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CHAPTER 7
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THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 8
Leonel began to feel sick. Sitting in his assigned chair at the celebration, he felt trapped inside himself, as if he were a very heavy, archaic, out-of-sea diving suit. He couldn't focus on anything, nor could he hear with precision the words of the hosts who were joining the stage, who were explaining the functions of that building. He could not take his eyes off Sofia, from whom he moved away thanks to the protocol, now having her on his left, quite a few seats away, sitting there, among the people, looking at him as well. He averted her eyes when he felt a sudden dizziness; he had to inhale and exhale, take deep breaths in an attempt to calm the array of things he felt. He had never imagined seeing her again, never thought would meet her in the United States, let alone that the surprise would sting. She seemed to be smiling and that was worse. «What are you doing here? Since when are you in the country? What are you doing here?!» he reiterated to himself, breathing harder, try
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 9
Leonel was trying to straighten his shirt collar. The least he could do was rip off his tie and toss it aside in severe discomfort. His passenger at the wheel was dividing his gaze between the road and the center rearview mirror, inspecting his boss, who didn't exactly look good back there in the seat. Leonel pulled out his cell phone, typed possessed, and placed the device to his ear. "Stop what you're doing, we need to talk right now!" He fumbled and as with the tie, tossed his cell phone aside on the seat. "Sir, are you ok?" "Just drive to the office," he barked softly, his voice choked. Vos immediately regretted speaking to him like that. The owner of that luxurious vehicle was breathing heavily and couldn't get the image of a smiling—almost crying—Sofia Sullivan out of his head, piercing his soul as he never thought it would happen. It pained him to no end to have treated her in such a cold way, but he couldn't do otherwise. «Where would she be living? I don't think she's
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 10
"She is Miss Sofia's sister," Frank said, handing him some documents. Leonel was in his spacious office, located in a building of only three floors. He liked to go a little unnoticed most of the year, so it seemed perfect, instead of moving to a more luxurious place, to expand what would become his first center of operations when everything went dark in his life, in those moments in which he had no choice but to start growing in other ways to survive. For this reason, the office of businessman Leonel Vos was located inside a mini-mall, something unusual for people like him. To enter, you had to go around the building, go through an electric gate, and follow some security protocols. Many people would think it was his favorite place, or one of them, because of the large amount of time he spent there. "Yes, that's her," he whispered, corroborating the identity by looking at the photo on the documents. She looked a lot like Sofia, only that lady had darker hair. "I saw her a few years
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 11
Leonel saw her again. And not just once. He took his pick-up and headed for the hotel, although he didn't do it right away, he still had to square some things, mandates, with two of his most trusted people, the same ones he found himself meeting with (as so many times) in his office. The businessman thought it could not have been more perfect to leave the mini-mall almost at nightfall. Had he done it differently, he wouldn't have caught Sofia leaving with two suitcases from the three-star hotel Raymond told him she was staying at. Leonel didn't want to do anything was willing to do, but he saw no alternative. He had to convince her to get out of Stone Village and even out of New York State. And he was sure that wouldn't be enough. Getting her back was his goal. He didn't call the sister, didn't want to involve more people, although that woman must have known the whole situation, he thought. Leonel was still angry that Raymond didn't tell her anything. «And what was I going to tel
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 12
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Larry looked at Sophia as he finished placing the crystal glasses in the cabinet after she spoke to him. He looked down the hallway, where his wife and daughters had gone. "I thought you wouldn't ask. Of course, we can talk." The teacher wrinkled her eyebrows at the first thing he said and smiled at the same time. She didn't know what he was talking about but didn't want to ask. "Dinner was delicious," she said. "Fabiola cooks so good." Larry smiled. "I'm sure when she's finished putting the girls to bed, she'll come and check that everything is okay here in the kitchen. She's a neat freak." "And boy, is it worth it; this house is spotless and beautiful." Larry stopped what he was doing. He dried his hands on the dish towel and walked over to the counter to find Sophia already seated in one of the high chairs on the other side of the counter. He remained standing. "I'm not offering you wine today, there's work tomorrow, but soon at..." He lo
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 13
"Very good, you did very well, everyone..." Applause and cheers, plus laughter, were not long in coming each time teacher Sullivan explained what was on the acrylic board. "Okay, okay, okay. Now, pay attention, please. What's the next letter? Let's see." Sofia smiled openly, looking at the faces of all her students. "It looks like a... "n"?" "Mmm... Is it a question, or is it a statement?" She said to the girl who had just intervened, who laughed with her cheeks flushed. "Let's see, who has seen this..." she drew the letter much bigger, it looked like a cute cartoon, "this letter here?" She looked at the girl, pointing to the blackboard with the marker pen. "Which is very similar to "n", that's right. Who can tell me the name of this letter?" She looked at everyone, no one was saying anything. Suddenly, Sofia felt something move on the side of the door. Looked over there, and her smile faded. "EÑE! It's an "eñe," teach'," Jack Patterson jumped; the nephew of Detective Raymond
