Chapter 21 - The Shadows Linger
The peace that had settled over the Ríos estate was beautiful, but Alejandro knew better than anyone that peace in his world was always temporary. He sat in his heavy leather chair behind the massive mahogany desk in his study, staring at a stack of legitimate construction contracts. Over the past six months, he had systematically begun dismantling the illegal facets of his empire. He was laundering his money out of the shadows and into concrete, steel, and legitimate real estate. He wanted a clean life for Mateo, and truth be told, he wanted a clean life so he could look Valeria in the eye without the weight of blood on his hands.
But the underworld did not easily release its grip. There was a knock on the heavy oak doors, and Doña Socorro entered, carrying a silver tray with hot black coffee. Her face was lined with a new kind of worry.
"Mr. Ríos, your associates from the Culiacán faction are waiting in the underground garage," the housekeeper murmured, setting the tray down gently. "They bypassed the main gates. They said it was a matter of urgent business regarding the vacuum Héctor left behind."
Alejandro’s jaw clenched. Héctor’s betrayal had been dealt with, but nature abhorred a vacuum. Without Héctor managing the dirty, violent enforcement of the cartel’s territories, rival factions were beginning to test the fences. They smelled weakness in Alejandro’s newfound mercy.
"Tell the guards to pat them down and bring them to the secondary meeting room. Not here in the main house," Alejandro commanded, standing up and adjusting his tailored suit jacket. "I don't want those men breathing the same air as my son."
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"And Valeria?" Doña Socorro asked quietly.
"Tell her to keep the boys in the west wing until they are gone," Alejandro replied, his voice hardening into the ruthless tone he thought he had left behind. "The cartel business is not dead yet, Socorro. But I promise you, I am going to bury it soon."
