You ran to him.
“Pressure,” you shouted. “I need pressure here!”
An FBI medic slid beside you, but you did not move.
Mateo’s eyes opened halfway.
He looked at you.
“You came out from behind the crate,” he whispered.
“You’re welcome.”
“That was reckless.”
“You kidnapped me before breakfast.”
“I did not kidnap you.”
“Don’t argue with your nurse.”
His mouth moved, almost a smile.
Then his eyes closed.
“Mateo,” you snapped.
No response.
“Mateo!”
The medic pushed in.
You stayed until they loaded him into the ambulance.
You stayed because Elena was safe.
You stayed because your grandmother was being moved under federal protection.
You stayed because Gabriel’s murderer’s name was now in federal evidence.
And you stayed because, whether you hated him or not, Mateo Lujan had become another bleeding man under your hands.
Three days later, you woke up in a hotel room paid for by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Not glamorous.
Not safe enough.
But quiet.
Your grandmother slept in the adjoining room with a federal nurse nearby. She did not understand why you were all staying there, but she liked the soft blankets and the tiny jam jars from room service.
You had not slept more than two hours at a time.
Every time you closed your eyes, you heard gunfire.
Every time you woke, you checked your phone for updates.
Mateo survived surgery.
Julian survived too, barely, and was in federal custody.
Victor Salas, the man who killed Gabriel, had been arrested in Nevada after the ledger exposed his location and payments. The official story of Gabriel’s death was already collapsing.
The news called the case a “major organized crime takedown.”
They did not mention your name.
You were grateful.
Until the knock came.
Elias stood outside your hotel door.
No sunglasses this time.
No threat.
Just exhaustion.
“He’s awake,” he said.
You folded your arms.
“Good for him.”
“He asked for you.”
“No.”
Elias nodded once.
“I told him you’d say that.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because he also asked me to give you this.”
He handed you an envelope.
Your name was written across the front in careful handwriting.
You almost refused it.
Then you saw the second name beneath yours.
Gabriel Ortiz.
Your hands went cold.
You opened the envelope after Elias left.
Inside was a letter.
Sofia,
There is no apology large enough for what my family took from you. I will not insult you by asking forgiveness.
The ledger includes the full file on Gabriel Ortiz. Federal agents will give you official copies, but I wanted you to know one thing before lawyers turn him into evidence.
Gabriel was not afraid.
He saw two men moving weapons through the back of that store. He took photos. He contacted authorities. He stayed late that night because the clerk was scared and he did not want her alone.
Leave a Comment