STEALING MEXICO

Prologue

DIEGO

Diego Cortez leaned against the cool stucco wall outside the house, allowing the faint hum of music from the party to drift around him. The warm October night was unusually quiet, even for Phoenix, and he could feel the faint prickle of sweat on his skin. He’d been standing here for a while, taking deep breaths of the dry desert air, trying to think—trying to relax. In his jacket pocket, his fingers brushed the flash drive’s edges, a weight he’d been carrying around for a week but couldn’t bring himself to hand over to anyone.

The truth was terrifying. The more he thought about it, the more his gut twisted with dread. But the fact itself—what he’d found, what it meant—was undeniable.

He closed his eyes, exhaling a long, shaky breath. Maybe it was better this way, away from Ethan, who was still inside, probably stewing after their argument earlier in the evening. Ethan had pulled Diego aside, wanting him to cover for him with his parents so he could spend the night with a friend. But Diego couldn’t lie to his host parents; he didn’t want to keep weaving a web of deceit. His refusal had caused a small but tense argument, words exchanged in the heat of the moment, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging between them.

With a sigh, Diego pushed away from the wall, glancing around at the quiet, sleepy neighborhood just off campus. Low-lying desert shrubs cast long shadows across the dry gravel lawns, and the distant city lights gave the sky a faint, pale glow. He turned toward campus, deciding to clear his mind on the walk home. The night was warm, with just enough of a breeze to bring the smell of creosote and dry earth to the surface. Familiar, comforting scents. He’d grown to love the way Phoenix felt in autumn, like a gentle reminder that cooler days were on their way.

As he made his way along the pathway, he noticed how empty the campus felt, the silence broken only by the soft shuffle of shoes and the distant hum of cars. Streetlights cast pockets of amber light across the courtyard, and he passed a group of students gathered on a bench, their laughter rising briefly before fading as he continued down the narrow pathway between two buildings.

The flash drive weighed heavily in his pocket, a constant reminder of what he’d found and the questions that haunted him. His fingers itched to hold it again, but he kept them shoved deep in his pockets, as if touching it might bring more trouble than he was already in.

The sound of footsteps shattered the quiet behind him. Diego tried to ignore it, telling himself it was just another student on their way across campus. Still, the footsteps grew louder, quickening to match his pace, and Diego felt a chill skitter up his spine. He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of a figure emerging from the shadows—someone he recognized, someone he’d seen before.

He stopped, his pulse drumming in his ears, as the man approached with slow, deliberate steps. Diego’s mouth went dry, and he managed a weak, forced smile, hoping to dispel the sudden tension.

“Hey,” he said, his voice unsteady. “What brings you here?”

The man didn’t respond, his face shadowed and unreadable. Diego’s fingers clenched inside his pockets, and he took a step back, his mind racing as he tried to think of something to say, something that would make sense of this strange, silent encounter.

Then, breaking the silence, the man spoke, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re poking around in things you shouldn’t be,” he said, taking another step forward.

Diego’s heart raced, fear flooding his veins. He wanted to deny it, to insist that he was just a student minding his own business, but the man’s presence loomed large, making it impossible to speak.

Before he could react, the man lunged, and Diego’s eyes caught a flash of silver—a movement so quick and fluid he barely registered it until a sudden, searing pain bloomed in his chest. He gasped, stumbling backward as his hand flew to the wound, warm and wet beneath his fingers.

He barely managed a weak, breathless cry, his legs giving out as he crumpled against the wall. His vision blurred, his breaths coming shallow and fast, and he struggled to focus as the man knelt beside him, reaching into his pockets with swift, practiced hands.

Diego wanted to fight, to push him away, but his strength was draining fast. He felt his phone slip from his pocket, followed by his wallet, and finally—the flash drive. The object that had started it all.

The man stood, slipping the items into his pocket before casting one last impassive look at Diego. Then he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Diego alone in the empty, quiet courtyard.

As he lay there, his body slumped against the cool stucco wall, Diego’s mind drifted to the secret he’d uncovered, the truth he had tried so desperately to hold on to. And as the last traces of his strength faded, he wondered if anyone would ever know.

The world grew dim. The surrounding sounds slipping away, and Diego’s last breath left him in a shallow, trembling sigh.

Meet the Characters

Occupation: Homicide Detective, Phoenix PD
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Personality: Reserved, determined, and fiercely protective
Orientation: Bisexual
Strengths: Sharp intuition, unwavering dedication to justice, and a relentless pursuit of the truth
Weaknesses: Emotionally guarded, struggles with vulnerability, haunted by his past

Carlos Santos is a dedicated homicide detective who thrives in the pursuit of justice. Methodical and relentless, he keeps his emotions locked away behind a tough exterior, believing that staying detached is the only way to survive the darkness he faces daily. But when he’s assigned a case that delves deeper than he ever expected, Carlos is forced to confront not just corruption and danger, but his own carefully constructed walls.

When journalist Asher Rhodes enters his life, Carlos finds himself challenged in ways he never anticipated—both professionally and personally. As sparks fly and the case intensifies, Carlos must decide if he’s willing to risk his heart in pursuit of the truth.

“Relax, Detective, I’m not here to steal your soap. And trust me, I’ve seen enough guys in towels to last a lifetime. You’re not breaking new ground.” - Asher

"I wish I had an answer for you. Diego was caught up in something dangerous. Something he might not have even fully understood. But I promise you, we will find the truth. We’ll find out who did this."​ - Carlos

Occupation: Investigative Journalist, Phoenix Ledger
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Personality: Charismatic, persistent, and sharp-witted
Orientation: Gay
Strengths: Quick thinking, fearless pursuit of the truth, and an undeniable charm
Weaknesses: Impulsive, struggles with boundaries, and often puts himself in danger for a story

Asher Rhodes lives for the thrill of the chase—whether it’s exposing corruption or getting under a detective’s skin. Armed with his sharp instincts and relentless curiosity, he’s determined to uncover the secrets others want buried. But when his latest investigation leads him straight into the path of Detective Carlos Santos, Asher realizes that some truths are more personal than he’s ready to admit.

Behind his easygoing facade lies a deep passion for justice and a longing for connection, even if he’s too stubborn to admit it. As the stakes rise, Asher must decide if he's willing to let his guard down and trust someone other than himself.