Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
My grandmother used to read tarot cards. It’s one of the good things I remember from my childhood. People respected her until she passed away from old age.
That’s where my love for tarot cards started. Sure, there are many fake fortune tellers out there, but I know one who’s been blessed with the same gift my grandmother had.
She said she saw me coming when I saved her from being killed because her brother owed the cartel money.
Lorena’s been with me for two years now. Just the other day, she said Maria, one of the other women in the village, is expecting a little girl. She hasn’t been wrong before, so Maria’s preparing for a girl.
Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly before I pick up the glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. I take a sip, my gaze returning to the horizon as the sun continues to rise on a new day.
Absentmindedly, I twirl the diamond ring on my pointer finger, and my thoughts turn to the reading Lorena gave me right after she came to stay on the compound.
She said I’m going to live a long life with a woman who’s like the rising sun.
Lately, I’ve had a nagging feeling the woman I’m destined to be with is in grave danger. I’m beginning to think she might be in one of the cartel’s clutches, and it’s made me double down on my efforts to dismantle the organizations. I’ve been playing them against each other, making each of my attacks look like they were done by another cartel. I’m hoping to start a war between them so the fuckers can wipe each other out.
“Morning.”
I glance over my shoulder and watch as Pedro, my second-in-command, walks toward me.
“Morning,” I say while he takes a seat on one of the other lounge chairs.
His eyes touch on the deck of cards in my hand, and he lifts an eyebrow. “Who do you plan on killing?”
I shove my cards into my pocket. “Whoever gets in our way. I want to take down that exclusive sex club in Bolivia this week. Just like I suspected, the shipment of girls we’ve been tracking from Europe went straight to the club.”
“When do you want to leave for Bolivia?”
“First thing tomorrow. Get the private jet, men, and weapons ready.”
“Okay.” He glances in the direction of the hill where a lone tree stands. “What are your plans today?”
“I’m going to walk through the village and make sure everyone is okay.”
“I’ll have Marc accompany you.”
Picking up my glass of orange juice, I nod.
Standing up, Pedro says, “Reach me on the radio if you need me.”
When he heads back into the house, I absentmindedly twirl the diamond ring on my finger, and my thoughts turn to the woman who’s somewhere out there. Maybe she’s safe, and I’ll cross paths with her in a restaurant, or maybe she’s in a fuck-ton of trouble, and I might get to her too late.
Thinking obsessively about it won’t help matters.
Clenching my jaw, I set down the glass and rise to my feet.
Leaving the veranda, I walk through the villa and out the front door. I notice Pedro is talking with Marc, and a few seconds later, he jogs to catch up with me as I head toward the road that runs through the village.
Even though it’s winter, it’s actually a pleasant day and not too cold.
There are cottages on either side of the road, and the one closest to my villa has been converted into a school. As I approach the open door, I hear Gianna, Pedro’s wife, giving English lessons. At night, she also gives English lessons to some of the adults. The people I’ve saved are all from different countries, so it’s important for everyone to at least speak English.
Reaching the doorway, I glance over the twenty-seven children, all different ages.
Maja, a nine-year-old Polish girl we saved a year ago when we found her and her mother in Colombia, notices me first. A smile explodes over her face, and she darts up from her chair.
“Maja!” Gianna gasps, but when she sees me standing in the doorway, she shakes her head and takes a seat at her desk.
The next instant, all the kids are up from their chairs, and chuckling, I give a few hugs while ruffling the boys’ hair.
“Are you all listening to Gianna?” I ask.
I’m given a bunch of nods, their expressions eager.
“Get back to your seats,” I order, my tone affectionate.
This is where I see the real fruit of my labor, twenty-seven children who are in a happy and healthy environment.
Glancing at Gianna, I say, “I apologize for the interruption.”
“It’s fine.” She smiles at me before I leave the cottage to continue down the road.
“Anything I should know about?” I ask Marc, who’s in charge of making sure no fights break out among the people. If someone has a problem, they know to go to Marc, and he only involves me if it’s something he can’t deal with.