SANTIAGO
When we pull up to the safe house in Ireland, I climb out of the SUV and glance over the green, rolling hills.
Fuck, it’s beautiful out here.
I wish I could stay longer than three days, but as soon as we’re done extracting the Gleeson family, we have to get back to Peru so I can plan the attack on the sex club in Bolivia.
“I’ll have Manuel set up everything in one of the bedrooms,” Pedro says before walking to the front door.
Shoving my hands into the pockets of my suit pants, I keep staring at the picturesque landscape. We’re out in the country, so we don’t draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. Plus, it’s close to the private airfield where the jets are waiting.
Half my men are guarding the planes, while I have a dozen here at the safehouse with me.
“Everything is clear around the property,” Pedro calls out. “Are you coming in?”
Glancing at my second-in-command, I shake my head. “Bring a chair out so I can sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of the country.”
“Stay with Santiago,” Pedro orders four of the guards. “You don’t let him out of your sight.”
“So overprotective,” I mutter, letting out a chuckle as I turn my attention back to the scenic view.
In the far distance, I see a grouping of trees and something glinting in the afternoon sun. When I start to walk toward it, I hear the guards behind me.
“Where are you going?” Pedro shouts.
Not looking back, I reply, “For a walk.”
Even though it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s not much warmer than Peru right now. I don’t like freezing temperatures, but rather prefer mild to hot days.
Walking at a leisurely pace, I enjoy the peaceful feel of the area, my eyes feasting on the fields and hills. To my left, I notice the road we took to get to the safe house.
When I get close to the trees, I can make out a house peeking through between the trunks. I stop walking when I see a man getting out of a car. He begins to cough and sounds bad. I watch as he leans against the vehicle until he’s able to catch his breath before he walks toward the front door.
Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I quickly turn around and head back to the safe house.
Walking inside, I find Pedro in the living room, and I wait until he’s done communicating with the guards at the airfield.
“Everything okay?” I ask as I take a seat.
He nods. “Did you enjoy the walk?”
“Yeah. Have one of the men keep an eye on our neighbor in the house hidden behind the trees. The man looks like he has the flu, so I don’t think we’ll get any trouble from him.”
“I’ll have Jorge do random checks,” Pedro says before using the two-way radio to contact the guard.
I check the time on my wristwatch, then let out a sigh. “If everything goes okay, the Gleesons should be here at ten pm,” I mutter. “Is there food in the kitchen?”
Pedro rubs his fingers over his jaw, “Maybe some two-minute noodles and water. We haven’t used this safe house in a while.”
My top lip curls up at the side in disgust, and I decide I can hold out until we’re back on the plane before I eat something.
With nothing better to do, I stare at Pedro, who’s two years younger than me. Noticing the gray strands in his black hair, I chuckle. “You’re getting gray before me.”
“It’s because of you,” he mutters.
I let out a chuckle, then remove my phone so I can check in with the other members of the alliance.
Santiago: I’m bored. What’s new?
It takes a minute or so before the replies come.
Leo: Everything is quiet on this side.
Enzo: Get a hobby.
Cassia: You can always come to Greece and help with the massive shipment we’re moving. Knight misses you.
A grin tugs at my mouth. Knight used to be on my payroll before he married Cassia. I miss the fucker as well, but I’m glad he found love.
Santiago: Busy on a job. I’ll try to visit in a few weeks.
When there’s no reply from Dominik, I bring up his number and press dial.
“Hey,” his voice rumbles over the line.
“What’s up?”
“Busy. Grace went into labor.”
I dart to my feet. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It just started minutes ago.”
“Who’s that?” I hear Grace asking.
“Santiago,” Dominik replies to his wife before he tells me, “Let me get her settled at the hospital, then I’ll call you.”
“Good luck,” I reply before ending the call.
“Grace is going into labor.” I pass the news to Pedro.
My second-in-command only nods, his eyes focused on his phone.
“What are you busy with?” I ask him.
“Go for another walk, Santiago,” he grumbles.
