Page 41 of Blood Spilled
I walk further through the trees, heading toward the swing. No one’s there. I'm beginning to think this is some sort of elaborate trick or trap and then I hear someone walking behind me.
“I was hoping you would come and not let your stubbornness stop you. I didn't know what kind of text I would be receiving tonight, but I'm glad I got the right one.”
I stay staring at the swing in front of me, not ready to face Angel. “And what would happen if I chose the wrong one?”
“I guess you'll never know, will you? Just be glad you don't have to find out. Not tonight at least.”
“What do you want? Is this the part where you tell me to leave and never return or you'll make sure I die for real?”
“No, this is the part where I ask you to trust me.” He places a hand on my shoulder, spinning me around to face him. His lips form into a thin line and his eyes grow small, making his expression appear more serious.
“Trust you? And why would I do that?”
“Because it's either me or them.”
“What if I choose neither?”
“Then I assume you like the idea of dying. If you run, they will find you and you know that. Besides, the man you were sold to will never stop looking for you.”
I grit my teeth. “I’d like to watch that asshole try and come after me.”
“You may not even see him coming. I know many men like him. They are ruthless and you will never know if it's him you're killing or someone else.”
“What do you want from me?”
“Tell me what it is your mother wants and together we will make sure she never gets it.”
“She wants the money my father supposedly hid away. It's the only reason she saved me from my brothers. She's never cared about anything else other than money and power. She thinks I can provide her with that money and he can give her that power she craves.”
“Who?”
“Robert Villanuella. He's a very dangerous and powerful man. He is her new lover, but I think he is out only for himself. No telling what he will do once he gets that money.”
“Then we have to make sure he never gets it.”
“He won't, because I don't even think the money even exists. I've told them repeatedly; I have no idea where the fuck it is. I can't tell them what I don't know.”
“Then you will lie or make it seem like you know. Lead them astray to buy us more time. The more people we get away from your mother, the easier it will be to take them down. They need to lose their allies. We need to slowly break down their wall.”
“Does doing so start with me?”
Angel tilts his head to the side and tugs on my lip. “You and I both know you were never really part of that wall.”
“Who's to say you aren't only out for your family and yourself? How do I know you aren't using me and plan to kill me when all this is over?”
“You don't, that's where trust comes into play.”
“Trust. I've heard people use that word all my life. I doubt it all has the same meaning and I doubt I can trust you.”
“Then don't. Instead trust that we can take these people down together. Trust if they win, you will die anyway. Trust you've been living a lie your whole life, and this may be your last chance out of it.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “What do you want me to do?”
“Work on destroying them from the inside while we work on the outside. You know your mother better than anyone. Use her weaknesses against her. Eventually she will crack. Your mother had a lover, you know?”
I arch a brow. “I assumed she had some fling after I discovered her long lost sons.”
“It was more than just a fling. They were in love. Your father killed him and made her watch.” Angel pulls out a picture from his pocket and hands it to me. “His name was Victor. They planned to run away together many times.” He hands me a pieceof paper next. “This letter was found with the picture in a box hidden away in your old house under a loose floorboard.”
