Page 26 of His Gilded Cage

“Always and forever,” I said.

The next morning, I walked through the front door of my father’s house wearing a black button down shirt and linen pants.

There was no gun in my waistband.

I walked up the main staircase nodding at the security guards on my way to my father’s office. I hesitated just outside the door hearing voices inside. I took a breath.

I felt like a man about to step on stage.

I cracked open the door.

Carmella stood close to my father talking to him in a low voice. They had not noticed me at the door. While I watched, Luis took a fingertip and traced it along her jaw. It was such a small touch, a private moment, but laden with emotion.

His touch revealed that he loved her

His touch revealed that he owned her.

As if I needed another sign to know that she was lost to me forever, as if I needed a sign to remind me that she had never belonged to me at all.

I pushed open the door and plastered a smile on my face.

“Father. Carmella,” I said, striding across the room. My voice loud and booming, my hand outstretched. “You both look well.”

“Marco.” Carmella looked flustered, cheeks burning.

Luis turned and looked at me, his silver hair glinting in the light, his blue eyes cold. “Marco, I thought you were in Sayulita still. Carmella has told me that it took some time to clean up your recent mess.”

“Yes,” I hugged Carmella making sure to give her only a friendly squeeze. “She has done her best to fix things, but I have come to the realization that it’s time I grow up.”

What do they say about a good lie? Mix it with the truth. Keep it simple and people will believe.

“You do need to grow up,” Luis said, his tone changing. He sounded agreeable and interested.

“I’ve been a fuck up and I’m done. I’m tired of drinking. I’m tired of the women. I want to make a change.”

Carmella paled. “Marco, this isn’t a good time,” she said, her face strained. I wondered if she feared I was on some sort of confessional bent. Was she worried that I would reveal her transgressions and out her betrayals to Luis?

I wished she could see into my heart and know that I no longer harbored her any ill will. I no longer felt anything for her actually. I had heard that the opposite of love wasn’t hate. It was indifference. Looking at Carmella’s face that day, I finally understood this to be true. Carmella had made her choice and now I would make mine. We all played parts and sold ourselves out if the price was right.

“It is a good time,” I said, smiling. “Trust me, Carmella. This is the right thing for me.”

“Tell me more my son,” Luis said, taking a seat in his big leather chair. In a flash I imagined lifting my gun in the air and pulling the trigger.

I was here to do more than destroy one man. I wanted to take down his whole empire. “I’d like to get more involved in business, Father,” I said, clearing my throat. “I have thought a lot about the project you discussed with me earlier this year. And I want to learn from you. I want to contribute to our family’s fortune and legacy. I want to make you and Mama proud.”

My father looked at me, his cold blue eyes lighting up. He rose from the desk and walked towards me with his arms open.

Carmella watched, her eyes wide. I returned her stare.

“My son, I’ve been waiting for this day,” my father said.

“So have I.”

“Are you sure?” Carmella asked.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my whole life.”

“My son,” My father whispered.

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