was also a cold, heartless bastard, and he had sons enough to abandon if they didn’t measure up No wonder Montoya hated him, quite apart from their business conflicts It must seem like salt in the wound

On another level, it reinforced my need to be cautious here A man who could treat his flesh and blood like help was capable of da, and I would do well to remember that I’d fallen into the shark tank for sure this tiht," I said then "I have so to do"

How could I ever choose? I had the funny feeling this decision ine

Corine’s Choice

Dawn stole across the horizon Froainst the pillows, I could see tendrils of light Montoya’s men would arrive soon to ask for ht then, there was only one person I could ask Yet I found ht call

Not Shannon I was sure about that As much as I cared, that hy I couldn’t take her with ht never forgivehappily After all, he worked as a cop If Escobar scooped hiues would either mount a manhunt or--after the debacle with his partner--assume he too was on the cartel’s payroll He had a fa ht it seemed precipitous, but unless I wanted theo that way So not Jesse, either

Chuch would never leave Eva, and she was pregnant Plus, they functioned as a unit; I could hardly ask for one without the other

Chance? With the way things ended between us, I had no right to drag hiht of him I hoped he was happy and safe, at least, but if I wanted him to stay that way, I needed to leave him alone Additionally, Nalleli had just cleansed me of all the ill luck, and it made no sense to su

That left only one alternative, as I’d known all along

Since I wasn’t sure where they were taking ave me the willies when I located fresh underwear Escobar just knew too much about me for personal comfort

Paolo came for me shortly thereafter Doubtless that wasI followed hi toward the study, ent all the way through the house to an enor on a distant airstrip

"I’ain?"

"You will not," he said, "until you’ve proven yourself He isreclusive"

This just kept getting better "Okay So do I tell you the name, then?"

He inclined his head "Please"

"Kel--big guy, bald, tattooed--he ith rabbed me I’m sure your dad knoho he is"

"Undoubtedly" His tone iood luck"

I made my way across the veranda, down the steps, and across the field A man in black waited forto the plane I had no idea if ere even still in Texas; the landscape gave ht’ve crossed the border while I was unconscious