The air conditioning’s broken. And none of the windows on the driver’s side work. There’s no radio either but for five hundred bucks the fact that this rust bucket even starts is a miracle— it’s ability to move, a bonus. I’m half surprised it managed to get me this far but that just shows how foreign miracles are. I’m more acquainted with rock bottoms and devils that will trade your soul for all they think it’s worth. The last five—

“Excuse me! Excuse me Miss.” If my yells weren’t enough to signal the two women walking along the side of the road the squeal of my brakes desperately needing a change did the trick.

“Un momento, Mamá. Espérame aqui.” One whispers to her companion before approaching my deathtrap.

I shift to park and lean out the door. As women, despite being natives of Arenas Viejas, I’m sure ‘approach the good side of my sketchy car so I can hear you better’ still sounds off-putting.

“Sorry to bother you Señoritas but I’m a little lost and I’m just hoping for bit of kindness.” I plead, now hanging half out the car but still behind the door.

“The nearest mechanic is about a mile back down this road.”

“I can see why you’d think that, given our sorry state but if you’re still in the giving mood I’m looking for directions. The ones I’m working with are at least two years old so you could understand why I’m more than a little lost.” I push my messy brown hair, damp with sweat, clear from my eyes and forehead and for the first time I get a clear look at the woman in front of me.

She’s breathtaking, easily the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen and that’s despite the last five years I’ve spent locked around men. I’m sure if I’d spent my early twenties jet setting instead she’d still have this effect. Tan skin kissed by the sun. The same sun that betrayed her desert brown eyes to me for two fleeting seconds before they hid under the shade her hand is casting over her face. Enough time to get caught in their vibrance before I lost them the way the moon loses its shadow. I looked to her companion briefly just so I wouldn’t get stuck staring and her gaze followed mine over her slender shoulder.

Protective?

“What exactly ARE you looking for then Mr…?”

“Edgar, Angel Edgar. And it’s not a what more like a who. I’m looking for the Reyes compound. Their boss invited me—”

“Reyes is a common name around here Mr. Edgar. I can think of at least five off the top of my head.”

“And what a beautiful head it is Señorita…?”

“If it’s THE compound you could mean Julio and Jaime’s land. Further down this road up the mountain.”

“That’s right, Julio Reyes. I’m looking for him.”

“That doesn’t make sense. A few years ago Julio was in prison.” The silent until now companion chimes in.

“I hate to drag beautiful ladies into such unsavory topics but I served a bit of time with Julio and he told me to come find him when I got out. Said he’d make a place for me. Now I’m just having trouble finding it.” I turn my attention back in front of me. To her.

“You served time with the Julio Reyes?”—an exaggerated whistle left her plush lips— “You must be muy importante seeing as you know such a powerful man.”

“No ma’am, nothing like that just looking for a fresh start a friend can offer. Maybe a night to start.” She smirks at me and I swear I feel the world tilt slightly.

“Mami mi teléfono por favor.”

It wasn’t until the words left her lips and her companion tossed her the cellphone from the clutch she was holding that I registered how the air pulsed. The screen lit up long enough for her to unlock it and dial a number. She spoke one word then disconnected the call.

“Vamos.”

Just like that three blacked out SUVs swarmed us housing ten men armed to the teeth. Loaded with fully automatic weapons, pistols, while the other three stayed behind the wheel in their respective vehicles but their windows rolled down and I could see their barrels aimed at my head. In fact, every gun in the vicinity felt like it was aimed at me. I didn’t flinch but then again neither did she.

Who is this woman?

“I can understand you not wanting to help me out but this feels a little excessive Señorita. No?”

“Oh contrary, my friends and I are going to personally escort you to the Reyes compound. To see the boss as you so put it. Suficiente! One of you get Mr. Edgar’s keys and we can be on our way.” The guns lowered and she began walking towards the farthest vehicle to climb in.

“I’d prefer to drive my own car ma’am. You see I just bought it and I’m rather protective of it.”

“Even if this…prize… of yours could make it up the mountain, I’m more than happy to offer you a ride. I’m also not sure what about this situation says you have a choice in the matter.” The car door shut behind her and rather than test my new friends’ patience I opted to do as I was told.

The elder of the two women disappeared into the first SUV. Logically I went to the second but when the door didn’t open I realized I’d misjudged. Actually, it was the driver using his pistol to wave me towards the last car that cemented the intuitive leap that gave it away but tomato tomahto. I drop the keys in the hand of the last man to embark before giving him my warning.

“Be gentle, she’s fragile.” With that I shut the door.

We drove for fifteen minute before the mysterious beauty spoke to me again. Maybe she was trying to build the tension the same way police officers did before stepping into interrogations. If I wasn’t busy enjoying the cool air and bottled water maybe I could have pretended it was working.

