Mr. Sergio straightened up, a slow, deliberate grin spreading across his face. "Good… question…" he drawled.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a gun. The dull click as he cocked it sent a shiver down Cherry's spine.
"I'll repeat myself, clara y fuerte (clear and loud): now that you know the entire truth, you'll probably want to expose me. And we both know I can't let that happen. So there's a way out."
Cherry's voice wavered. "What way out?"
Mr. Sergio smirked, leveling the gun at her. "If you want her to see her parents again," he said slowly, savoring the moment…
"you'll have to give your life for it. Because when you're dead, you can't expose me. The girl lives, and I walk away clean."
He took a step closer, the barrel of the gun gleaming in the dim light. "But if you choose to leave, I'll take the girl's life first and then yours. Because…"
He leaned in, his breath hot and sharp against her face.
