But that's only an illusion for the public. The real party is to celebrate the Mexican drug cartel leader, Jorge Cano.
And while Jonas won't be here, I already know who will, including the U.S. President, and the U.K. Prime Minister.
There are so many men I haven't seen in over a year, whom I never wanted to see again. I'll have to face all of them tonight.
I just don't know who is going to try to claim me as theirs.
I shudder and double-check that the box cut razor is in my purse. I decided it was smaller and easier to hide and dispose of if needed. I take it everywhere. So far, I haven't had to use it.
The day after I killed Jonas, I ordered a new knife set and disposed of the murder weapon in the sewer several kilometers from my apartment.
When I step out of my hotel room, Mateo steps off the elevator with Eduardo Macias.
"Zoe, I was just coming to get you. You'll be entertaining Senor Macias tonight," Mateo says, his dark, cold eyes checking every inch of me out.
My insides cringe. I force a smile. "Nice to see you again."
Eduardo leans down and kisses my cheek. The musky odor of his cologne consumes all the air in my lungs, and I try not to gag.
Before he can suggest we go back into my hotel room, I step into the elevator and push the button.
"Little eager to get to the party?" he says.
"Dying for a drink. And to celebrate your new position," I chirp.
I don't care for a drink, but I'll hold the damn thing all night and act like I'm excited if it gets me in public instead of alone with you.
As soon as I step into the ballroom, I run into Penelope. A tall man I don't recall stands next to her. I open my mouth to speak, but she kisses me on the cheek. "It's so nice to meet you, Ms. Diego. I'm a huge fan."
What is she doing here?
Where's Axel?
Snap out of it, Zoe.
"Thank you. Please, call me Zoe. And you are?"
"Penelope Chelton. I'm at the British Embassy in Panama."
The conversation stays fake and is quick. Whoever she is with and Eduardo don't leave our sides.
Eduardo leads me to the back of the room and interrupts a man kissing a woman against the wall. When he spins, my heart drops further.
Vanessa's eyes widen. "Zoe! What are—"
"I'm performing tonight! It's so great to see you again! How long has it been?"
She regains her composure. "Ummm...I don't know..."
"Was it at the event in Panama?"
"Y...yes. I think so."
Standing next to her is her fiancé and Belizean Cabinet Member Carlos Garcia. He's a global leader and ruthless man. And a million thoughts bombard me about what he could be doing to Vanessa and what happened that she is back with him.
Eduardo pulls Carlos aside, and we embrace.
Vanessa is shaking. "What—"
"Shh," I whisper sternly in her ear.
"Are you okay?"
Am I okay? No. But I need to keep it together. Now is not the time to break down.
I loudly proclaim, "I need the ladies' room. Vanessa, want to come powder your nose?"
"Yes." She turns to Carlos. "Is it okay?"
"Yes, you may go. But first, meet the new Ambassador of Mexico, Eduardo Macias."
Eduardo bends and kisses her cheek, and Vanessa shudders. He notices, but a sinister grin fills his face as if he likes knowing he scares her.
"Time to go, Vanessa," I chirp.
Eduardo swats my ass as I walk by, and I close my eyes and grimace.
When we get into the bathroom, I go to the sink and turn on the water. I add soap to my hands and wash them and motion for Vanessa to do the same.
She obeys.
"There are cameras here," I mutter.
"Where's Dirk?"
Hearing his name is like ripping the scab off a wound. I blink hard, trying to keep it together. "Dead, I think."
She gapes at me. "What?"
"They killed him." I wipe my eyes and add more soap to my hands.
"Zoe."
"I can't talk about it. I'll break down. Please."
"Okay."
I sniffle. "How are you?"
She catches my eye in the mirror and then focuses on her hands. "Out of the straitjacket."
My pulse increases. "No. He didn't?"
"Yeah."
Silence.
"Penelope is here," I tell her.
"What?"
"They sent her back to Panama. And Julieta...oh God."
"What?"
"She's back on the planes. They..." I swallow the thick knot in my throat, thinking of Julieta's face.
"What?"
"I saw her today. They roughed her up. She had bruises everywhere. I...I hardly recognized her."