Chapter 12 of Aztlán Rising

In Chapter 12, Diego infiltrates a seedy club on the outskirts of Gonzales, TX, under the cover of chaos and neon lights. Among ghostly, desperate dancers and shadowy VIP booths, he locates "Phobia Phil," a nervous accountant for Santiago Industries. Diego plays the tough guy, using intimidation and wit to extract crucial information about Santiago's illegal operations.

Phil reveals chilling details: Santiago Industries processes undocumented immigrants at the Azul Ranch, tagging them like inventory before distributing them across the country. Despite Phil's warnings about the ranch’s deadly reputation, Diego stays undeterred. He leaves behind a cryptic matchbook message for one of Santiago's men and exits the club, ready to confront the dangers of Azul Ranch head-on.

This chapter combines grit, tension, and dark humor, showcasing Diego's daring and setting the stage for his next bold move.