Page 15 of Wicked Union

She nods at me, then Hector, as she sets it on the table between us, and I take one of the glasses. "For you, sirs."

"Thank you, Marta," Hector says, but his glass and Jasper's remain on the tray as she retreats.

I sip the lemonade and show my gratitude for the hospitality, but I can't help but wish it were whiskey. It may very well be a testament to the reason there is no furniture in this room. Perhaps they've been selling things off because they’re unable to afford the finer things anymore. All the better for me and my plan.

"We have several businesses that are beyond the point of breaking. We will lose them, I'm afraid. We're letting staff go, a reduction in force, but we're talking assets being sold off now. Our customers and current orders can't be serviced. Tito, we need your help." His trembling hands rest on the arms of the chair and his eyes offer a pleading expression. This is exactly what I need.

"I see," I tell him, then I set the glass down. "And what help is it that you believe you need from me? I've already infused these businesses with the funds to help them get back on their feet… That was in the arrangement, right?" But little does he know there are men inside his businesses siphoning money away to make it appear worse than ever. All part of the setup, which based on the way things look, I never needed to put in place.

"Yes, you did." His head drops and he shakes it. Jasper is now staring off into space with an angry glare. He hates humbling himself. I hate that too. I think it's common to any man in authority the way we are, the way he will be if his family survives my plot. None of us like to show weakness.

"Certainly, you can apply the capitol in responsible ways to ensure your businesses grow." I'm making this painful for him because he has to want it bad enough to beg for it.

"We've done that, Tito. It's just not enough." The words are like knives for him to say, and I can see the pain in his eyes. Jasper still hasn't said a word.

"Tell him, Jasper. Tell him why we're here," Hector says, his voice a tired whisper. This conversation is costing him all of his energy, and I have to hand it to him. He's holding up well, considering the man before me is a hollowed-out version of himself. Jasper opens his mouth and closes it again. He sighs, then runs his hand through his hair and lets out a defeated sigh.

“It’s alright, I understand.” I hold my hand up to halt the undue misery of the younger Peralta man. It’s obvious he refuses to humble himself.

Hector says as if reading his son's mind, “Tito, I’m sorry to say this, but we need more than just an infusion of cash this time.We need more than that. We need a miracle.” I act surprised, but I already know what the next words out of his lips will be. This is my chance to make sure they owe me everything. The time for charity is over. It’s time to cash in on my investment into their company.

“What exactly do you have in mind?” I ask, feigning innocence.

Hector looks at his son, then back at me with resignation in his eyes. “We need you to take over the reins, Tito. We need you to take control of our businesses until we can repay you.”

Jasper explodes, "Father, I won't let you?—"

Hector silences him with a glare that could freeze hell over. I’ve never seen this side of him before, and it catches me off guard momentarily. This is the Hector Peralta I remember from when I was a boy, the one who wouldn’t be trifled with.

“Enough, Jasper. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Hector turns to me, guilt written all over his face. “Tito, if you’re willing…”

My outward reluctance is an act, but inside, I’m doing a victory dance. “Well, I see us more as partners.” My offer will be brilliant, really. He wants me to lead, but in offering joint leadership, it says to him that I’m to be trusted.

“Partners?” Jasper scoffs. “And exactly what would you want in return for your 'help'?”

Hector glares at him again and he falls silent. He’s on to me, but his father is all too willing to be putty in my hand. “Forgive my son. He doesn’t understand business the way I do. Now, what do you have in mind?”

I lay it all out for him. I merge our empires, my businesses and his. The cashflow is liquid, ensuring mutual success. I spell it out for him the way Aria advised my brother only days ago, and he eats it up like candy right from my hand. He's almost euphoric by the time I've said it all and thrusts out his hand, to the great disdain of his son, only moments after I finish.

"I'll have the lawyers draw up the paperwork, Tito." He shakes my hand vigorously, and I smile.

"We're family now…" I won't stoop to calling him Dad, though if it meant sealing the deal, I'd have to. The look on Jasper's face tells me he'd pull a gun on me if I tried.

We finish the chat with some small talk, and I walk out of his house a victorious man. Everything worked exactly how I thought it would. I now have controlling interest in his business's financial decisions, and soon, I will make all the decisions myself.

On the way home, Tony calls me, and his tone tells me how angry he is before he even tells me what's up.

"Hey, yeah, Tito, we have a problem."

The car bounces along the road, carrying me toward my house where I'll celebrate with a glass of anything besides lemonade. "What's the problem?" I ask, watching the city zip past out the window.

"That tip to the cops, the one that made us fuck up the deal of a lifetime…"

"Yes, what about it?" If they've discovered who it is, I will personally end the man responsible.

"It came from inside the Peralta family."

Tony's words still my thoughts for a second, but I know he's not blowing smoke. Hector would never give this order, not knowing how desperately he needs my help, which means there are men below him who aren't faithful. The right thing would be to bring my accusation to him personally and let him handle it, but I'm not the sort of guy who does things the right way.

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