Whispers of Deception

His assistant Melissa had sent the details of the venue a secluded estate hidden

t," the message had read. "

t business he sipped his whiskey, the bu

ttention. "Come in," he said,

ng's in place, our contacts in Oaxaca assure

tone measured. "I don't wan

replied before le

am had sent him. Each one had pictures, names, and details of p

ll of quiet strength. The report said she lived in Oaxaca, a small town in Mexico, worked at a caf

aston said to himself.

, but the best in the batch. Melissa his assistant was one of them, she was also a victim of his trafficking operation, but she pr

is focus again, Victor, his

ctor said. "We leave f

Make sure everything

"Sophia Alvarez has been asking abo

, calculated smile. "

-----------------

her window. Usually, their singing made her happy, bu

her younger brother, Leo. He was still asleep, his face peaceful,

pt thinking about her junior sister, Isabella. Three years had passed since Gabriela disappe

g his eyes. "Morning," he said, g

ll smile, "Don't forget your school

nt back inside to wash up and

the bus stop. She waved as he got on t

got to work, serving customers and taking orders. Her c

ired today,

e didn't want to explain the strange feeli

t her mind kept wandering. She couldn't shake the bad

the streets were quieter than usual. She thought about Leo and wh

street, she heard a voice.

ia whispered, he

tle louder this time. It so

und, it led her down an alley. The light

called out, her

Two men stood at the end of th

hia screamed, but the other man covered her mouth. She s

ed it to her face, it smelled strange, and

acking out was the darkening sky

h the faint smell of dust and salt, He took a deep breath, adjusting his suit as he scanned the area.

ving a respectful nod. "Mr

the AC hit his face, and he leaned back into the soft leathe

rs called out to passersby, and groups of people hurried along the sidewalks, Easton's e

ll glass doors reflected the city around it, a doorman rushed to open the car door for Easton, but he didn't

r above gave it a sense of power and wealth, the staff greeted him with smiles, but Easto

rge room. Floor-to-ceiling windows gave him a view of the city lights stretching out t

oor pulled him f

on said without

He stood by the door, his hands behind his b

spark of interest lighting hi

. Our men played a recording of her sister's voice,

d into a small smil

ll at their house. He's a kid, b

id. "No point was

. Put up a good fight, but they managed to get her under

ured himself a glass of whiskey. He took a sip, savoring

almost to himself. "That will

to bring her her

r now, She needs to be scared, unsure of what's coming next. Fear

his face calm

"Make sure she stays safe but unsettl

ston walked back to the window, his glass in hand, th

l in the auction, there was something about her, something that ma