Chapter 78

Chapter 78
We step out of the shower, steam clinging to our skin like a second layer. Diego dries me gently, his hands deliberate, wrapping the towel around my waist before briskly drying himself. In the bedroom, he guides me toward the closet, his voice calm but commanding.

“How are you looking to dress today?”

I pause, thinking carefully. “Nondescript. Unassuming.”

He nods, pulling black jeans, a dark blue T-shirt, and a charcoal jacket from my side of the closet. My clothes. He never got rid of them, even after learning of my betrayal. He kept pieces of me close, as if he couldn't bring himself to erase me completely. The thought warms me, yet it brings a wave of guilt, too. I had betrayed him, yet here was evidence of his quiet hope, a reminder of his refusal to let go. Did I deserve this kind of faith? The thought both comforts and aches, and I smile softly to myself, a bittersweet expression.

I slip into underwear, then the clothes Diego laid out, after he carefully removes the protective plastic from my back. “Do you have a dark ball cap?” I ask.

He opens a drawer, pulls one out, and tosses it to me. I settle it on my head, grab my burner from the nightstand, and glance at the clock—nine-thirty. Time to go.

I walk to Diego, wrapping my arms around his neck. The movement tugs at my back, but there’s no pain. He loops his arms lightly around my waist as I rise on tiptoe, pressing my lips firmly to his. Pulling back just enough, I whisper, “I love you.”

He leans forward, his tongue sweeping into my mouth, claiming me, before pulling back with a low murmur. “I love you, too.”

I step away, heading for the door, but he stops me. “Hold on. I’ll walk you out.”

I wait as he finishes dressing, then we head downstairs together. Outside, the driver stands by the car, door open. I glance at Diego from the corner of my eye, smiling faintly. He’s always looking after me.

As I slide into the car, Diego leans in, his voice low but firm. “Tell him to drop you off nearby. He’ll wait for your return wherever he drops you.”

I nod, settle back, and give the driver the address Price sent me. “Two blocks away,” I add. He nods, pulling down the driveway, rolling lightly through the gates as they open.

I roll the window down, letting the spring breeze wash over me. The air is warming, carrying the scent of flowers and fresh grass. For a moment, it feels almost normal.

Twenty minutes later, the driver glances at me in the rearview. “We aren’t exactly two blocks away, but given the location, this should be close enough. I’ll stay parked here behind these bushes. Come find me when you’re done.”

I nod, step out, and look down the road. The diner sits in the distance, surrounded by farmland and scattered farmhouses. Out of the way, quiet. Odd place for business, but if they’re still here, they must be doing fine.

The walk takes five minutes. The door creaks as I push it open, the sound sharp in the stillness. Inside, the diner is polished, newer than I expected—no wear, no decay.

Price sits in the far corner, raising his hand. I walk over, slide into the booth across from him, and make myself sound slightly out of breath. "The closest bus stop is a mile down the road. You could've told me—I would've gotten a cab."

He studies me silently, eyes sharp, reading my body language. I keep calm, relaxed, loose. Then his face breaks into a wide smile, his voice booming. "Landon! Hi! How the hell are you? You had us worried when we couldn't reach you after that frantic call."

I shake my head. “I jumped the gun. I thought Diego could tell I was undercover. When I overheard him talking about someone working against him, I panicked. I ran. I went back to my actual home, lay low. When I returned, I realized he was only worried about not being able to reach me. My cover wasn’t blown. He told me about a rival company working against him—it was about his legitimate business.”

I shrug. “I told him I had a family emergency, had to travel quickly, and forgot a few things. He accepted it.”

Price leans forward, thoughtful. “What we can’t understand is—if Diego has legitimate business, why mix with Antonio? And if Antonio is running things, why are you so afraid of Diego? ”

I shrug again, casual but measured. “They grew up together. Friends for years. Diego knows Antonio isn’t clean, but he never interferes. Said it was Antonio’s business, not his. I was afraid of Diego because of all I knew about him on paper. He never showed me an evil side, but I thought that was it coming out when I heard him so angry on the phone.”

Price nods slowly. “So how did you get information on Antonio’s plans if Diego isn’t involved?”

I lie smoothly. “We’d go to Antonio’s house sometimes. I’d wander, snoop, listen. His men have big mouths. They gossip.”

Price nods again. “Okay, Landon. That sounds plausible. We thought you were compromised.”

I smile faintly. “You thought I was compromised, I thought I was dead. But nope. Like a cockroach in a nuclear blast—I’m still here. Still alive. Still undercover.”

He nods firmly. “That’s what we like to hear.”

The door creaks open. My head snaps toward it, the movement calculated. But it’s only a travel-weary couple. Price watches me. “Expecting anyone?”

I shake my head. “No. But unknown men mean they’re trailing me. Suspicious.”

Price hums. “I suppose you’re right. Now, what of this big delivery in a couple of months?”

The server interrupts, setting plates down, filling coffee cups. Price waits until he leaves, then says, “I ordered for you. Hope you don’t mind.”

I look down at the food, hunger rising. I hadn’t eaten much earlier—too disoriented without Diego to stomach it. “This is fine. Thanks.”

I dig in, chewing, swallowing, then glance around before speaking. “Antonio has a delivery coming in worth millions. Pure cocaine. Big enough to get him. I’m working on the details, but a bust this size would be the drug bust of the year.”

Price’s eyes gleam, his hands rubbing together like a villain in a play. “Yes. This could be the drug bust of the year. Good intel. Get us the details so we can plan.”

I nod. We finish eating in silence. Price wipes his mouth, stands, and drops money on the table. “I’ll be in touch. I’ll brief the others, let you know whether to keep course or change tactics.”

I nod again. He turns, then stops, glancing back. “Oh, and Landon?”

I raise a brow.

“Stay in touch.”

I nod once more as he leaves. The door closes behind him, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

They trained me how to lie. Now I’ll use it against them. And I’ll keep doing it, because my greatest motivation is my love for Diego. Nothing trumps that.

I wait a moment, letting the silence settle, before standing and dropping a few more bills onto the table. Payment for the meal, payment for the cover. My mind is already racing ahead. Time to go and tell Diego that he’ll have to put millions on the line. Not real millions, of course—we’ll never send that much. But the illusion will be enough. Maybe he can even use a problematic supplier, kill two birds with one stone.

I leave the diner, the door creaking shut behind me, and step into the cool spring air. The road stretches ahead, quiet and empty, farmland rolling out on either side. I already saw Price drive off through the diner window, so I’m not worried about him trailing me. Still, I keep my pace measured, casual, as if I’m just another traveler passing through.

The short walk feels longer than it should, every step echoing with the weight of what I’ve just promised. Millions on the line. A drug bust of the year. Lies stacked on lies, all balanced on the fragile truth of my love for Diego.

I reach the car, the driver waiting as promised, tucked discreetly behind the bushes. I open the door and slide into the backseat, the leather cool against my palms.

“Let’s go home,” I say, my voice steady, though inside my chest my heart is pounding.

The driver nods, starts the engine, and the car eases back onto the road. I lean against the seat, exhaling slowly, watching the farmland blur past the window. The breeze slips in through the crack of the glass, carrying the scent of grass and earth, grounding me.

Home. Back to Diego. Back to the only truth that matters.