As I enter the lagoon, an instant smile appears on my face as I remember what happened the last time I was here. The treasure hidden up in those caves has nothing on the one that I stole from here. After anchoring, I dive into the water and climb up the cliffside to the cave.
Now that Constantin knows where my treasure is buried, I have to find a new hiding place, so I collect everything. It takes three trips, filling my small duffel bag that I can swim with.
I save the earrings for last, and when I get back on board, I take a closer look at them. At first, I find nothing that would give any indication of a tracker. After only a moment’s hesitation, I pull out a knife and work the emeralds free from their settings. Constantin never said they had to be in one piece when I return them to him. That’s where I find one hidden underneath each of them. Tiny, but obviously powerful.
I curse the damn jewelry and toss them aside, swearing again at my stupid luck. Then again, it’s probably best that they ended up with me instead of one of the others. At least I have a plan for how to handle Constantin.
The sun is already past the midpoint in the sky by the time I leave so I speed back to Barcelona. Before I can set all my plans in motion, I have a plane to catch.
There’s just one more obligation I have to take care of.
Chapter Forty-Eight Enrique
“You made it just in time, I see.”
I smile at my mother as she walks over to hug me. Actually, it isn’t so much a hug as her taking my shoulders and whispering a kiss on either cheek. Mustn’t sully the makeup. Especially when it’s so professionally done.
Ava Marín is as sophisticated as they come. She presents the perfect image for Marín Properties: successful, upscale, desirable. Her blonde hair, professionally dyed these days, is twisted at the nape of her neck without a single strand of hair out of place. The simple white, halter dress, held up by a gold loop at the neck, highlights her perfectly maintained body.
“It’s your anniversary. Of course I’m here,” I reply.
She holds me at arm’s length, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. I’ve changed into an Armani suit before arriving. I’m not jaded enough to assume her inspection is only to make sure I look and dressed appropriately. However, I’m not sentimental enough to think there isn’t a hint of that there beyond the maternal I-haven’t-seen-you-in-ages assessment.
“You brought a gift? Two, in fact,” she says in surprise. “Enrique, we specifically told everyone no gifts. Your father and I have too much already. In fact, we have a bit of a surprise tonight.”
“I’m your son; I’m the exception to that rule. This one is for you,” I say, handing her a small box. Inside is a ruby ring. I had to change the setting of course, just in case the original owner should recognize it. Any guilt I have over gifting my mother stolen jewelry is absolved by the fact that the original owner is, in a way, a thief himself. Besides, red is her favorite color.
“I will open it later. Come, come, the guests have just started to arrive.” She takes my hand and leads me into the grand foyer of the house that I grew up in. The pool beyond the large, open living area is lit up, and lanterns strung around it provide ample lighting for the guests mingling outside.
“Enrique, son!” My father announces as my mother gets near enough for him to notice us. He pulls me in for a firm hug. A sure sign he’s already been drinking.
My father is the charm beside the beauty that is my mother. His personality makes him more attractive than he really is. Even as a child I preferred his jovial inclinations rather than the subdued standoffishness of my mother.
“Happy anniversary,” I say, handing him his gift.
“A gift! What a nice surprise,” he says, then instantly begins to open it.
I notice my mother’s lips tighten imperceptibly at such gauche behavior.
“A watch!” He announces, holding it up for inspection. Then, he takes a closer look at it. His brow lifts almost comically when he sees the brand. “Patek Philippe! Very, very nice, Enrique. You must be doing well.”
“Business is booming,” I say graciously.
The men around him all chuckle appreciatively.
“My son is in technology,” my father says, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “I still haven’t figured out exactly what you do. What is it again?”
“I handle issues surrounding EC2 auto scaling, cloud formation, SQS and—”
“Yes, yes,” My father says, interrupting me as his circle of guests’ eyes begin to glaze over. I use language specifically designed to accomplish this. No one ever asks for a deeper explanation into what I do for a living. Just in case anyone does turn out to be a tech nerd and ask for more details, I have a website and business address. “Like I said, I don’t know, but it pays the bills!”
He holds up the watch once again for their benefit before putting it on.
“Thank you, son,” he says after taking one more look at it.
“You’re welcome, Papa,” feeling oddly sentimental at how much he appreciates it.
“That was a very impressive gift,” my mother says, guiding me away, no doubt to show me off to her friends. “Your father and I are very proud of you, Enrique. And to think, we were so insistent you come work for us. I suppose it’s all for the best.”
“Yes,” I say tightly.
Once again, her lips press tightly together, no doubt remembering the one major bump in the road I discovered
