Part 2 👇

Valentina stood over Gerald while the garden stayed completely still.

She reached down and picked up the soda can from where Lily had dropped it.

It was heavier than it should have been.

She turned it slowly in her hand.

The bottom edge had a seam that didn't belong there.

"What is this?" she said quietly.

Gerald said nothing.

But his eyes told her everything.

Evelyn took one step forward.

"You don't know what you're holding."

"Then explain it to me," Valentina said.

Silence.

She looked at the cooler.

Every can was the same brand.

Same color.

Same label.

But she had felt the difference the moment she lifted this one.

She looked at her head of security.

"Check every can in that cooler.

Every single one."

Two of the capos moved without being told.

Gerald finally spoke.

"Valentina.

This isn't what—"

"Don't." Her voice didn't rise.

It didn't need to.

"My daughter was thirsty.

She reached for a drink.

And you raised a belt over her head."

Evelyn's composure cracked just slightly.

"We were protecting you."

"From a soda can."

Then one of the capos called out from across the lawn.

His voice was flat and careful, the way men speak when they've found something that frightens them.

"Boss.

You need to see what's inside this one."