"This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen!"

Gen couldn't stop smiling as they looked out from the Observation Area of the southern rim. The Grand Canyon seemed to stretch on forever, shadows painting areas with different hues of earth tones and every so often an outcropping of greenery as if God had flavored the view while creating His recipe for the awesome expanse of images.

"It certainly is spectacular, Gen, do you want to walk around and check out the area?" Root was wrapped in the light jacket she'd brought never considering the temperature drop that went with the altitude. It had gone from 75 degrees when they started that morning to in the 50's. Shaw came out of the Welcome Center with a bag and a smirk.

"I think someone forgot her coat. Here, I got you a present." Shaw held out the bag.

Root looked at her quizzically, then peeked in the bag. A genuine smile lit her face.

"Sameen….. how thoughtful." She pulled a bulky, hooded sweatshirt from the bag.

"I think it's even big enough to go over that poor excuse for a jacket you're wearing." Shaw rolled her eyes and winked.

Root slipped the garment on, then zipped it up. "It feels glorious, Sam, but can you check for any tags? I don't want to look dorky."

"Well, you are a dork, but you couldn't look dorky if you tried." Shaw moved in close, grabbed the collar of Root's sweatshirt and adjusted it slightly. Then she leaned in on tiptoes and lightly brushed her lips across Root's.

"Ok, that's enough, I am walking around and checking out the area." Gen smiled at them and walked away, stopping about 50 feet down to read one of the informational signs posted along the path. Root called after her.

"Not too far Gen, we want to keep an eye on you."

"It's you guys that need the eye kept on them," Gen called over her shoulder. "Fine, I won't go far."

The group spent several hours exploring, taking pictures and generally doing things ordinary tourists do. Shaw reflected on the normalcy as they were headed back to the Escalade. Looking west as the sun painted the sky shades of red and yellow while casting shadows that grew longer and longer, she basked in the feeling.

This is nice, I like it.

Gen's smile stretched ear to ear as she climbed into the back with Bear, who was apparently sick of wearing the Service Dog vest they had picked up for him along the way. Gen removed the vest and retrieved a marrow bone from her backpack. As she unwrapped it Bear's eyes followed her every move.

Finished, Gen offered the bone to Bear who immediately lay down between the bucket seats and happily munched away. As Shaw started the Escalade and pulled out of the parking lot, Gen piped up from the back seat.

"Are we there yet?"

…..

The group drove straight through on the return trip, pulling into a drive thru for dinner and stopping once for gas and a short potty break. As they approached the gated entrance to the place that had already begun to feel like a real home, Root activated an app on her phone. Immediately lights went on inside and around the building, bathing it in a comfortable, welcoming glow.

As Shaw maneuvered the SUV into the garage, Root glanced at Gen, sleeping peacefully in her seat. Looking over at Sameen, she asked, "should I wake her?"

Shaw rolled her eyes, smiled and shook her head. "She's still small enough to carry. I'll take her up and tuck her in."

"Just make sure you get right back so I can tuck you in." Roots voice dripped innuendo.

As a slight flush crept up Shaw's cheeks, she tilted her head at Root. "Aren't you exhausted?'

"No, just a little tired. But you drove the entire trip and I think that kind of effort deserves a reward." Root followed her statement up with her trademark wink, which always served to make Shaw laugh while causing her heart to clench at the same time.

"Be right there." She came around to the passenger side, opened the door and picked up Gen. Root opened the door to the house and went back to retrieve their gear. Bear looked around and bounded out of the back and trotted into the finished basement.

Shaw carried Gen up two flights of stairs, got her in bed and kissed her lightly on the forehead. Smiling at how domesticated she had become, she turned out Gen's light and headed back to the main floor.

It couldn't have taken ten minutes, but by the time she entered the master bedroom the sheets had been turned down, several candles were burning and a glass of wine was on the nightstand on Shaw's side of the bed. The door to the bathroom was closed but the light was on and Shaw could hear the water running in the sink.

As she sat on the side of the bed and picked up the wine glass, the water stopped. Sameen heard the sound of the door opening and glanced over. Her breath caught in her throat. Root slipped out of the bathroom and walked over to where Sameen was sitting. She wore a floor length nightgown that might have been completely see-thru in daylight but shimmered with promise in the candlelight.

Sameen had trouble speaking. She couldn't take her eyes off of Root.

"God, you're beautiful. I can't believe I hit the jackpot." Shaw reached for Root's hand after setting the wine back on the nightstand.

"Ready for your reward, Sameen?" Root's smile was a mixture of mirth, lust and love.

"I was born ready."

…..

Several hundred miles away, just south of the Rio Grande, Raphael Munoz sat at his computer. Next to him was Enrique Romas, besides Mito, his best friend and confidante. Romas had been with him when Mito was still a kid, and Munoz was just coming up in the gangs that ran the border towns with the cartels' blessings. Romas was the cerebral one. Munoz began as an enforcer but with his sharp mind and ambition was mixed with a ruthlessness that moved him up the ranks quickly.

Exploiting every opportunity, Munoz took over the top spot in one of the gangs around Nogales. Within six weeks he had found another ambitious pandillero and offered him the leadership. Using the contacts and money he made as he rose up the ladder, Munoz branched out on his own, moving to Agua Prieta, and entering the world of human trafficking.

His coyotes delivered those seeking a better life across the porous border into los Estados Unidos while his lieutenants kept watchful eyes for single females and children who could be sold into sex slavery or used as drug mules for the cartels. His ambition, foresight and ruthlessness allowed him to corner more than 75% of the trafficking business along the Arizona and New Mexico borders within five years.

When Mito entered the business, Raphael gave him the safest and easiest tasks. Mito surprised Munoz with both his sharp mind and his ability to think on his feet. Eventually, Munoz entrusted Mito with more and more responsibility. Within a few months Mito had gradually assumed control of the coyotes, leaving Romas the freedom to concentrate on the sex trafficking and drug mule part of the operation.

Mito's death left a hole in Munoz's operation, but the rage he felt was for the loss of his little brother. As he slammed the door of the office moments after witnessing Mito's murder, he could think of little but immediate and savage revenge. He immediately called Enrique who was at the warehouse in Auga Prieta that served as unofficial headquarters for the operation.

"The putantas murdered Mito! I want them dead. Now."

"I'm on my way."

By the time Romas arrived, Munoz had regained some of his self-control. He and Enrique sat and talked through the afternoon and into the evening. When Romas left Munoz gave him a heartfelt hug.

"Gracias, amigo. Talking to you helped- more than you'll ever know."

"He was like family to me Rafe, I loved him too. But I really believe the best way to avenge him is to plan an action that will also send a message to anyone considering challenging your absolute control of this industry."

"I agree. When I finish with the brujas and their families it will instill fear along the entire border."

"Just remember Padrino, revenge is a dish best served cold."

"Bueno."