75. Rafael

When I got off the helicopter, Thiago was waiting. I had him drop me a couple of blocks from the house so as not to put Ruiz or his family in danger.

“Ruiz,” I greet the tall man who opens the door. He has less hair than I remember, but he still holds himself proudly.

“Rafael.” He embraces me. “Look at you. You’re a man. Tall. Broad shoulders.”

I chuckle.

“I think about your mother all the time,” he says with sadness. “If I had been there.” Ruiz shakes his head.

My mother disappeared the day of his daughter’s wedding, when he was off. He was always a good man, and he adored my mother. I’m hoping to take advantage of some of that adoration.

“Not your fault, Ruiz. You were loyal to her to the end. It’s good to see you.”

“It’s been a long time. You’re always welcome at my house, but I’m not sure why you’re here today.”

“I need your help.”

“Come in,” he says, motioning me inside.

I’m comfortable sharing some of this with Ruiz—all of it, really—but his sons still work at the house, as does his nephew. I look around to see if anyone else is home as we enter.

“We’re alone. You sounded upset when you called, so I sent my wife to my daughter’s so we could talk freely.”

Coming here is not without some risk, but he’s sincere. I know he won’t betray me.

“I don’t have much time, so I’ll get straight to the point. Antonio and his wife are being held prisoners at my father’s house. Do you know who would do that?”

He thinks for a moment. “Tomas?”

Tomas?“Tomas is dead. He’s been dead for almost two months.”

His forehead crinkles. “No,” he says, shaking his head. “Your brother went into hiding because Antonio was trying to kill him, so he could take over Premier. Tomas’s been gone, but he’s still in charge. He’s been sending orders through Gustavo, who replaced me as the head of security when I retired.”

Antonio would have never have told me Tomas was dead if he wasn’t. I don’t spend a second wondering about it.

“No, Ruiz. I don’t know who’s in charge, but my brother’s dead. You have my word.”

He puts his hand on my shoulder. “I know you weren’t close, but I’m so sorry. What is it you need from me?”

“I need you to talk to the guards at the house. They trust you more than anyone. I’m not asking them to betray their oath by actively helping me. I just need them to let us inside so we can get Daniela and Antonio out.”

As I talk, the magnitude of the favor begins to sink in. I’m asking Ruiz to risk his life, and the lives of his family. But there’s no choice. Even with a sketch of the interior, we’re not getting in there without taking massive casualties, and even then, there’s no guarantee that we’ll get either Antonio or Daniela out alive.

He lifts his chin, and I expect him to turn me down.

“Rafael, what you’re asking might not be a direct betrayal, but I’ve sent men to their deaths for less.”

I have no doubt it’s true. I’m fully aware of what I’m asking of him. And I know it’s not fair, but I press on.

“If you don’t want to do it for me, or for my mother…” Daniela, forgive me, but I have to do this. I’m sorry. I pull up a picture of Valentina on my phone. “Do it for her.”

I hand him my phone, and his eyes narrow as he gazes at the picture. I chose one with a clear resemblance to my mother.

“Her name is Valentina,” I explain. “My mother is her grandmother. Her mother is Daniela D’Sousa, Maria Rosa and Manuel’s daughter,” I remind him. “My brother raped her when she was twelve.” The bile rises in my throat as I spit out the revolting truth. “My father set it up.” I give it a moment to sink in. “Vera’s granddaughter needs your help. Don’t let her down.”

It’s a cheap shot, because I know he believes he let my mother down, but I’m desperate, and right about now I’d sell my soul for his help.

He stares at the picture for some time before handing back my phone. After what feels like a lifetime, he nods. “But if we’re going to do this, we need to do it right.”

My hand is shaking while I text Cristiano.

It’s a go. Meet us at my father’s. Stay well back from the property until you hear from me.