"No! Out of the question!" Diego shook his head vigorously, forcing himself to remain calm. He had come to terms with returning to Los Angeles in disguise and undercover - after all, it had been his idea - but he didn't like the false identity his patron had suggested. Not at all.
"I can understand that you're not too keen on the role at first," Ramon revealed. "But I have to admit there is something to the idea. People see what they want to see. No one would suspect that Don Alejandro's son is behind such a story. It's just too far-fetched. Provided you disguise yourself accordingly."
Diego sighed and turned his head to the left. His eyes met those of Don Rafael and Felipe. "The intended alter ego is one thing - drawing more people into my mission and endangering them is another. My plan was to go alone with Ramon."
His friend spoke again. "I understand you very well, amigo. But you will need help if you want to stop DeSoto. As a stranger, you can't ask your family or old friends for help."
"Don't worry, Diego," Don Rafael spoke up. "If the situation in Los Angeles becomes too dangerous, you can always react. The important thing is to give a plausible reason for your arrival without arousing suspicion or otherwise attracting attention. Everything else will follow. "
The young Vega began to answer when Felipe joined the conversation. The boy was obviously sad and disappointed at the same time, so his gestures and signs were not as calm and clear as usual. Nevertheless, Diego had no trouble deciphering them.
'Why don't you want me with you?'
The last thing he wanted was to disappoint the boy.
He quickly ran to the teenager and touched his right shoulder. A gesture he had become accustomed to when he needed to reassure the boy. "Felipe, it's not that. I want to protect you. My plan is dangerous, so it would be better to leave you here and come back when it's all over."
"That wouldn't be good for him - or for you. You two are far too attached to each other," Don Rafael disagreed. "And his safety can surely be adequately provided for. As I said, if things get out of hand, we can always react. Even with a return trip to Spain, if necessary."
"You know I mean well, don't you?" Diego looked hard into the boy's face and was relieved to see that he didn't seem quite as depressed as he had been a few moments ago. Still, it was obvious that Felipe was still not happy with the situation.
They would have to discuss it again later in private. But for now, there were other things to do.
"Bien. Let's go over the plan again and clarify what still needs to be prepared and who will take on which tasks. After all, we don't have much time before we leave."