Page 42 of Blood Ties
"They will. Come back to the house, it’s almost dinner time."
"Later. I have other obligations to handle."
He sighs. "Once again, you need to follow your own advice. I'm guessing you are handling this personal business of yours alone?"
"No. I won't be alone." I pull out the picture of Marcus, stroking it with my thumb. "Not even close."
Cesar fights me on the way to the bakery I tell him to drive to. "Someone is here to kill you and you want me to take you to buy lemon bars?"
"Is this really so different from any other day? When does someonenotwant to kill me?”
"I didn't realize having one of your men dismembered in your room gave you the sudden craving for baked goods."
"Just drive the car, pendejo. Then you will take me to meet a friend and then go back to my son's house."
"Absolutely not. Your son will murder me if he knows I left you alone."
“Did you do as I requested this morning?”
Alberto sighs, pulling in front of Patsy's Pastries. “Yes and he usually goes to a small church about twenty minutes from here.”
I chuckle, knowing why he’s there. He is still stuck in his religious ways. “You’ll take me there next and make sure the boat is ready.”
“Does Marcus know you’re taking him on a late night boat ride?”
I glance outside, opening the car door. “Maybe.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “I thought not. You keep playing stupid games, you’ll keep winning stupid prizes.”
I step out of the car and grab what I need from the bakery. The lemon bars are wrapped up in a white box with a pink ribbon tied around it and I settle it on my lap as I slide in the back seat.
“There will be no talking on the way there, got it?”
“Yes, boss.”
“You will circle around the church until I need you.”
He pulls onto the road, not saying another word. My stomach flutters the closer we get to the church. I never knew it's something someone could actually feel. I figured it's some bullshit that only happened in romance films or to teenagers. I thought the same thing about falling in love once, but Marcus continues to shift my perspective of everything.
“Stop here.”
“You sure you want to go in alone.”
“Yes.”
“What if his guards…”
“He won’t have them inside with him. This is something he likes to do alone. I sent out a few messages while in the bakery and made sure they would stay distracted.” I straighten my teal suit as I step out of the car and head up the wide concrete steps leading to the church’s front entrance. This place really is in the middle of nowhere and I’m sure Marcus prefers it that way. I close the door quietly behind me and the building appears to be empty with rows of unoccupied pews. A priest steps out from the back and smiles my way. “Can I help you?”
I shake my head. “Just here to say a prayer if that's okay.”
“Of course, take your time.” He heads back the direction he comes from and stops walking when I speak again. “Actually, I was wondering if you could help me with this passage. I’m not fully understanding it.” I pull out a bible from inside of my jacket. The priest lifts a brow, slowly walking my way. “Let’s have a quick look then shall we. I have someone waiting to give a confession.”
“It won’t take long I promise.”
He nods and I open the book and the moment he steps closer I pull something out from the center of the cut out sections. His eyes grow wide, and I quickly press the rag over his face. “Forgive me Father for I have sinned and I don’t think I’ll ever stop.” I slowly place him in one of the pews, laying him flat out on the bench in a comfortable position. I check the church, making sure we’re alone before rushing toward the confessional.
I step inside and sit on the wooden bench, leaning toward the screen.
