Chapter 135 - Bet - Feddos
Simón
I knew where Cebolla's comment was going, but I didn't say anything. We were in the underground base near Sánchez's estate, a room equipped with lots of weapons. They didn't know about this place. There was a tunnel that led to the highway. Roland had built the estate, and we had access to everything from here.
Luisa would stay here with a group of ten men. I'd leave Cereza in case they needed to escape suddenly. Her priority was to get Luisa out and keep her safe. Gustavo and Arnold were in charge of taking care of the lady, Diana, and Inés, who were at the house. Churrusco was watching and checking the perimeter of Don Fausto's estate, as we were leaving for a week tomorrow. I didn't know how to ask Luisa to be my companion.
"Don't mess with me, Cebolla."
"You know I'm not. I just want to get home. I miss Isaac."
"We sleep at the house every day."
"But I haven't enjoyed my son for two months. He's grown up." I smiled. It was true; my godson had become a chubby little ball.
"Everyone's here."
We had our bulletproof suits. Only the two of us would go to finish them off. There were almost a hundred men. We waited for most of them to be at the estate. If the routine remained the same, dinner would be served soon, and almost everyone would go inside the mansion. That's when our plan would start.
"Simón!" Luisa called.
"Run, your fiancée is calling you."
"Don't mess with that," I muttered.
"I have to put up with your jokes about Diana, and you can't handle mine. Well, tough luck."
"You have more ground covered with your woman than I do with Roland's sister."
"Diana looks at me like she wants to kill me, while Agent Luisa sighs looking at you."
I didn't pay attention. I reached her, who was in front of the computers and TV screens, showing the men guarding the place.
"Tell me, Black-haired." I saw worry in her eyes.
"Are you sure you want to go into that place alone, just the two of you? I have personnel, please..."
"Luisa, let me work my way."
"Your way is very arrogant and risky."
"Worried?"
We were closer than usual. Although she kept a push-and-pull that confused me, I'd be happy if they sold a manual to understand women.
"I don't want to be the cause of my sister-in-law losing her bodyguard."
"Don't worry, I won't take long, you'll see."
"What! Are you Captain America, finishing off a hundred men in half an hour?"
"I'd say twenty minutes." She rolled her eyes, and seeing my seriousness, she stared at me without smiling.
"You're joking, right?" I shook my head. An idea crossed my mind.
"Want to bet?"
"You might finish them, but not in twenty minutes. What do you want to bet?"
"If I finish in the agreed time, will you be my date to a wedding?" She looked so beautiful when she blushed; that color highlighted her lovely freckles.
"I have nothing to worry about."
"And if you win?" I teased.
"I'll give the ring back." I got serious; that was a low blow.
"That's not going to happen!"
I walked away and reached Agent Cooper, who said it would be time soon. I was aware of Luisa's constant gaze. I went to where Cebolla was waiting, took my laptop, and looked up Sánchez's estate. It was just a matter of pressing a few buttons, and the house would be sealed.
At that moment, I would release toxic gas through the air conditioning vents. The house had central air, and the readings on the computer confirmed it was on. We would only have to kill the guys outside.
"It's time."
Agent Cooper gave the signal. Cebolla and I left. I didn't look at the Black-haired, feeling a wave of anger. I didn't want her to give the ring back. It was ten at night, and we synchronized our timers.
"Less than twenty minutes, buddy."
"Don't worry, I'll help you so Luisa will be your date at the wedding."
"Did you hear that, jerk?"
"We all heard the bet, idiot, you had the mic on."
I took the laptop, closed all the steel doors and windows that not even the owner knew existed. Several thugs ran, trying to open the windows. Almost eighty people were inside the house. Cebolla started killing those outside while I hit the button to release the toxic gas. They would all die. Meanwhile, from our distance, we killed those trying to escape.
Not even ten minutes had passed when we checked via satellite if anyone was left alive and detected two hiding very close to us. I signaled to my partner, who understood instantly. We were equipped with night vision, which made the task easier.
He killed one and I took care of the other, there was no one left, the rest must have been dying. We headed to the place where they were waiting, arriving just as they saw the scene of the men suffocating to death, not one survived. I looked at Luisa.