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 14
Sofia looked to her left and stopped. "Hi, Liam. It's a pleasure," the handsome man said, behind the wheel of a luxurious black SUV, the passenger window down to speak to them, a faint smile accompanying the greeting. Sofia didn't move, she felt as if her skin froze on the spot. "Mommy? Mommy, who is he?" She looked at her little one and felt the vehicle's engine turn off, a door open and close. As if the soles of her shoes had amalgamated with the ground, she was pinned there and could see the man who waved, circled the car, and headed toward them. The ghostly figure was now real. "My name is Leonel," he said to Liam, but he looked at her. Then, he extended a hand toward Sofia. "I owe you an apology." She looked at the outstretched hand, then at his face. Didn't speak right away. "You're forgiven," she said almost in a whisper but did not shake his hand. Leonel lowered it and nodded. "Come on, I can take you." "A ride?" "Yes, a ride. And so we talked." He looked into her e
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 15
Sofia excitedly ran to her room in the cottage Larry rented her so she could calm her nerves without her son seeing her. She felt like a teenager. That afternoon she would no longer be gazing at the cottage as she did each time, still feeling impressed to live in such a beautiful place. She was present at her son's chores, but couldn't find a way to refuse the dinner she was sure Larry and his wife Fabiola would propose. She called her sister and asked to connect with her via video call. Dolores wanted to see her nephew and so she did, but Sofia was feeling impatient. As soon as she could, keeping an eye out for Liam watching something on the living room TV screen, she went back into her room and closed the door. She spoke slowly and quietly so that nothing could be heard outside. "What's the matter? You look so strange." "I popped into Leonel Vos," Sofia said. Dolores, a woman in her forties with features very similar to those of her younger sister, with the difference of her h
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THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 31
Sofia removed the blanket from her face late at night. Larry's party eventually came to an end amidst singing, piano playing, dancing, drinking, and company she never expected. Raymond's sister attended, but her brother didn't, and Sofia thanked God for that, she just wanted to spend the rest of the night in peace, without too many complications already. Leonel looked at her and stayed close all night. They even managed to talk about the campus and things about Liam, who came up to them and was in their company during the cake bite. Larry, for his part, watched them still worried, but he understood that he should not insist on knowing more and that he would give the teacher time to tell him everything herself. Leonel left early and promised that he would see her very soon. He promised her that the men stationed out there would drive her to and from school and that she would work normally because he was sure that Gael would not do anything right away. If he had this plan between his
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 30
Sofia was puzzled by the question. "The video of the tortures," she said. He froze again and approached her. "Sofia, how did you find out what Gael did to me? Didn't he tell you?" "He gave me his cell phone to show me a video." She swallowed thickly, trying not to let her stomach churn again with the images recorded in her memory. Leonel's gaze seemed to tinge with a strange mantle, something unhinged caused him to lose himself for a moment. "I didn't know he was recording." He turned his face toward her, but he couldn't see her. A sort of smile was about to appear. "So... he didn't tell you about it, but... you saw it?" Leonel reacted. "Fuck. Fuck, you saw it!" He put his hands on his head and turned away, turning his back on her, disgusted with himself for creating something as frightening as terror in that woman. "No way, you've seen it all. C'mon, what a fucking asshole!" He continued to wail, burying his fingers in his hair once more. She lowered her head, seeing him exp
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 29
"Sofia, you have a visitor, can we come in?" She listened to Larry and closed her eyes. "Yes, of course, you can come in." The director opened the door. Leonel looked at the woman, he didn't move from the doorway. Now that he was there, he could understand the teacher's living situation. The apartment was small, but it looked cozy. He could see everything quickly, barely detailing things, but seeing her standing there, dressed so beautifully and looking into her eyes, which, despite the distance, he found sadness in them, almost destroyed his chest by the amount of emotions he began to experience. She looked directly into his face, but he could not hold her gaze. "Good evening, Mr. Vos. Well, it is almost late. Larry, have you been having a good time?" The director felt his heart shrink. He witnessed the moment when the businessman passed by her and entered the house, approaching her in short strides. "Sofia, I wish we could talk," Leonel said. The woman still didn't look at
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 28
