Santos kept hiding in the shadows while looking at the house. He was so close. Closer than he had been in a long time. He turned to look at his team. Joaquin, Raul, Zelina and Rey - also known as the special task force called LWO.
"Okay, listen up," Santos said. "Evelina and Finn are inside that house. I know that for sure because I followed her here."
"I can't believe she slipped up like that after all this time," Zelina said.
"Believe it," Santos smirked. "It's no secret I know her from back in college. We can and will use that. I know her well. Finn for some reason has this tight hold on her. Once we take him down and separate the two, we can turn her against him easily and have her help us."
"Meaning, don't hurt Evelina," Raul said.
"Exactly," Santos said. "Is everyone ready?"
Everyone nodded and he nodded back.
"Let's do this," Santos said. "Joaquin and Raul, go around back. Zelina and Rey, you're with me."
They ran through the darkness and towards the house. Joaquin and Raul disappeared around back while Rey dropped down with some tools to unlock the front door. Once it was open, they all stormed in there.
"Police!" Zelina yelled.
They quickly found Evelina who was looking shocked at the five intruders inside the house. Santos took a moment to study her. Her hair was shoulder long and medium brown, and her eyes were forest green. She locked eyes with him and clearly recognized him despite it being 20 years since they knew each other.
"Santos?" Evelina asked.
"Hi, Evelina," Santos said.
"Where's Finn?" Joaquin asked.
"He got a phone call and went out a couple of minutes ago," Evelina said.
"Damn it!" Santos growled.
"Someone warned him?" Rey asked.
"Of course. He's connected," Santos looked at Evelina again. "The real question is why he didn't warn you too."
He could see she was feeling uncertain and nervous. Playing on her emotions would be easy. He lowered his gun and put on his best smile.
"You must have known all this time he's only using you," Santos said.
"No, he..." Evelina started. "No!"
"This is sad. You used to be so smart. What happened?" Santos asked.
"Finn happened," Zelina said. "Is the dick really that good, girl?"
"Zelina!" Santos snapped.
"Sorry," Zelina said.
Santos took a step closer to Evelina. She didn't move. Her bottom lip quivered and she was fighting bravely to keep the tears from spilling.
"I can help you," Santos said.
"How?" Evelina asked.
"We can take you to a safe house. He will call eventually. You just have to keep him talking long enough for us to trace him," Santos said.
"Once we got him and you testify against him, you'll be free. We'll make sure of it," Rey said.
Evelina's eyes moved from person to person. She didn't have anything to bargain with and she would never make it out of the house if she tried running. Santos knew he held all the control. As long as he talked to her soft side, she would listen.
"Evelina, be smart about this," Santos took Evelina's hand. "Let me help you, please."
"Okay," Evelina whispered.
"That's what I like to hear," Santos smiled. "Let's get you out of here before he returns. We don't know what people he might reach out to. He's a dangerous man but we will stop him."
Santos smirked at Evelina.
"We will end him," Santos said. "You have my word, Evelina. He will never get near you again. You're safe with me."