The Paper Swan(34)

“We have been doing business for a long time. It was time we met,” said the man sitting next to Warren.

“Of course. May I offer you gentleman a drink?” Warren got up and walked over to the hutch. Esteban heard the tinkle of ice.

Just then, the door swung open and Skye ran in. “Esteban! I forgot to tell him—”

“Skye!” MaMaLu stumbled in after her, trying to restrain her. “I’m so sorry, Se?or Sedgewick.”

There was a moment of complete silence. Warren turned around slowly to face her. MaMaLu looked around the table and quickly looked away. “Sorry to have disturbed you. Come on, Skye.” She started leading Skye out.

“But—” Skye turned around, trying to see past her father to the place Esteban usually hid.

“Get back upstairs, Skye.” Warren’s voice was dull and flat. “Gentleman, I apologize for the interruption,” he said, after MaMaLu and Skye had left.

It seemed to Esteban that the room was quiet for a long, long time.

“We’ve been compromised,” said the man who had spoken earlier.

“That was my daughter’s nanny. She’s been with us for many years. She can be trusted, El Charro. I give you my word,” Warren replied.

The man next to El Charro whispered something to him. The others spoke amongst themselves.

“We need more assurance than that, especially if you plan on leaving. We have your terms of release, but we can’t afford any loose ends. It’s not just us we’re worried about, you understand? You have a young daughter. I’m sure you wouldn’t want her to be caught up in all this.”

Warren started to say something, but thought the better of it. El Charro had him by the balls. If Warren didn’t do something about MaMaLu, Skye’s life was on the line. He also knew that the only reason El Charro was willing to let him leave was because his father-in-law, Adriana’s dad, had pulled some major strings to help him and Skye get out of the country, away from the cartel. “I understand,” he replied. “I’ll take care of it.”

“The sooner, the better,” said El Charro.

The meeting proceeded, but much of what was being said did not make sense to Esteban. He was glad when the men got up and shook hands.

After they left the room, Warren turned to Victor. “The situation with MaMaLu. Look after it. Nothing . . . permanent. You understand?”

Victor gave a curt nod and followed Warren out. Esteban watched them leave, not sure what was going on, but he knew he had to tell MaMaLu. He had never seen Warren look so worn and dejected.

Esteban waited until the house was quiet before coming out of his hiding spot. It was dark by the time he made it back to the staff wing. As he approached, he saw Victor exit their room. Esteban ducked behind a tree as he walked by. Victor had not been back since MaMaLu had turned him down. Something was going on and Esteban did not like it. He waited for MaMaLu, but fell asleep before she got in.

She drew the covers over him and kissed his cheek. Her heart pulled when she realized he’d probably gone to sleep hungry. “Mi chiquito. Mi Estebandido.”

MaMaLu set the alarm early. She was going to make him a big breakfast. Pan de yema, a soft sugarcoated bread made with lots of egg yolk, dipped in a bowl of thick, cinnamon-infused hot chocolate.

But Esteban never got his breakfast. He woke up to the harsh glare of flashlights in his face. It was the middle of the night, and the room was full of men in dark clothes.

“Esteban!” He heard MaMaLu yelling, but he was blinded.

“MaMaLu.” He stumbled after her voice, but they were dragging her away.

Someone grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. Esteban struggled to free himself, but all he could do was watch as they put her in a car and drove away.

“You’re coming with me.” It was Victor.

“Where are they taking MaMaLu?” Esteban shrugged out of his grasp and glared at him.

“If you want to see her again, you’ll do as I say. Entiendes?”

Esteban nodded. He knew this had something to do with what had happened that afternoon, so he followed Victor into the other car.

“I’m taking you to your uncle, Fernando. You’re to stay there until the situation with MaMaLu is resolved.”

“What situation?” Esteban shivered in his nightclothes as they drove past dense, dark trees to Paza del Mar. He’d left his shoes behind.

Victor did not answer.

When they got to Fernando’s, Victor instructed Esteban to wait outside. Esteban could hear the two men talking. Fernando staggered out. He smelled of piss and cheap liquor.