Chapter 1

Don Alejandro, Diego and Felipe rode alongside the wagon containing the body of Gilberto Risendo. The revelation that the Emissary was Alejandro's son and Diego's twin was still a shock to the de la Vega family and the little pueblo of Los Angeles. Inez Risendo, the woman who had stolen him, was returning to Spain to face the consequences of her actions. She deserved the severest consequences based on her despicable thirst for revenge...The lives that she had destroyed were many, Gilberto himself but no one had suffered more than the de la Vegas. To lose a son and a brother because of her perverted quest for revenge would change them irreparably for years to come...Gilberto's untimely death signaled the beginning of a new life for Diego... Secrets, lies and fears had ruled his life for nearly five years. He longed to throw away the mask forever...A man his age should settle down with a wife and family by now. 'Grandbabies, Diego. I want grandbabies!' The tall caballero was determined that he would no longer hide his true self from his father no matter what the consequences...

The plaza minutes later...

"Diego, there's been something that's been gnawing inside of me." His son's fierce display while fighting Risendo had aroused his suspicions. What other passions lay hidden beneath the surface? Is my son hiding something from me? So many pieces were falling into place. Zorro appeared after Diego returned from Spain...My son's skill with a sword ...Edmund's mysterious note… Diego's absences when Zorro was present …The masked man releasing de la Vega funds from the bank …There was one logical yet unbelievable conclusion...My son is Zorro! His seemingly indolent son had deceived him for years...Why didn't Diego trust me? What kind of father am I if my son couldn't confide in me? A talk with his son would settle the matter once and for all.

The tall caballero knew that it was time to tell his father the truth. Time was of the essence if Diego were to have the life he had dreamed of for so long..."There is something I've been meaning to tell you for some time."

"When Gilberto was about to shoot you, he said he was not only going to kill you but he was also going to kill and he never finished. What do you suppose he was going to say, Diego?" Don Alejandro was almost certain that his son was going to tell him that he was Zorro...

"He was about to say that he was going… He was going to...to kill Zorro. Judging by the expression on your face, you don't seem surprised by this, Father."

"The fight aroused my suspicions... The way you handled the sword. No amateur swordsman could fight like that!"

"Sir Edmund trained me well, perhaps, too well."

So, you did complete your lessons, after all. A myriad of emotions crossed the overwhelmed but proud father's face. "Let's go home. We have much to discuss."

ZZZ

The two men rode together in silence as they headed toward the hacienda. Diego thought about how his life would change once he revealed his secret. He knew that his father would be angry and possibly be hurt by what he was about to tell him. Don Alejandro watched as his son handled Esperanza's reigns easily. How could I have ever thought that my son could be so inept with horses? I wonder what else my son has hidden from me?

Don Alejandro walked through the door of the hacienda. He was anxious about the talk he was about to have with his son.."Diego, you haven't uttered a single word since we've ridden from town."

"I have kept my counsel for so long. I...I don't know what to say, Father."

"There is nothing to be afraid of, son. Be honest with me. I am your father and you are my only son. I love you, Diego."

"The fact that I am Zorro...I have hidden who I am and what I learned in Madrid for so long...It is hard to share my secrets...to reveal a part of myself that I have hidden for so long..."

"And how did you hide such a secret for so long, son? Right under my very nose, so to speak," Alejandro said as he ran a hand through his graying hair, a gesture reminiscent of his tall son.

"Father, why don't I show you instead?" The taller man headed toward the fireplace intent on sharing his secrets with his father. It would be a relief after so many years of hiding...

"Alright, Diego. What's behind the fireplace son…a secret cave, perhaps?"

"Yes, Father that's exactly what it is," Diego replied lifting his eyebrow, "Come let me show you."