"Nineteen minutes have passed, I'll be back before noon the day after tomorrow, the theme of the wedding is cowboys. It's time for you to meet your sister-in-law." She turned red. "Cereza, drop her off at the hotel. We have to go."
"Understood, boss."
"I'm not a child!" she shouted.
They had to stay until the place was cleaned up. I didn't care what information they would give to the authorities.
"No, you're my Black-Haired Beauty."
I didn't think she could turn any redder. I winked at her and left the place; we had to catch a flight to Bogotá.
"Did you wink at her?" I shrugged. "You haven't done that since Clara." My heart started racing again. It was true.
"We need to get home; there's no more danger. Besides, I'll leave several people to watch over her. They have a flight at one in the morning. We need to rest."
"Take your own advice, you've been sleeping little since you started watching over her."
"I'll have a week to rest; she'll be with me twenty-four hours a day."
"Good point. Only two cities left."
"It's strange, Miguel, I feel like our lives are getting on track now."
"If Luisa gives you a chance."
"I won't be like you, fool, I'll make her my woman, my wife, and the mother of my children. I never thought I'd find another woman who would make me want her so much, to the point of making her my wife."
"Don't you feel like you're betraying Clara?"
"No, Clara is in the past. With Luisa... it's different. I'm not ashamed to admit that Roland's sister has me captivated. I mourned my late wife long enough."
"You're right about that."
"You should do the same. You love Diana, don't let her go. Think about it, we leave in a month. That's the time the lady gave me."
"I'm not worthy of her."
"Do you think I'm worthy of Luisa? No, but I won't be a fool and torture myself for not having her. The one above is giving us a second chance. I had discarded the idea of having children, but since that black-haired beauty came into my life, everything's been turned upside down. The problem is I have a rival, and it's not a man, it's her fear."
…………
Veronica
I hadn't been able to sleep. I had spent the whole afternoon working with Gustavo and Arnold, one handling the finances and already having a scheme to implement a new program that would collect information from each of the companies. I would talk to Simon and Miguel to create it, while Arnold gave me many strategies to increase sales.
Roland had surrounded himself with geniuses, what I loved about my late husband was that he knew it and kept them by his side. Now that I knew a bit more, I could assure that deep down, he had contemplated this scenario. I got out of bed, put on a sweatshirt, and went down to get a glass of water. They hadn't arrived yet. Every time they were on one of those missions, my nerves were on edge. In the kitchen, I found Diana playing with the baby monitor to listen to Isaac.
"Can't sleep either?" She shook her head.
"Though as soon as I hear the car, I'll run out to pretend I'm asleep."
"You're lying to yourself."
"I'm not going to lower myself again."
"Diana, drop the pride. It's obvious Miguel adores you, tease him, push him to the limit."
"I hope to meet someone at the wedding to make him jealous." I smiled at her idea, hoping it worked. "The other day I heard Simon talking about a black-haired woman."
"Something tells me she's the agent Roland contacted. I hope he finds a good woman."
We heard the car, and Diana ran out. I couldn't help but laugh. Just then, Ines entered the kitchen, praying, with her rosary in hand.
"My boys are home. Cereza texted me she'd be arriving at dawn, but the danger had passed."
I hugged her. Not long ago, Gustavo had gone to sleep, and Arnold had left with someone named Sandra. The two of us went to the living room to wait for them. Immediately, Miguel looked around.
"She just ran upstairs," I told him once I hugged him. He smiled.
"So my Minions is a liar." His eyes were shining.
"And you're an idiot," I said. "If you don't get firm with your feelings, you're going to lose her. Face your fears."
"The operation went very well, ma'am," he cut off the conversation.
"Miguel, Miguel, I hope you don't regret it." I hugged Simon. "You must be tired. I'll ask you tomorrow, now go rest. We leave early for La Dorada."
"Ma'am, we leave at noon. I invited Luisa." I smiled, feeling joy.
"I'm glad, Simon. Perfect, we leave at the scheduled time. Now I'm going to sleep."
I said goodbye. They stayed talking with Ines. I was calm now, knowing they were safe and sound at home, though I wouldn't sleep well until Arnold arrived or called. Now I understood the boys' feelings towards the youngest of their group. He was quite a character.