Page 44 of Blood Spilled
What I'm about to do is stupid and if my brothers knew I was about to risk everything, they would probably kill me themselves. I do it anyway.
I sneak up the stairs, hurrying down a dark hallway, searching for his room. Entering the one he told me belongs to him, I pull the camera from the pocket of my jacket. After planting it in aplace where I'll have a full view of his bed, I slip back out of the room. Hurrying back down the stairs, I nearly run into a man flaring his nose in annoyance.
After taking in his appearance and those familiar green eyes, I freeze where I am. The man's features are recognizable, matching the ones of my father, Marcus, but it's not him. This man has a scar going across his right eye and his hair is light brown. My father has dark blond hair. It takes me too long to realize I am staring into the eyes of my sperm donor, Bobby.
He straightens his suit with no recollection in his eyes. “Are you lost, amigo?”
I clear my throat. “I was looking for another bathroom. The one downstairs was occupied.”
Rolling his eyes, he places his hand on the railing, keeping me from passing. “Sure you were. I don't think I've ever seen you before. Were you even invited?”
“Yes, I came with my fiancé. There she is down there.” I point to a woman wearing a red dress, who's too busy taking a sip of her champagne to notice us. “I should probably get back to her. Excuse me.”
With an amused look on his face, he steps out of the way and I hurry past him. I walk up to the woman, putting my arm around her, whispering in her ear. “Just wanted to tell you that your tag is still on your dress. Don't worry I got it.”
She presses her hand to her chest, cheeks reddening from embarrassment. “Well, aren't you the hero, thank you so much.”
I peer behind me and notice Bobby is finally out of sight, no longer watching me. “No problem, have a nice night.”
I slip out the door, walking quickly toward the road where my brother and Mateo wait for me. “We are good to go. He is on our side.”
“You're sure he's going to do it?” Mateo lifts a brow, glancing between me and Gabriel.
I slide in the back, resting my hand on the back of Gabriel's seat. “I'm sure.”
“And if he's playing us?” Mateo asks, the hesitancy in his eyes disappearing when the inside car lights turn off.
“He won't.”
“I sure hope you're right,” Mateo mutters under his breath, sliding his gun into the glove compartment.
“Thanks,” I quip.
“For what?” Mateo's voice shifts to a higher octave.
“Not doing it tonight.”
“I'm not doing this for you or him. If we can prevent a war from breaking out, we will.”
I release a deep sigh, resting my back against the seat. “By the way, I found Uncle Bobby.”
Gabriel turns back to look at me with widened eyes. “Where? Is he a friend of Leila or her new lover?”
“He is her new lover. Bobby is Robert Villanuella.”
“You're sure?” Gabriel's tone is strained.
“I ran into him on the way out and he carried himself like a man of power would, a lion in charge of his den.”
“Why the hell were you inside?” Mateo clenches his teeth, balling a fist. “Were you trying to get us all killed?”
“It doesn’t matter. I got out, didn’t I? Also, I wouldn't have learned these things if I didn't. So be glad I did. We know who the man in charge is and exactly what Bobby wants more than money and power. What he really wants is our father.”
“What good does that do us when we have no idea if he's even still alive?”
“Bobby believes he is and that's enough for me. We have to keep him believing that. He needs to think he’s being led right to him. We get the lion away from the lion’s den—”
“And we take down the pride.” Mateo moves his fingers against the phone keypad and it rings only twice before a deepvoice comes on the line. “We were right. Santiago's mother is working with a mob boss named Robert Villanuella. Find out who this man's friends are and anything else you can. Also find a man who resembles Marcus Castaneda, Gabriel's father.”
