Page 46 of One Rule

A small smile tugs at my lips; he’s being ridiculous. More so because the man is anal about the cleaning and organization of the home, more than Mom has ever been. “Is that what this is? A payback visit?”

“You can call it something like that?”

“I call bullshit.” Walking over to the bar cabinet in the corner by the fireplace—a feature that makes no sense in a city like Miami but I added it because Liliana loves the look—I open the door and pick up a bottle of whiskey. No glass. This occasion doesn’t call for one. Instead, I flick the top away and then take the seat across from him and take a deep pull. “Or is this because you have some information I need?”

“Rodolfo called me.”

“What did the dead son of a bitch want?”

“Same as before, but now with an in.” At that, I raise a brow. Take another drink, as my mind runs through possibilities and there are only two possible scenarios where it could work for him.

The governor agrees without red tape or investigations for a fee.

The deputy mayor was coerced into pushing his agenda for a donation.

Both involve money, just in different ways: personal gain or political push.

“And?”

“Joseph Wilburn.”

“Already? He’s barely had time to warm the chair and he’s already making this kind of a political stance?”

“He’s always been in Diaz’s pocket. That was Rodolfo’s ace in the hole.”

“Did you know?” I spit this out through clenching teeth, my jaw ticking. I’d never forgive him if he were. “Did you hide this from me?”

“Do not insult me, Micah.” Dad swirls the amber liquid in his glass, his eyes on mine before taking a sip. “I want that motherfuckers head more than you do. He betrayed the trust I put in our working partnership, tried to use my family, and hurt my friends in the name of a few extra zeros in a portfolio that didn’t need it. Those tears my future daughter-in-law has cried are unforgivable and I want his blood. That of everyone involved.”

“Are you sure you’re ready to dirty your hands like that?”

“He wouldn’t be my first or last, son.”

“Good.”

Because my first strike is past due.

Chapter18

Liliana

“How are you, sweetie?” Luna asks from across the booth, giving one of my hands a gentle squeeze. She invited me out to lunch today, and even though no part of me wanted to be here—anywhere at the moment—I couldn’t refuse her. Not just because her husband is a mafia kingpin, but because he’s family.

Distant, though. I’ve maybe met him and his brother, Ivan, three times, but we have the same blood, nonetheless. And this is what relatives do in moments like these, we might not be close in our day to day, but they show up in moments of need.

It’s why I crawled out of bed after spending the last few days after Dad’s burial avoiding reality. Why I showered and changed and I’m giving her small smile as I squeeze her fingers back, saying what I can’t with words because of the sudden knot in my throat.

Swallowing hard, I give myself a minute to gather my emotions. Something she doesn’t rush, either. If anything, the soft look on her face tells me she understands and is patient.

“To be honest, I have no idea how to feel.” It’s the truth. “Everything is so messed up and I feel lost. Angry and lost.”

“And you’re allowed to, mami. Nothing can prepare you for moments like these.” Our waiter chose to approach our table then, and I was so thankful that she ordered for us. Nothing big. Just a frita for each; a Cuban-style burger and some fries with a pineapple soda each. And for the first time in days, my stomach truly rumbled.

I’d been eating to appease Micah and my mother, the latter of whom I haven’t seen since Monday and it’s Thursday now.

“Have you eaten here before?” she asks, and I catch her eyes looking behind her. The booth-style seating makes it hard, neither of us being gifted in the height department, but I catch the twitch of her lips. “Thiago’s Mom is behind all the recipes. She’s an amazing cook.”

“No. I haven’t.” For some reason that hits me.Family is family, no matter what side of the law they sit on.“But I’m glad you’re giving me the chance to.”

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