“So Mr. Edgar, what is this business you have with my uncle Julio?”

“Your uncle? Julio never mentioned having a niece much less one pretty enough to be a model.”

“Cute, Mr. Edgar and you look like a Boy Scout.” The driver snickered and I shot him a glare he caught through the rearview mirror though I doubt it had the desired threatening effect.

I wasn’t lying then, she was beautiful enough to be a model. She looked fresh from a yacht photoshoot in this little matching outfit she’s wearing. If they recruited them on the shorter side. I’m six two and earlier she looked like she’d come up to my chest. Of course that’d exclude the dark brown curly knot perched at the top of her head that adds at least two inches.

“You can call me Angel and since you still haven’t given me your name, can I call you Ms. Reyes?”

“I suppose so, Boy Scout.” She raises her eyebrow challengingly but I’m caught up in the fact that I might be wearing her down.

“It’s just like I told you Ms. Reyes. I served some time with your uncle a few years back and we looked out for each other. When he found out he was going to be released he told me to come find him when I got out so that’s what I did.”

“And what word was the prison rumor mill churning out about Tio Julio’s release?”

“The usual stuff. Evidence disappeared, witnesses either up and died or got amnesia or died getting amnesia you know how that goes.” I shrugged.

“And you’ve spent the last two years?”

“Watching my back, keeping my head down and serving my sentence until my own release just like Julio told me. I got out a week ago.”

“Well we’ll check into that Boy Scout. Hard to believe you were doing six years in Arenas Viejas Max—”

“Five years.”

“—right five years, three of which your sentence overlapped with my uncle Julio.”

The truck came to a stop right before the door was pulled open by a god honest butler. I figured Julio was loaded but I didn’t expect all this.

“Ms. Reyes.” He only greeted her.

“Good afternoon Mateo, see to it that Ricardo escorts Angel here to my uncle. I have other matters to attend to.

“No problema Señorita.” I disembarked but before the SUV could pull off I managed.

“Will I see you again Señorita? I can’t help but feel like I made a terrible first impression but I’d love a chance to do this again. Anytime you want. My availability is open depending on what Julio says.”

“Keep yourself alive and I’m sure our paths will cross again Boy Scout.” She smirked then pulled away.

“Senor Ricardo is on the training grounds with Señor Julio. I can escort you. Right this way Señor Angel.” Mateo oozed professionalism.

“Just Angel is fine Mateo.” It felt weird being called Señor by a man that more than eclipsed me in age. If the grey peppering his head was any indication.

“Very good sir.”

We began the walk along a paved road. Maintained much better than the town roads below. Ms. Reyes was right my car probably wouldn’t have survi—

I have to focus. Mateo is taking me to Ricardo who if I remember correctly is Julio’s son. I’m this close to the doors to Los Hijos de Los Reyes being opened to an outsider like me and I’m distracted. I have to clear my mind of beautiful women with soft tan skin and faces that could wage wars.

Tall steel doors greeted me before long and when Mateo opened them on the other side was the distinct sound of flesh abusing flesh. Several small fighting rings took up the huge gym space with one elevated ring in the middle. At least a hundred men either boxing, knife fighting, or sparring with bare knuckles and right on the platform was my old cellmate Julio.

“Señor Julio, I’ve brought your visitor at the lady’s request.” Mateo voice was enough to rouse Julio’s attention and in seconds this man old enough to be my father was pulling me into a bear hug.

“Angel! Good to see you on the outside mi amigo. How are you?”

“Better now that I’m on the outside thanks.” I slapped his back, the surest way to get him the hell off of me.

“This is mi hijo Ricardo I spoke much of him while inside. He’s still young. A year younger than you I believe. He’s not the leader of Los Reyes yet but maybe there is still time, if El Cuervo steps down.”

“El Cuervo?” I frowned confused.

“Still not dumb enough to get myself locked up. How unimpressive Angel.”

“Blame a string of bad decisions. We don’t all have the luxury of growing in mansions.” I bite back.

“I could still handle you Pretty Boy.” Ricardo challenged brandishing a knife.

“Julio I wouldn’t want to disrespect you…”

“Nonsense, my boy has issued a challenge. When I went to jail and mi hermano died, El Cuervo stepped in and murdered all those who opposed their ascension. Disrespect cannot go unpunished. It must be answered until there is bloodshed or death. Whichever comes first. Anything else implies weakness.”

I responded by joining Ricardo in the ring palming a blade. We went a few rounds as a crowd began to form. Before long he was bleeding at my feet.

A presence hushes the room.

“Cruz?!” Julio silently curses taking inventory.

Dressed differently but still breathtaking.

Her eyes found mine across the room— and that was the last moment I belonged to myself. She nodded then left.

“El Cuervo approves… momentarily. Welcome to the home of Los Reyes Mi Amigo.”