Page pulled the SUV in front of the neighborhood diner and parked. “We’re getting ready to find out,” she breathed out a sigh of resignation as if talking to herself.
“We need a yoga class and quick Page. This stress is enough to send anybody into overdrive.”
Judy took her own deep breath and blew out the stress she was feeling about meeting a stranger with cartel ties. This wasn’t something she was used to doing, even though she listened to Page’s stories of travel and adventure. Stories were one thing; the reality of the situation took it to a whole new level.
“You’ll be fine,” Page said. Reading her friend’s mood—which wasn’t very difficult to do at the moment.
Both girls jumped from the SUV, ready to meet the man who had messaged them. Hopefully, this would be a friendly meeting and a potential prospect for a story. Page had followers who religiously read anything she wrote. She had piqued the interest of the public. There were very few people with the bravery to write about the Colombian cartel, and Page was one of the few who did it with no reservation. If she was scared, it sure didn’t show in her writing.
“Hey, ladies,” the owner of Honoria’s—the neighborhood Taqueria smiled and greeted the two girls who were regulars. Honoria leaned in closer and whispered, “El Guapo over there”—she nodded in Tad’s direction— “has been asking for you.”
“Who has he been asking for?” Page looked at Honoria wide-eyed and anxious.
Honoria raised her eyebrows and chuckled, “La mujer que escribe ‘Narcos Verdad.’ You of all people know South America, Central America, and Mexico have no secrets.” Honoria waggled her eyebrows, “There are eyes everywhere, Chica.” The owner walked away as if she hadn’t just thrown a grenade of truth at her friend. Yes…Page of all people knew ‘La Cultura.’ She knew firsthand that nothing was what it seemed.
Both girls looked over at the booth where a man who was indeed a handsome hottie, was seated, watching them. The eyes were already upon them.
Judy gave a low whistle under her breath, “I’m glad I came. That could be my future husband.”
“Or your future one-night stand,” Page laughed.
“Well, let’s go see. Shall we?” As if there were any questions.
Honoria winked at the girls as they turned and walked in the direction of Tad’s table. This…was going to be interesting. Great time to be on the floor working, watching, and listening. Page and Judy were entertainment at its best. You never knew what these two might get into. She resisted the temptation to sit at the table behind them and eat lunch—better to listen obscurely.
The women sat down on the opposite side of Tad’s table as if it would provide protection from the intense looking man they had come to meet.
Tad stared at them—sizing them up, but clearly, his attention was drawn to Judy. She looked smart. He liked nerdy girls. This one’s intelligence shined through. Her clear complexion with eyes that studied everything around them was intriguing. He also liked the glasses she was wearing. He wanted to take them off and look directly into her eyes. He wondered what those eyes had seen and filed in her memory—a lifetime of learning and curiosity he wanted to delve into. This woman had a brain he would love to unravel.
Along with being a computer whiz, he was an avid reader. He found himself wanting to discuss books with her. Most women read him wrong when they met him—his bad-boy persona showed no evidence of his nerdy side, and it took a woman who was able to see past his outward appearance to get to know him. Most were superficial and just wanted to fuck him. He was tired of one-night stands and needed something more genuine. Some intelligent conversation would be pleasant.
Judy studied the man seated across from her. He was gorgeous. Dark brown hair fell over his forehead, and his hazel eyes seemed to see right through her. It was like he could see all the secrets she’d tried so hard to keep from the public. She was a closed-off woman who wore her intelligence like armor. She was shy, but she was strong as well.
Tad’s face had sharp angles with a strong jawline and lips that were set in a straight line. His demeanor was one of seriousness. He was here to have his questions answered, and he knew how to draw the truth out of those he questioned. A human lie detector of sorts—very few could withstand his intense gaze and rapid-fire questions. Years of working for the cartel had trained him in knowing when someone was lying to him, and he would know if Page and Judy were.
There seemed to be more to the man than just his rough exterior, and Judy was going to find out what it was. The question was: “would he let her?”
Page spoke first. “I’m not sure why, but I feel like you have a story to tell, and we want to tell it for you.” She kept her voice calm and low as if dealing with a predator who might come at her if startled. It was all about respect when dealing with cartel men.
Judy was surprised Page used the word we, instead of I. She resisted smiling. Not a good time for that. The atmosphere was way too intense.
“You’re right. I do have a story to tell, and the two of you are going to tell it.” This wasn’t a request, and neither woman was under the deception it was. His face still looked serious, but his eyes had changed, now, they looked clearer, less accusing, like he’d finally found something he’d been looking for—years of wondering how he could get his story out were finally being answered. He’d done his homework about ‘Narco’s Verdad’ and the woman who wrote it. He was going to tell the world what had happened to his parents. His goal was to find the men who killed his parents and return the favor. The bastards had turned him into an orphan and forced him to work for the cartel. It was okay now. He had forged friendships. It had still been a hell of a lot to thrust on a child, though. His choice had been taken away. That was the problem. He had come to terms with his life. Now it was time to battle the ghosts of his past.
“You lost your parents…” Page’s eyes welled up with tears. She didn’t care about her pride or the stranger seeing her cry. She cared about a man who had been forced to be an orphan against his will. The trauma…it stayed. It was always there, lurking in the shadows like an unwanted guest. There were no hints to ‘leave please,’ the family is ready to retire. It was intrusive. It left a constant ache of being violated.
Page hadn’t finished the sentence when her friend jabbed her in the side. She turned and looked at Judy with accusation as if defending herself because she thought Judy didn’t like her candidness with the situation. When she looked up and saw Mano rapidly walking across the street, understanding flooded her. He looked like he was angry, but he always did, so maybe it was his resting face look. Whatever was rolling off him in waves wasn’t something she wanted to deal with right now.
Judy’s eyes cut at Tad, “Is this an ambush?”
Tad shrugged nonchalantly.
Judy didn’t like the ease of his body language. Arrogant bastard. Any shyness had been pushed aside by her sense of fight-or-flight.
Tad straightened up from his laid-back posture. He needed his story to be told, and pissing the girls off was only going to cause them to not give him what he wanted.
A slight nod of his head so subtle it could barely be seen.
“I’m as surprised as you are. I think he’s following you two. Not me. I haven’t seen Mano in years.”