The drive back to Pops’ house is short, but by the time I pull up, I’ve gotten everyone on the phone, and everyone’s already waiting on me. We have a lot to talk about, and Pops herds us into the dining room so we can sit around the table and discuss what’s going on.
He waits until we’re all around the table before he speaks, his deep voice booming out through the room. “We took care of them, Roque, while you were dealing with Eva. You don’t have to worry about another attack on you from the cousins, okay?”
That’s good. I nod. “This means that you’re stable, right?” Everyone knows that the only people who could possibly topple Pops are the cousins, but if they’re gone…
“I’m stable.” Pops cracks a smile and we all pound the table. It’s how we cheer and celebrate in the dining room, and the whole thing shakes a little under the pressure. I know that Ma is in the kitchen while this is going on, but she knows better than to poke her head in when she hears us pounding.
There’s a small chance that she may know what’s going on already, but an even bigger one that she doesn’t want to know. Or shouldn’t. Women shouldn’t know what we’re doing, because it not only keeps them safe, but ensures that we stay safe.
Everyone knows that it’s easy to get information from a woman with the right persuasion.
The thought of Eva falling into the wrong hands makes me sick, and I grip the edge of the table. This meeting needed to be called so we could all talk about the cousins, but everyone here knows that I have something to say.
They all know about Eva. They just don’t know what the plan is.
When it’s quiet I speak, and everyone turns to me to listen. Well, everyone but Ricky. He and Johnny are on special assignment. My phone is on the table in front of me, which normally isn’t allowed, but today’s special. I need to be easily available if shit hits the fan.
“She’s not going to rat, but just in case she does something stupid, I have Ricky and Johnny out there. They’re watching the house, and I told her not to leave.” The words are thick in my mouth, but family comes first. We all know that, and while I think that Eva could be my family one day, right now is not that day.
“If she leaves the house?” Arlo knows exactly what would happen, but I know that he needs to hear me say it. They all do, because Eva’s a woman, and pussy can make you weak.
“Then Ricky or Johnny will take care of her.” I let that sink in before I continue. That’s why I have the phone out on the table. I need to be the first to know if shit goes down with Eva. “But she won’t leave it. I know it. I trust her, and now I need you guys to help me.” As quickly and succinctly as I can, I explain what’s going on with her ex. He’s a shady motherfucker, and even Arlo has a tight look on his face when I’m done talking.
“He’s waiting in her apartment?” Matty shrugs like the answer is as clear as can be. “Then what are we waiting for? You think he’d hurt her?”
This was what I hadn’t told Eva when I got off the phone with her ex. I had assumed that he just wanted her back, and that’s obviously what she thought, as well, but David was done. I don’t know if it was just because he was so close to finding her and hadn’t or if he was really that violent, but he told me that this time, she wasn’t going to walk away.
“He plans on throwing her down the stairs to break her neck.” I clench my fists on the table. “I think he’s drunk, or high, or something, but he told me that there’s no way she’s walking away from him this time, and that I’ll join her if I try to help her.”
Pops actually laughs at this, and I can’t help but agree that it’s funny. There’s no way that I’m afraid of a little punk like her ex, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to go up against him on my own, especially when I don’t know if he brought backup.
Our family doesn’t handle their shit on their own. We work together, and that’s part of the reason why we’re so successful. I know that everyone here has my back.
“Then what are we waiting for?” Pops stands up and slams one hand on the table. We all stand, slamming ours in response.
Nobody has to go home to get their pistol. Nobody has to worry about finding a silencer. Family always comes first, and we’re always ready to do whatever is necessary to protect the people we love.
Chapter 19
Roque
God, it feels good to be going to take care of this. After today I should know whether or not I can trust Eva, and I’ll have her shitty ex out of the way so that she doesn’t have to live in fear.
Everyone piles into two cars so that we won’t make a caravan across town and draw attention to ourselves. When we pull up in front of the building, I jump out, craning my neck to look up. Adrenaline pumps through my body and I have a hard time standing still. It’s not that I’m jumpy – it’s just that going into a kill that means this much to me has me a little on edge.
“You good?” Pops claps his hand down on my shoulder and I turn to smile at him. Even though my nerves are firing, I take a deep breath to calm down and nod at him.
“I’m ready.” This is my operation, and everyone falls into place behind me. We have to be buzzed into
