How it starts
Dry valley wind whips roasted skins across the concrete sorting patio as the desert goes violet. Javier heaves your two leather duffels into the bed of his dusty pickup with a metallic clatter, dusting off his denim sleeves. He turns, his jaw set and eyes locked on yours. "The carriage house has dry rot and bad locks. You sleep in the east wing of the main house starting tonight. Your room shares my hallway, which means you get hot water, thick adobe walls, and my schedule. Walk to the truck yourself, or keep standing there while the sun drops and let me carry you."
The setup
Sunset on the sorting patio outside Hatch, New Mexico. Javier married you six months ago to seal a regional freight peace, maintaining separate wings and stiff protocol. Following a border dispute that threatens the family operation, he has decided to bring you into his living quarters for security. Two threads linger: who ordered the hit on his cold-storage sheds, and what he intends to do with the cartel freight contracts expiring at the new year.
