In Georgia, Liam had just landed. He dialed Francisco's number.
The phone rang and rang.
No answer.
Liam frowned and stared at the screen.
"He must be busy," he muttered. "I'll talk to him later."
Just then, a tall, muscular man approached.
"Mr. Liam."
Liam turned back. The man said something that made Liam pause. Whatever it was, it grabbed his attention. Without another word, the two walked off together, their conversation growing serious.
Meanwhile, Max checked his own phone nearby, glanced over and said, "Francisco is not picking up."
Diana wrapped her arms around Max's neck and offered a calm explanation. "Maybe he is busy."
Max didn't hide his concern. "Yeah, but I called him so many times."
"He has a flight tonight."
Diana's brows drew together. "Flight?"
Max nodded, keeping it vague. "It's just for business purposes, Diana."
Though Max knew more, he held back. He had promised to respect Diana's boundaries... only tell her what she wanted to know.
"Max, did you see the details of Francisco's new PA?"
"Yeah, I checked, but I didn't find anything suspicious."
"And you said she saved him."
Max nodded. "That's what Francisco told me."
Diana tilted her head thoughtfully. "And I think Francisco likes Hazel so much."
Max replied, "But it won't be easy for Francisco, I guess."
Still curious, Diana asked, "Did he tell her his true identity?"
"No, Diana."
"But I still don't know how many days or years Francisco will keep her with him. He doesn't have any weaknesses. And Emily? That was just an eye-wash for everyone."
Diana, already familiar with Francisco's layered life, she sighed and hugged Max from behind. A small smile appeared on his face, though his mind was filled with questions.
Is Francisco already gone?
Should I call Hazel?
But I don't think Francisco told her about it.
Diana spoke again. "But don't you feel that girl is too naive?"
"Who doesn't know about Francisco?"
Max gave a slow nod. "That's what I thought, but I found out she came from another city. It could be possible she doesn't know him properly."
Diana considered it. "Ah… I hope it is."
She gave Max a soft look. "As long as you check it out, I think there is no mistake."
Their concern faded for a moment when Max and Diana leaned into a passionate kiss.
*****
The taxi came to a sudden stop in front of a building.
In the dim light, it looked abandoned. Hazel stepped out quickly and slipped inside. The interior was just as dark and quiet... empty.
She made her way to a familiar door and knocked gently. After a short pause, it creaked open.
"Hazel!"
"Robert," she said softly, a faint smile touching her lips. Her eyes sparkled with the quiet triumph of a mission completed.
"I think I found it."
Inside, Robert, Ken, and Peter were gathered around a laptop. Hazel's sudden appearance made them look up in surprise, tension flashing across their faces.
"Really?"
"Hazel, you didn't give us any message," Ken said, his voice edged with concern.
Hazel took a deep breath, pulled the USB from her pocket, and held it up. "I found it."
A wave of relief passed through the room.
The four of them crowded around the laptop, their faces tense and focused. Hazel plugged in the USB... inside was everything they had worked for.
"I think here is his entire plan," Hazel said, eyes locked on the screen.
"We need to check it out as soon as possible."
"Tonight he has a flight, and he'll miss it. So whatever we need to do, we need to finish it tonight," she added.
Ken and Robert shared a quick nod, fully understanding what was at stake.
"Peter, check this out," Hazel instructed.
Peter leaned in and began scanning through the files. The room held its breath.
"Oh my God," Peter muttered, eyes widening.
"It is, Hazel," Ken confirmed, his face a mix of shock and relief.
"Thank God, it's a huge thing, Hazel," Robert said.
"We've got this," Peter whispered, pressing his fingers to his lips in disbelief.
The weight of what they had uncovered settled over them all.
"That's it," Robert said.
But Hazel stayed focused. "Robert, first, we need to stop the deals there and catch all the criminals."
"I think Francisco has a big plan for it," she added, her expression hardening.
Ken nodded, adding his insight. "Yes, Hazel. And we need to act when everything is calm. If it spreads too fast, the government won't let us do anything."
He turned and left to coordinate with the others.
Peter's deep voice cut through the silence that followed, heavy with tension.
"But Hazel, in Georgia, he chooses a school."
The words hit like a cold gust of wind. Their faces darkened. Hazel's heart pounded... this wasn't just criminal, it was monstrous.
A surge of anger flared in her chest. She clenched her jaw, eyes hardening as the full horror of Francisco's plan sank in.
He's diabolical.
How could he think something like that?
How could he plan drug dealings in a school?
Hazel muttered the words under her breath.
Ken walked in and took his seat in front of the laptop.
"Robert, Peter, we can easily stop the dealings in Texas because Francisco was about to go there, but it's not going to happen," Hazel said, laying out their advantage.
"And about Georgia?"
"Francisco's men are already there. In Maine, he chose a park."
Each location had a threat. But the school… that made everything more urgent.
They needed a plan... fast.
"I think Georgia and Texas are more important than Maine. Because in Texas, Francisco wanted to go there himself and in Georgia, he chose school."
"The most important dealings, he chose the most sensitive and not suspicious places," Hazel pointed out, her voice firm.
"So, we need to focus in two places most," Peter added, backing her up.
"Exactly."
Suddenly, the door burst open.
Everyone turned sharply.
Rafael stood in the doorway, his presence cutting through the tension like a blade.
"Hazel!"
"Rafael!"
Hazel's lips curved into a real smile. The exhaustion and stress slipped from her face, if only for a moment.
Rafael didn't wait. He stepped forward, gently held Hazel's face, and kissed her.
Hazel kissed him back.
They held each other tightly. In Rafael's arms, Hazel felt safe.
"Love, are you okay?"
Rafael's voice was soft, filled with worry.
Hazel nodded.
Her eyes showed relief, but also everything she'd been through. They held on a little longer, finding comfort in each other.
"Did he hurt you?"
They pulled apart slowly. Rafael touched her face again.
Hazel gave him a small smile and gently patted his back.
"I am okay," she said, calm and steady.
"But that night I thought you would get caught."
"I am sorry. I should not have let you be involved in this mission," Rafael said.
Hazel shook her head.
"No, Rafael. We're in this together. It's our fight."
Ken stepped in, like a firm reminder.
"Now we need to talk about the plan, guys," he said, glancing between them.