Page 52 of Vicious Savage

Idon’t know what I’m doing. Literally. I’m on a plane headed to Seattle, but I have no idea why. Attila says it’s because he doesn’t know where my brothers are and what they’re capable of, but I think it’s more than that. And for the first time in my life, I feel as though I’m a fish drowning in my own water.

I ran away from my ‘father’ three years ago because I didn’t want to marry his choice of a husband. I wanted my freedom, my independence, but instead, I spent three years shuffling from place to place when I got even a whiff of him finding me. I was a prisoner in a cage of my own making. But the alternative was much worse.

Attila takes my hand and places it on his denim clad thigh, then covers it with his own as the plane touches down smoothly. My insides feel giddy as I consider all the possibilities to come. Seattle is a new beginning. It’s a springboard to other things. I know I’ll be safe here, and I’ll be with friends. Attila and Cesar have done their best to protect me, and they haven’t failed. Who crashes a party and steals a girl right from under the host’s nose? Before putting a bullet in him? Gabriel, too, my half brother, is new in my life and I want to stay close to him. The fact that he picked himself up, left his life behind and joined me on this trip speaks volumes. He wants me in his life just as much as I want him in mine. It may not be easy navigating this new terrain, but a spark of excitement surges through me as I think of what lays ahead. The great unknown. But I am the artist, and this is my palette.

* * *

Coyin was a hated man.He didn’t have many friends. He clawed and clawed but never quite hit that chord of being accepted into the world in which he lived. He was a despicable man who did despicable things and never garnered the respect he spent his life yearning for.

This is never more apparent than when we walk into a towering glass building and the men stroll casually past the doorman, who tips his hat to them in welcome and addresses Attila by name. The man is larger than life, his presence turning heads as he enters the building like he belongs here. Which he obviously does. The concierge slides a swipe card across the desk and bats her eyes at AttilaandCesar. She ignores me. We go up in the elevator, waiting several minutes as the car ascends, then step straight out into the wide foyer of a residential apartment. I can hear voices to my right; Attila sets down his duffel bag in a corner of the foyer and slides that way until we are all standing in a massive glass encased living room with a desk at the far end. Caleph and Dante are standing by the desk, enjoying some amber liquid. They turn when we enter, obviously expecting us. The smiles on their faces, sincere and unapologetic, tell me they’re happy to see Attila. He commands the same sort of respect they do without even trying. Who are these men?

I stand back, watching as they greet each other, and give a meek wave as their focus comes to me. I feel like I’m on display as Caleph and Dante look at me curiously, as though I am a puzzle they can’t solve.

“You convinced her to come,” Caleph says, turning to look at Attila.

“It was hard, but my charm never fails me.”

“This is a safe place, Luna,” Dante starts. “I’m glad you could come.”

I give him a tight smile but say nothing. I don’t even know what I’m doing here, and I’m already second guessing coming. Plus, I convinced Nadia to make the trip out and meet me here.

“Any news?”

The men’s response is negative as they shake their heads at Attila, and I know they’re referring to my brothers. It’s disappointing to hear, but I guess no news is good news.

“They’ll turn up eventually,” Gabriel says, coming to stand beside me. He puts a comforting hand to my elbow and gives me a short nod. If he believes, I should believe.

“I’m worried, Gabriel. I haven’t heard from them in so long. What if he killed them?” I whisper.

“Come on now, Luna. Why would he do that? They’re his sons, his namesake.”

“You didn’t know him like I knew him, Gabriel. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

“Luna…”

Attila’s bark cuts through my worry and my eyes dart to where he’s standing watching me become more agitated. I hold his glance, too enthralled to turn away. I may have slept with the man, but I never really paid much attention to his commanding presence. It’s baffling me how he put a spell on me in so little time.

“We’ll find them.”

His words are forceful. Full of certainty. He too believes that we will find my missing brothers. He has made this his one priority, and now everyone in his circle has joined the party. They’re all working towards the same goal. I still don’t understand why they would want to help; they got what they wanted when they killed Coyin and severed the head of the serpentine cartel that was a thorn in everyone’s side. They got what they wanted; why saddle themselves with more baggage in the form of their enemy’s ‘daughter’? I blink slowly, then slide my eyes toward TJ. He stands to the side, hands on his hips, a hulking behemoth, and he too believes. He gives me a nod of reassurance, and I know in that moment. I know that if my brothers are to be found, it will be these men that find them and give me the closure that I need.

53

THE JEKYLL

I’m new to this world. I may have spent the last five years hunting down Coyin Castillo and his brother. I may have come in contact with dubious characters with copious amounts of funds who bankrolled my search because they all wantedsomethingfrom the Castillo cartel, but I’ve never been in the presence ofthis much money.

This whole building is owned by the three men who were standing in the living room barely an hour ago. The suite we were standing in is considered a ‘conference suite’. It’s where they go to hold their meetings, before each goes back to their own suite. Each man occupies a floor of the building, which is a primary residence. They have offices on other floors and in a building across the street, which I learn is owned by Dante’s wife. It’s mind boggling, and for once, I have trouble keeping up.

After showing me around, Attila takes me back to his suite, where we’ll all stay and watch over Luna while we gather intel and decide what to do.

“You’ll get your own suite,” Attila tells me. “As a base. But of course, we do travel extensively for work.”

I gawk. My own suite. What would I even do with a whole suite?

“For now, I want Luna surrounded by as many of us as possible to ensure her safety. At least until we identify any threats.”

“You know, it’s interesting,” I start. “Why are you protecting her? She’s served her purpose. Coyin is dead and the Castillo cartel has fallen. You don’t owe her anything.”

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