Chapter 110 - Adrenalina - Fedds
Verónica
El Flaco kissed my forehead several times. I was the only woman among so many giant men; the only short one was Cereza, then my friend, and the rest were tall men, two of them giants.
"You know I'll keep calling you, every day, three times a day."
"What a karma!" I sighed. "Tomorrow I also start working from home, I'll take over the companies my husband left behind."
He nodded, gave me one last kiss on the forehead, and walked away. I watched him leave and then looked at the two men beside me. Cebolla handed his car keys to Arnold; it was clear he would be joining us in Simón's car.
"Before we go, I want to buy some things for Isaac. His baptism is next Sunday." I looked at Miguel. "We are the godparents."
That spark of joy in his eyes wasn't just noticed by me; when I looked at Simón, he saw it too. My bodyguards left, and the three of us stayed behind. With them, an entire squad wasn't necessary; those two were the complete cavalry. After buying everything we needed and wanted, because the three of us ended up buying clothes, toys, and accessories for a fifteen-day-old baby.
When we arrived at the parking lot, we stored everything in the trunk of the car, including the baptism outfit. I sat in the back, Miguel was the driver; he had always been given that responsibility, and I understood why on the day of my husband's attack. We were far from home, it was past nine at night, and the traffic in this city was a disaster.
"Rata, they're following us."
Cebolla's comment made my heart race, and at the same time, their watches beeped.
"Ma'am, stay calm." Simón drew his weapons, and so did Miguel. "Take a detour, Cebolla."
His boss ordered, their attitude had changed. While I tried to control my breathing, they looked so calm. Simón made a phone call.
"Mojón, we're being followed, track Simón's car and come back us up."
"Outside the city?"
The driver asked, they communicated in code, Simón just nodded.
"Why are they following us? And I want the truth, please."
"Several theories."
"Which ones?" I demanded.
"Ma'am," Simón began to speak as Cebolla headed out of the city. "We're in the mafia, I'm the potential successor of the cartel, although I don't want it. I don't know what the boss's orders are. I killed Salcedo, I killed Jaime Jaramillo. They're hunting down the cartel leaders in the country." He turned to look at me.
"Many reasons. Do you trust us now?" I nodded. "Lower the backrest of that seat, take out the bag there, put on the bulletproof vest and helmet. Soon, Cebolla will become a race car driver when we get out of Bogotá. I know you don't like speed, but for God's sake, don't scream, it would distract us."
"Alright."
I did as suggested, and fifteen minutes later, I saw Miguel transform into a Formula One driver. If I closed my eyes, I would get dizzy, and I didn't want to throw up.
"After the toll, we'll wait for them and confront them."
What? Are they going to face them head-on? Don't say anything, Verónica, they know what they're doing, I told myself. They asked for silence, and for once in my life, I would comply. The car following us also picked up speed, trying to catch up. The late hour was an advantage, and the road was deserted. As we passed the toll and took the road to Cajicá, the first shots were heard.
I was just a witness to the movements and synchronization of two experts used to facing death. It felt like an action movie. The two men exchanged glances, Cebolla spun the car around, started driving in reverse while Simón stuck his hand out the window and shot at the two front tires of the car, causing it to flip over multiple times. I was afraid that car would reach us, but I had to admit there was an expert behind the wheel. There was another car chasing us, and further back, another one firing machine gun shots.
"The one shooting is one of ours," said Simón calmly. "Let's see who those bastards are."
Cebolla hit the brakes and began driving straight ahead, going against traffic. It was madness. They stopped and got out as if nothing had happened, while their pulses were racing and their watches kept beeping. The car with Arnold, Gustavo, Churrusco, and Cereza also stopped. They had taken out the bodyguards who were following the car destroyed by Simón. I rolled down the car window to listen and took off my helmet. I watched as Simón pulled out and dragged one guy while Miguel did the same with the other.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't these two scumbags," said Simón. "Can we know what your reason was? It must be a pretty big one to have the balls to face us."
"Damn bastard," said one of the injured men lying on the ground.
"You took the shipment from the prostitutes," commented the man at Miguel's feet. My God, they must be the... what was it? The Contreras.
"Prostitutes!" Miguel shouted, straightening up with his gun in hand, aiming it at the guy's head.
"Diana is no prostitute. See you in hell." He fired four shots into the guy's head and two more into his testicles.
"Damn..." Simón shrugged and shot his captive in the head. "Clean up the mess."
"Yes, sir." When they got back in the car, they looked at me.
"Sorry," I said, shaking my head several times. "I commend you for not screaming, ma'am." I looked at Simón as Miguel started the drive back.
"Not screaming doesn't mean I don't feel like I need to use the bathroom."
The laughter was loud in the confined space of the car. It was contagious, and despite being a bundle of nerves, I couldn't help but smile too.
"And you, what should I call you from now on?" I looked at Miguel, and he met my gaze through the rearview mirror, shrugging. "Dominic Toretto?" The laughter grew even louder.
I couldn't lie; that maneuver was worthy of envy in a movie. When we arrived home, past midnight with countless gift bags, we left them in the living room and noticed Inés kneeling with a rosary in her hand.
"The power of prayer isn't as rewarding as the consistency of doing it," I said.
"If we have hell secured, she has heaven at her disposal," commented Simón. "It's time to rest, ma'am." I nodded.
I gave each of them a kiss on the cheek, aware that every time I did, it was an awkward moment for them, but they had to get used to it. Hopefully, in Inés's prayers, she would ask for them and for the right woman. It was clear to me from the conversation with Raúl that Miguel had a taste for women. Tomorrow would be a long workday, with Diana as my assistant and Gladis as my legal representative for the companies. We needed to get up to speed.
As I entered the bedroom, nostalgia washed over me. Galaxia came to my feet, along with her two puppies. Through tears, I petted them and then put them in their respective beds before climbing into mine with Roland's t-shirt on. I hugged it and inhaled his scent. I could stay busy during the day, entertained with the child, or doing anything, but once I locked myself in the bedroom, all the barriers fell, and I was overwhelmed with sadness for Roland's absence.
"I love you, wherever you are, my love. Sweet dreams."