Page 16 of Blood Spilled
I can't really want to stay here with him. I can't really want his hands to be on me again. I can't really look forward to his face appearing behind that locked door. I have to get out of herebefore I'm no longer questioning whether what I feel is real or not. Before I actually believe that all I need in this world is Angel Castaneda.
Twelve
Angel
I leave the room smiling. My mouse is behaving himself today. He is really trying to prove himself. He can try all he wants, but it won't do him much good, he will only think it is. I head outside toward Diego and the men who have a few packs of heroin in their hands. “There’s a problem, boss. We have a man complaining the product he received is defective. He is spreading rumors around that you sell low quality drugs for too high of prices.”
I stare at the packaging in his hand and right away know it didn't come from me. I don't package my drugs that way. I grab it from his hand, bringing it to my nose. That's all I need to do to confirm my suspicions. I toss it back at Diego. “This didn't come from here. I shouldn't have to tell you that. Tell that guy he is coming after the wrong person and if he had actually bought from me, he wouldn't be having this problem.”
Diego stares at the drugs in his hand, then looks behind him, speaking in Spanish to Jason. Jason nods and Diego tosses the drugs to him.
“It will be taken care of, boss. Sorry to bother you,” Jason says before disappearing to the front of the house.
Diego frowns with his hands on his hips. “We have another problem. There was a woman who stopped by the club last night asking for you. Based on one of the bartender's descriptions, it sounds like Santiago's mom. She didn't leave a name, but she did leave this message for you.” He hands me a folded piece of paper. I unfold it, reading silently to myself.
Angel,
If I find out you are keeping my son hidden away somewhere, this won't end well for you. Next time your drugs being switched out with someone else's won't be the only thing you'll have to worry about.
I ball the paper up in my fist, stomping hard against the wooden boards. “If she shows up again, make sure I'm contacted immediately. I don't want that woman around any of my clubs and I don't want her anywhere near our drugs or distribution centers.”
Diego nods before turning away. I walk down the steps and toward the fields, heading for the large barn in the back where the drugs are being sorted and packaged. When I walk through the double doors, everyone keeps at their task, not even stopping to look my way. They know the drill. Always keep working and don't get distracted. Even the smallest distraction can lead to more problems I don't have time for.
I walk around, observing each person, nodding in approval when I see that everything is going the way it should. I always had one of my men in here keeping an eye on things for me when I couldn't, today it's my own brother. He has been overly suspicious ever since I brought Santiago here.
Gabriel smiles at me with his arms crossed and remains leaning against the back wall. “Hola, hermano. Another day, another problem, huh?”
“So, you know about our little visitor at the club yesterday?”
He nods, pushing off the wall. “Oh, I know. I guess her men finally realized he wasn't at the Juventino mansion or maybe someone led her there.”
“What do you mean?”
“Have you hired anyone new lately who wasn't of your choosing?”
“I've hired a few new men, but all came recommended and were thoroughly vetted.”
“Recommended and vetted by who exactly?”
“Tony.”
Gabriel laughs, tugging at his newly grown beard. “You trust that man too much. You know I've never liked him.”
I huff. “That doesn't say much. You don't like anyone.”
“I especially don't like him. I'm just saying you have to be careful. Not many people can know he's here. Have you even managed to get him to talk?”
I release a long sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I'm not sure he knows much and if he does, it may take a while to get him to confess anything to me.”
“So, your solution is to what, keep him longer? You know the longer you keep him here, the more dangerous it becomes. People are looking for him. People believe the man is alive and won't stop until he's found. They will eventually find him whether you want them to or not. It's up to you whether it's here alive or dead somewhere far away. Don't take longer doing it either.”
“Did Mateo send you down here to tell me all this?”
“This isn't just about Mateo. It's about all of us. I'll trust you to do the right thing,” he grinds out. “I think you've had enoughfun. Time to get rid of your little pet. You can always get a better one somewhere else.”
I don't want another one. Not when this one is becoming perfect in every way. I know I can never fully trust Santiago, but instead of diverting me away, it excites me. I always did enjoy a good challenge and that man knows how to give me what I needed without trying to. I'm nowhere near being done taking everything I want from him. I don't tell my brother any of this. I can't expect him to understand the things going through my head when I barely understand them myself.
My lips quirk into a smile. “You don't have to worry, hermano. I have everything under control.”
