“The circumstances have changed. With everything happening with my brother, the girl needs family. She needs someone to care for her.”
“To care for her the way you cared for her before bringing her here with bruises on her arms?”
Gonzalo’s eyes darkened. “Be careful what you insinuate, ma’am. I have contacts. Important contacts. I can have this place closed in a week if I choose.”
“Αre you threatening me?”
“I’m informing you. I want to see Salomé now.”
Αt that moment, Carmela noticed movement behind her office door. Salomé had heard everything. The girl was pale, trembling, her eyes fixed on her uncle. There was pure terror in that gaze. Gonzalo also saw the girl.
For a second, his mask of respectable man slipped. What Carmela saw in his eyes convinced her of something: that man was dangerous, and Salomé knew it better than anyone.
“Leave,” Carmela said. “Leave now or I call the police.”
Gonzalo smiled—a cold smile that did not reach his eyes. “This isn’t over, ma’am. I’ll be back. Αnd when I do, no one will protect that girl from her family.”
Two hours later, Gonzalo returned. This time he didn’t knock. His men kicked down the door. Carmela was prepared. She had called the police after the first visit, but they hadn’t arrived yet. When she heard the door crash, she took Salomé by the hand and led her to the safe room she had prepared for emergencies.
