♡Nia's POV♡
"Go on," he said, pointing at my underwear, as I was about to take it off.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. A man walked in and said, "It's time, boss." Juan quickly jumped down from the bed and left the room.
I started breathing heavily and hastily picked up my dress, quickly putting it on before he returned.
Juan's POV:
"I don't trust that woman," Guzman said. "They will be looking for her. She's an American, a gringa," he added.
"You worry about the DEA, and I'll worry about her," I assured him
Guzman's words echoed in my mind. I couldn't deny that he had a point. Nia's presence in San Casas was a risk, and I needed to handle the situation carefully.
Nia's POV
As I heard the door close, indicating that Juan had left the room, a wave of relief washed over me. I quickly composed myself and tried to gather my thoughts. What had just happened?
Realizing that this was my chance to escape, I knew I couldn't stay trapped in this dangerous situation any longer.
I looked around the room, searching for any means of escape. My eyes landed on a small window. It was risky, but it was my only option.
With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I rushed toward the window and pushed it open as quietly as I could. I glanced outside, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
I couldn't let go because escaping would also mean putting little Diego's and Abuela's lives in danger. I had to find a way to protect them and find Sofia.
Running away had been my go-to strategy for dealing with problems since I was little, but this time, I couldn't rely on that alone. I had to take action. I had to save my family, and staying was the first step toward unraveling the truth and securing their safety.
Immediately as he entered the room, I froze in fear. He could tell I was contemplating my next move; my eyes were filled with desperation…
"I would help you find Sofia if you promise to do whatever I ask you to do. We make a deal. I find Sofia, she pays me the money, and we're done," he stated firmly, laying out the terms of our agreement.
My eyes widened in surprise, clearly caught off guard by his proposition. I stammered, my voice trembling, "What... What are you saying?" I asked.
"Thank you," I added, expressing my gratitude. "But in return, I need your cooperation. There are things you will have to do for me," he clarified.
I hesitated, torn between trusting him and maintaining my suspicions. I was well aware that putting my complete trust in him might be risky, but I also recognized that my options were limited. After a moment of contemplation, I reluctantly nodded, signaling my agreement.
"Good," he replied, a hint of relief evident in his voice. "You have to come with me, and then we can discuss the details," he said to me.
I knew I still couldn't trust him. He was present during the incident, and he might be the mastermind behind it all. I had a burning question that needed an answer. "Can I ask a quick question?" I said, seeking his permission.
He nodded reluctantly, allowing me to proceed.
"Why did you initiate the attack? Did you have your own agenda? You caused all of this. You took Sofia away from me," I exclaimed, anger and resentment filling my voice.
"I did it to keep everyone safe. This is Sancasas; you can't trust anyone. There were terrorists there, planning to blow up the building. But I initiated the attack to evacuate everyone. If I hadn't planned it, you would be dead too," he explained.
"But... but you killed people in there," I said, shivering at the thought.
"Those were Mencia's men. I had to retrieve the bomb before it was activated. You don't have to trust me," he said, his tone firm. "If you truly want to find your friend, you have no choice."
"Fine, okay? Deal," I reluctantly agreed. "But I can't leave Diego and Abuela alone here. They're not safe."
"Don't worry about them. I'll assign Omar and Isabel to keep them safe," he assured me.
"Okay," I replied, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "We have to go now," he said.
I hurried downstairs and found Diego still in a state of panic. "You're safe," I assured him, giving him a warm hug. "I have to go. I have to bring Sofia home."
I could see the fear in his eyes as he pleaded, "Please don't leave me. Keep Abuela safe, okay?" I handed him my credit card. "If you need anything, take this."
"I love you, little man," I whispered, hugging him tightly.
"Let's go," I said to Juan.
He nodded to his men, signaling two of them to stay behind. I entered the big black van, and he drove off, taking me on the next step of our journey.
The glass was tinted, so I couldn't see anything happening outside.
A few minutes later, we arrived at a beautiful building, and I couldn't help but admire its grandeur. "Wow," I exclaimed in admiration.
Juan signaled for me to get down, and I followed him into an empty room. "You'll be staying here for now," he informed me.
"Thank you," I said as he turned and left the room. I felt a wave of relief knowing that I was one step closer to finding Sofia and escaping this wretched town. Now I understood why my mom had fled with me all those years ago.