Chapter 2 - The Door Rafael Wanted Open
Ethan killed the lights.
Sofia stared at him. "My father knows you're not who you pretended to be?"
"He knows enough to be terrified."
Rafael pounded again. "Sofia!"
Ethan checked the peephole. "He's not alone."
"Who is with him?"
"Victor Salazar."
The name meant nothing to her.
Ethan's face said it should.
"Salazar is the reason your father had debts he could never explain."
Sofia laughed once. "Dad said the restaurant failed."
"Partly true."
"Mom's treatment drained the rest."
"Also partly true."
"Then what is the rest?"
"Gambling. Private loans. Favors. Information."
Her stomach turned. "Information about Mateo?"
Ethan did not answer fast enough.
Rafael shouted, "He is the reason your brother disappeared!"
Sofia looked from the locked door to the man she had married hours earlier.
"Were you?"
"I was there the night Mateo vanished."
She went cold.
Ethan reached inside his jacket and placed a small silver key in her palm. The number 317 was engraved on one side.
"Union Station. Locker 317. Mateo left something for you."
"If he's alive, say it."
Ethan swallowed.
"He was alive after your father told you to stop looking."
Sofia's knees almost gave out.
The pounding suddenly stopped.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Rafael.
COME OUT NOW. ETHAN LEFT MATEO TO DIE.
She raised the screen.
Ethan read it and closed his eyes.
"Is that true?"
"Not the way he means it."
"That is not an answer."
"No," Ethan said. "It isn't."
He opened the balcony door.
"We need to leave before Salazar realizes your father no longer controls you."
Sofia tightened her fist around the key.
"I'm not going anywhere until I know who I married."
May you like
Ethan looked at her.
"Then start with the locker. Because after you open it, you may decide you never want to see me again.