Leonel got out of his pick-up holding a bottle with a golden ribbon. He was accompanied by Frank. A couple of men were also with him, although they only got out of another pickup behind and were stationed there to guard the main entrance and a little of the surrounding area. At the same time, the van that the businessman had sent for Sofia and Liam was still there, on the same corner. Larry saw him arrive. Leonel arrived at the celebration half an hour after the professor had been at the teacher's house. He approached the entrance to welcome the sponsor. "Mr. Vos." Both shook hands. He nodded toward Loman out of courtesy, receiving the same greeting. "Come in, please." "Happy birthday, Mr. McDonald. I have brought you this present." Leonel handed him the bottle of thick, tinted glass, much like the presentation of champagne. Larry nodded. "Thank you, that's very kind." They moved forward a few steps until they reached the middle of the living room, which was located on the righ
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 27
Leonel wanted to be alone, but he knew that Frank, eventually, would have to come in. When Mark—one of his best men—told him what had happened, he could no longer carry out his chores, Leonel could not concentrate on anything else. He was no longer confronted only with the fact that Sofia was in town, not accepting his invitation to go on a trip. Now it was also about the grave danger she was in by leaving in that car. Also, his brain kept searching for the person who could have told Gael that she and Liam were there and not in Europe. Since she decided to stay, he began to embrace as good the idea of Sofia not leaving the same area, nor staying overnight in other areas too. He even liked the idea of her living at the principal's house, after realizing the teacher and Mr. McDonald had no romantic relationship between them. Cliff figured it out too fast. Leonel was sure that if Gael decided out of the blue to check up on him again, he would find out through those inquiries, wondering
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 26
Sofia was seated in front of a table in a beautiful solarium with incredibly beautiful flowers that she had never seen before. There was peace, but only in the place. Sofia inside was a sea of many things at once. They never hid her face or her eyes, they let her see everything. They had taken off her raincoat, leaving her in a long-sleeved wool sweater, jeans, and boots. They didn't cross words with her at any time. She realized—perfectly—where Gael's house was, where he lived with his wife, of whom she knew absolutely nothing, scolding herself for not having investigated a little more. It didn't matter; she was already there and felt somewhat protected because, at all times, the man who worked for Leonel had followed them. The opulence was extreme. For her, there was too much luxury surrounding them as she passed through corridors and areas of high ceilings, marble floors, the finest furnishings, and pleasant smells, but no people; they didn't run into a single person as she was
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 25
They talked just a little on the subject, she seemed to pretend well to feel open to it, but Larry heard another time about the Cliffs, owning a lot in New York State. He didn't know them, just as many didn't know him closely either, but they were ultra millionaires, creditors of organizations and businesses that even normal people couldn't spot. Larry agreed with Mr. Vos: Sofia had to be careful if a man like the businessman (who had previously saved her life and especially of the same family) was the one who advised her. She told him that was the reason she went to Raymond St. Jhons; that was pleased in a way because he knew the detective. His sister was a friend of his wife's, and at the Stone Village fairs, which were held in May, they almost always overlapped, greeted each other, and shared a word or two; the director liked him. Now, a couple of times, he wondered: «Do those men over there work for the New York Intelligence station or Mr. Vos?» Larry repressed his urge to find o
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 24
Sofia didn't leave. She invested her time in researching everything she could through social networks, the Internet, or referrals about the two men who seemed to be great enemies. One of those men was the father of her son, that fleeting lover she had when she was younger and who abandoned her from the beginning. The other was the one who saved her from him, and a miserable life as well; the same one who was using everything in his power, it seemed, to drive her away. She was no fool. She defined herself as someone who changed, a person with some stages already burned, despite her young age. Sofia Sullivan was another woman. She was pretty sure that something very bad happened to the businessman, St. John's words confirmed it. But she was even more certain that Gael had something to do with everything. After the conversation she had with the detective, she left the house that morning with nervousness. She didn't like to see the black van parked on a corner again. She didn't know if
THE EVIL OF THE GOOD GUYS CHAPTER 23
The young man narrowed his gaze at the device, suddenly changing his grimace. He slowly straightened up as she spoke. "Miraculously, it was me who saw it. I didn't think I could do it, but I managed to catch you with that girl hiding in there. How could you think of bringing a woman into the sentry box? Have you gone mad? Aren't there enough hotels in Albany? How disgusting and unethical!" The young man looked at her with a lot of pallor and bewilderment, also annoyance and harshness. "At least you're still with her?" He didn't answer, barely breathing. "Look, just so we understand each other. You let me in, and I won't say anything to your boss about this." There was a silence that didn't last long. "Come on, Chris, I know what this is like. You and I know what it's like. Leonel upset? You don't want to see him like this. He's going to fire you, but because he feels mocked by someone he "trusts," he won't give you good recommendations, and that's little with what he could do to
