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.After six more moves, a look of triumph flashed across her face.She moved her bishop.“Checkmate.”Diego steepled his fingers as he leaned back in his chair.The pride he felt for her was more than he could have expressed.He gave a slow nod as he laid down his king.“Excellent.”He met her gaze and her look of deep pleasure slid away and she looked down.“Thank you, Grandfather.”“You are a worthy opponent.” He put his hands on the arms of his chair.“Come.Walk with me.”He rose, as did she.When she became a woman, she would wait for the gentleman to pull out her chair before standing.The thought of his granddaughter crossing the bridge from childhood to becoming an adult brought him both pride and a sense of loss.He would miss the little girl she had been, always coming to him for her needs and desires.As a woman she would come into her own, broadening her horizons.He was torn between sending her away to college and keeping her with him.He did not like the idea of her going into the world alone.He had too many enemies and she would be but a woman.She looped her arm through his and smiled up at him.“Where would you like to walk this evening?”He swept his arm toward the stairs that led below.“I wish to see my gardens.”“They are so lovely.” Her skirt flowed around her calves as they walked.“The blooms are magnificent and the perfume flows through me like the song of life.” She played the piano beautifully and he could imagine her fingers dancing over the keys as she breathed in the scents of roses or other flowers from his garden.Daily, Diego’s gardener put together an arrangement and the head housekeeper set the vase on top of the grand piano.Just as they reached the top of the tiled stone staircase, Jaime, Diego’s personal assistant, walked through a balcony that led into the ten thousand square foot home.Jaime approached Diego and Angelina.Diego looked down at his granddaughter and patted her hand.“I must speak with Jaime.Wait here for me.”Used to interruptions, she smiled.“I will be at the balcony.” She walked to the balcony, her back to them.Diego turned to Jaime.“This must be important as you are well aware that I am not to be disturbed when I am with my granddaughter.” His tone held a hint of warning.Jaime did not betray any emotion, as usual, as he handed Diego an encrypted cell phone.“You have a call from Alejandro.He claims it is urgent.”Diego frowned as he took the cell phone, wondering why his only son would be calling.Diego did not answer yet as he never talked business where his granddaughter might hear.He walked into the house, leaving Angelina on the balcony.He worked in his library, across the hall from the archway leading to the balcony.He entered the library, a place that pleased him greatly.He had a love for reading and had books in each of the languages he spoke.He had been raised speaking only Spanish, but in college he had flourished in foreign languages and was now fluent in English, Italian, and French.Every wall of his library was lined with walnut bookshelves filled with books.When he reached his finely crafted walnut desk, he sat in his leather desk chair and brought the cell phone to his ear.“What is it, Alejandro?”“The problem you had me take care of has been eliminated, Father.” Alejandro paused.“However, there is a complication.”Diego narrowed his brows.He did not like complications, especially in dealing with a U.S.federal agent who needed to be disposed of.“What is this complication?”Alejandro cleared his throat.“A woman witnessed it.I believe she saw everything, including my face.”Heat rose up around Diego’s collar.Alejandro did not normally do the dirty work, but this time Diego’s son had wanted to eliminate the agent himself.Mateo had gotten deep into the Jimenez Cartel’s family.Diego and Alejandro had trusted the bastard and had taken him in as if he were one of their own.“You did not take care of this complication?” Diego asked.“John and Pablo went after her.” Alejandro’s voice hardened.“They lost her [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]