Chapter 4 - The Lion's DenGetting back to their suite was a blur of adrenaline and terror. Every shadow looked like a man with a gun. Every creak of the floorboards sounded like an alarm.
When they finally locked the heavy mahogany door to Mateo’s room, Valeria slid down the wood and sat on the floor, the ledger resting on her knees.
It was 3:00 AM. In four hours, the sun would rise. The household would wake up. And Ignacio would realize the items hadn't just been misplaced—they had been taken. He would lock down the estate and search every room, starting with the servants' quarters.
"Mateo," Valeria whispered, looking at the little boy who sat calmly on his bed, watching her with profound trust. "I need you to be brave for me tomorrow. Braver than you have ever been."
Mateo slowly nodded.
At 7:00 AM sharp, there was a sharp knock at the door.
Valeria jumped, hastily shoving the ledger, the ring, and the phone beneath the heavy mattress. She smoothed down her uniform, took a deep breath to steady her shaking hands, and opened the door.
Standing in the hallway was Ignacio.
Valeria’s blood ran cold, but she forced her face to remain completely blank.
"Good morning," Ignacio said smoothly, though his dark eyes were bloodshot and erratic, darting around the room behind her. "I heard you survived the night. A miracle."
"He was very tired, sir," Valeria kept her voice meek, playing the role of the subservient maid perfectly. She looked at the floor, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Mr. Ríos wants a progress report," Ignacio stated, stepping slightly closer, looming over her. The smell of cedar and bergamot made Valeria nauseous. "Bring the boy down to the main dining room. Now."
"Yes, sir."
Valeria turned and held out her hand. Mateo slid off the bed and took it. As they walked past Ignacio, the boy’s grip on Valeria’s fingers became bone-crushing. His breathing grew jagged. He looked at Ignacio’s hands, searching for the silver ring, but Ignacio wore leather gloves today.
He knows it's missing, Valeria realized.
The walk to the dining room felt like a march to the executioner's block. Guards lined the hallways, their assault rifles slung over their chests.
Inside the massive dining hall, Alejandro Ríos sat at the head of a twenty-foot mahogany table. He was drinking black coffee, a tablet resting in front of him showing shipping routes and stock numbers.
"Valeria," Alejandro said without looking up. "I trust you had a quiet night."
"Yes, Mr. Ríos," she said. She glanced at the doors. Two guards stood inside. Ignacio stood directly behind Alejandro's right shoulder, watching her like a hawk.
Valeria’s mind raced. If she pulled the ledger out now, Ignacio could pull his gun and kill both her and Alejandro before the other guards even realized what was happening. She couldn't risk a shootout with Mateo in the room. She needed Alejandro alone.
"Mr. Ríos," Valeria spoke up, her voice surprisingly steady. "Mateo slept through the night. But... he has drawn something. A picture. He wants to show it to you. Only you."
Alejandro finally looked up. Surprise flickered in his cold eyes. "A picture? He hasn't drawn anything in two years."
"He wants to explain it to you, sir," Valeria lied smoothly. "In your private study. Just the two of you."
Ignacio immediately tensed. "Sir, you have a meeting with the Sinaloa delegates in twenty minutes. You don't have time for nursery games."
Alejandro shot a terrifying, ice-cold glare at his head of security. "You do not tell me what I have time for, Ignacio. It is my son."
Ignacio swallowed hard, nodding sharply. "Apologies, patrón. I will escort you."
"No," Valeria interjected, stepping slightly in front of Mateo. "Mateo is... easily frightened. He made me promise. Only his father."
Ignacio’s eyes narrowed into violent slits. He stared at Valeria, and in that split second, a chilling recognition passed between them. He didn't know how, but he knew she had been in the North Wing.
"Give us ten minutes," Alejandro commanded, standing up and buttoning his suit jacket. "Wait outside the study, Ignacio."
May you like
As Alejandro walked toward the heavy oak doors of his private office, Valeria grabbed Mateo’s hand and followed. She could feel Ignacio’s murderous glare burning into her spine.
The trap was set. Now, she just had to spring it without getting them all killed.
Related Stories
