~ Pop Sugar
Dante
“How are we to find one woman in all of Tamaulipas?” My sister asks, obviously still reeling from the shock of what just happened.
It’s been a little over three hours and our father will be arriving at any given moment. I called him while Gia was on the phone with Eduardo. I hate how she had to give him such horrible news over the phone, but we weren’t going to wait. At the same time, I personally called our father and gave him the news. He was determined to come here and speak to me directly about the matter, so we’ve been waiting.
In the meantime, we’ve had a cleanup crew come to my home and take Juan’s body. They’ll take him to a funeral home owned by a family friend, the Cortézes. They’ve been loyal to the Lopez family for many years. The crew not only takes bodies but will clean the area in which they died as well, scraping up every bit of blood they can find. Typically, we only use them after we’ve gone after someone and don’t want their body found. The Cortézes provide a service for us where they burn our enemies’ bodies in their cremator.
It takes me a little longer than I want to muster up a reply for my sister, however it is one I believe deep in my bones. “It doesn’t matter. We just will. Our family has allies and soldiers everywhere. We may have only a little bit of information, but we have eyes and ears everywhere.”
Gia nods, wiping her tears away. My sister is much like a crocodile, very strong and she doesn’t show emotion often. One thing that always gets a reaction out of her, though . . . well, it’s death. “I don’t want our cousin’s death to be in vain.”
“It won’t ever be. We’ll find this girl he was so determined to free, and we’ll get her out of this man’s clutches because that was Juan’s last wish.”
Gia nods her head while her lip trembles. “Someone will have to call Margarita.”
I shake my head, “No. We owe her more than that. We will visit her tomorrow.”
“We can’t tell her tonight. She deserves one more night of peace before her entire world is shattered.” Gia speaks up.
“Yes, and we will go visit her tomorrow and tell her.” I declare. Margarita lives in their family home. It’s about a two-hour drive from us in Camargo. Just as I finish telling her the plan, the code to my front door is being input. I only know it’s the correct code because my security system would’ve gone off if not. This only means one thing. Our father is here.
Gia looks back in the direction of the door and my assumption is right. Our father is here, along with his security team. “Ah, mija.” He immediately goes up to Gia and pulls her into his arms.
“I can’t believe this. We’ve been so lucky until today, Papá. So lucky. How did this even happen?” Gia asks, wondering the same questions we all are.
“It doesn’t matter how. The only thing that does matter is how we’re going to deal with it.” I state clear enough that everyone in my home can hear me. I’m fucking furious. While I’ve been angry many times before, I don’t know that the rage has ever risen this high. I’m so fucking angry because my cousin died for a stranger.
“Your brother is partially correct. It’s best you remember who is the one in charge here, mijo. We know why your cousin accepted his fate, and now it’s our job to find Amara Raines.” He releases my sister and she goes further into the kitchen and sits on one of the many barstools. Father follows her lead, and I go around to the wine fridge because I need a fucking drink.
Did he really just say Raines? For a moment I think he must be mistaken, that he can’t possibly be talking about the same Raines family who was tied to his predecessor, Rafael Ramírez.
I gather my thoughts while I fix myself a drink, preferring white wine after this day. I’ve had enough hard liquor. Now it’s time to go to work. “I’m surprised you haven’t asked me yet.” Father says, obviously speaking to me.
“Huh? What is Dante supposed to ask you?” Gia questions.
I turn back around to face my father and look at him. “She’s related to Rafael, isn’t she?”
Our eyes don’t waver from the other. He knew I’d be concerned about this, especially when so many of our people have died purely from our goal to have my father in charge of the Cartel. Getting here wasn’t a bloodless journey.
“Yes.”
Unable to control my wrath, I pick up the crystal vase on the side of the island and throw it at the floor. “Another one of us died at his hands! Are you fucking kidding me?! When will this stop, hmm?”
Gia’s so startled she stammers backward into one of our father’s security team members. Our father isn’t happy about my sudden show of emotion and makes his feelings known. “I know you are a passionate one, mijo. But this? Mmm, no. This is more Javi’s style.” Javi, my younger brother. One who’s been in and out of prison since he was eighteen. He’ll be getting released in a couple months as long as he doesn’t do something stupid again.
“I’m beyond furious. Why are we showing this woman mercy? Her family has tortured our glorious country for far too long, father. I don’t understand this.”
My father stays quiet for a few moments and blinks before he speaks. “Dante, I can’t judge this girl for the actions of her blood. However, I will judge her for her own. She has done many things which have aided us in our fight. Her, as well as her brother, Damon, who’s the President of the Reapers MC Las Vegas charter. They’ve done nothing but show their loyalty to us
