Javier had been impressed with Santina’s quick reaction, confirming his suspicion at her level of skill. He also liked that she didn’t question anything that had happened that night. He began to take her on similar jobs, jobs that usually required only him and his Right Hand. He was a hard man to impress, and she had gone beyond all his expectations.

Before she knew it, it had been a year since that first solo job. Santina had grown very close to Javier. They worked really well together, protecting each other. They both had a knack for predicting the way people around them would act, allowing them to act preemptively and accordingly. Javier had taught Santina many things about interacting with people in their society, and Santina had even taught Javier some things about predicting motives of others.

Javier had begun to confide in Santina plans for his crews, his leaders. If he suspected that someone was not being loyal, he would send her, no one else, to get to the bottom of it. Santina was able to mingle with all these people, blending and eventually revealing their ulterior motives. Javier would never admit it, but he began to depend on Santina.

One night after having discussed business plans, Javier and Santina reached a new level of intimacy. That night was one of passion and fire as Javier and Santina answered to none but their own pleasures.

The crew recognized the change in where Santina stood, and soon Santina and Javier became the couple that ran Mexico. Santina spoke with the same authority as Javier and together they took over more and more of Mexico. There was nothing they had to fear.

Two more years had passed, and Santina and Javier were having dinner in their hacienda. Javier was looking across the table at Santina, adoration in his eyes. She sipped her wine as she looked back at him. She was donned in a deep red gown with lips to match.

“I have a gift for you, mi amor,” he said, pulling a box from his lap. Santina’s mouth curled up to a smile. It was a long, narrow box tied with ribbon. Santina set her wine glass down and rested her hand on the box as Javier slid it towards her.

“What is this for?” she asked.

“I wanted to show you how much you mean to me. When I look at you, everything is as clear as crystal. I feel as though I was meant to have you by my side. When I look at the world through you, I see everything I couldn’t before.” He paused, sighing. He looked back up at her, continuing, “I hope you understand how much you mean to me. This gift is part of that.” He gestured to her to open it. With a smile, she pulled free the ribbon and lifted the lid of the box. She gasped when she saw what was inside. Inside was a bowie knife with a blade about twelve inches long. The handle was carved bone, a design of leaves, cacti, and flowers on it. Lifting the knife out of the box she saw that a leather sheath rested in the box as well. It was tooled leather, a design of a nude woman among flowers and cactus worked to Santina’s likeness. Tears welled in Santina’s eyes.

“Oh, Javi, it’s beautiful,” she looked up at him, holding the knife in her hand. Javier beamed up at her, pleased that she liked it. He stood from his chair, beckoning her to do the same and enveloping her in his arms.

“There is nothing that can stand in our way,” he whispered in her ear before kissing her passionately. She kissed him back, believing every word.