Page 39 of Bad Blood
He gently sets Mateo’s body on the ground, pressing his fingers to his neck. He laughs, still glancing at Mateo’s peaceful face. “You lying piece of...” Bang! The shot of a gun comes from behind me, so loud it has my ears ringing. The gun drops from Santiago’s hand and he reaches for the gaping hole in his throat. He chokes and gasps for air.
I turn around to see Miguel standing at the top of the stairs. Santiago falls to the ground, still holding his bleeding neck. His body thrashes against the ground. I rush over to Mateo lying lifeless on the floor. I check his pulse again, moving my fingers over his bruising neck, and it’s stronger than before. I lift his body in my arms, stroking his hair.
“Was I too late?” Miguel’s guilt written eyes bore into mine.
I shake my head, “No. He only made him pass out. He’s very much alive.”
Miguel walks closer to Santiago’s flailing body. “So is he.” He points his gun and I reach for his leg.
“Don’t. Let him suffer. Killing him will only put him out of his misery and he deserves to be miserable.”
The stairs creak and Angel is running down them. “Is everyone okay?”
I nod. “Everyone but him.” I point to Santiago struggling on the floor.
Angel laughs. “Good. Things seem to be clearing up outside. We should probably head out before Santiago’s father gets here. He was late for the wedding. Something tells me it was on purpose. His mother got away and so did Mateo’s. One of us should probably go after them.”
“They won’t get far.” Miguel says. “Don’t worry, they have a nice little surprise coming to them very soon.” His gaze drops to the floor, to the gun lying next to Santiago. “Where did that gun come from?”
I glance at Mateo and the back at his father. “Mateo had it at the wedding. It was the gun he pulled on Santiago.”
“That’s impossible. I was told that gun was buried.”
My eyes blink. “Buried where?”
“With Marcus. That gun belonged to your father.”
35
Mateo
My body is being laid over soft cushions. My first instinct to reach for my aching neck. Someone stops me, brushing their warm fingers over mine. “Don’t, baby, your neck is very bruised. It may hurt more if you touch it.”
I stare up into those same beautiful eyes that always leave me breathless. “Is it over?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet, but it will be soon. I should get you out of here. Santiago’s father is on his way with lots of his men. I’m going to wait here with your father. We will make sure he’s taken care of. He won’t see it coming.”
I smile, shaking my head. The ache in my neck is dull and it hurts to swallow. “You’re stupid to think I’m going anywhere without you.”
“You’re already badly hurt. You need to see a doctor. He may have crushed your windpipe.”
I laugh. “I wouldn’t be able to talk if he did. It’s just a little bruising. I’ll be fine. You saved me again.”
He chuckles. “Actually, your father saved you this time.”
My eyes widen, searching for my father. “Where is he?”
He glances behind him and then back at me. “He went to make a few phone calls. He said a few men owe him favors. Look, I want to ask you something. It’s about the guy who gave you the blue gun.”
I nod, smiling. “So, he was a friend of yours.” It’s not a question but a statement.
He sighs. “Not exactly. I’m not sure who he was, and neither does Angel or your father. The gun he gave you...well it belonged to my father. Miguel gave it to him as a birthday gift right before the fire. That gun was buried with him.”
I gasp. Not entirely sure what he’s saying. The guy was clearly alive when I saw him, but Marcus was dead. Maybe it was a friend of his, but then why would he have that gun?
“I’ve never seen the guy before in my life. He had a suit on like everyone else and a scar under his left eye. His eyes were a piercing green and his hair was a dark blonde.”
“I hadn’t seen my father since I was ten. If I saw him today, I wouldn’t recognize him. That was nearly fifteen years ago.”