I close the distance between us and sit down. When I see he’s busy playing a fucking game on his phone, I smack him upside the head. “Fucker. I thought you were working.”
“I’m about to beat my high score.”
I watch Pedro play the damn game because there’s nothing better to do. Time crawls by slowly, and by the time it’s nine pm, I begin to feel agitated from waiting for the Gleeson family.
“As soon as they get here, Manuel has to get their passports and documents done as quickly as possible. I want them on the plane before sunrise,” I say as I stand up to stretch my legs.
“Got it,” Pedro mutters, finally putting down his phone.
I raise an eyebrow at him. “Done playing?”
“I have to charge my phone.”
When he climbs to his feet to plug the phone in, Jorge pops his head in by the front door. “There’s a car coming up the road.”
Pedro follows me out onto the small porch, and we watch as the car speeds toward the safe house.
Reaching behind me, my fingers curl around the handle of my gun while Pedro takes a submachine gun from Jorge.
Pedro looks through the scope of the weapon, then says, “It’s the Gleesons.”
“Everyone on high alert from here on out,” I order.
A minute later, the car comes to a stop, and Mr. Gleeson gets out while his wife and children remain in the car. “Hello? Uhm…Santiago?”
His greeting sounds like a question, and from the sweat stains under his armpits and his heavy breathing, I can tell he’s anxious as fuck.
I pull my hand away from my weapon, and knowing my men have my back, I walk toward the nervous man.
“That would be me. Did you make sure no one followed you?” I ask.
Gleeson nods quickly, his tongue darting out to wet his lips in another nervous action.
I wave a hand at the car. “Get your family inside so we can get started on your documents.”
He opens the driver’s side door and peeks in. “It’s okay. Get out.”
I glance at Eladio, one of my men who’s like family to me, and say, “Check their luggage for tracking devices.”
He nods and helps Gleeson with the bags, and as they head into the house, I look at Jorge. “Tell the men to get rid of the car.”
“On it.”
I glance around the area before heading toward the front door.
Pedro sticks to my side as I walk to the room where Manuel has everything set up.
Stopping in the doorway, I wait as Manuel orders, “Freshen up and calm down. You can’t look shit scarred on your passport photos.”
I step away so the family can get to the bathroom, then look at Manuel. “How long will it take?”
“Four hours. There’s a fuck-ton to be done.”
I nod before walking to the kitchen. I’m not a big coffee drinker, but right now, I need the caffeine to stay awake through the night.
I turn my head toward Pedro. “Do you want coffee?”
He shakes his head. “I’m good with water.”
“Fucking robot,” I mutter, drawing a chuckle from him.
After I’m done preparing the beverage, I head back to the room where Manuel is busy with the Gleesons and lean my shoulder against the doorjamb.
While I watch Manuel taking photos of each family member, I say, “As soon as the documents are ready, we’ll escort you to a private jet and get you in the air. Once you land in Switzerland, you’ll be met by Malin Ekland. She’ll get you through customs so you’re legally in Switzerland, and after that, you’re on your own.”
Mr. Gleeson nods. “Thank you.”
“You’ll all have new names, and the flight details will show you flew in from the UK. Brian, Emily, Caleb, and Sophie Murphy.” I stare at the children, then mutter, “Maybe consider splitting up for a few years. Sullivan and his men will be looking for a family of four. If you separate from your wife and kids, it will up your chances of flying under the radar.”
“I’m not leaving my family,” Gleeson says. “I’ll lay low so I’m not caught on any CCTV cameras.”
Nodding, I drink the rest of my coffee, watching as Manuel cuts the headshots he took before carefully sticking them in the passports.
Knowing it’s still going to take a while, I drop the empty mug in the sink on my way out of the house. With nothing better to do, I take a seat on the chair, staring out over the dark landscape.
I notice a light shining from the house behind the trees, but it doesn’t hold my attention, and I glance up at the stars.
I see a few satellites moving across the night sky, then suddenly, a shooting star has a smile curving my lips.
Let me find my woman.
It’s the only wish I’ve had since Lorena told me about the woman I’ll share my life with.
Mi Sol.
