Page 48 of Blood Ties
I laugh and my hand slaps hard across his face. He grunts between gritted teeth.
"Let's try this again. What does your brother call you?"
"Richard."
"Dick. Seems fitting," Miguel adds, "How old are you?"
"Nineteen. Please don't hurt me. I'll do whatever you want. I can even work for free, I'm good at what I do."
I huff. "What's that exactly?"
"I'm a stick-up boy. I'm light on my feet and quick too."
"You weren't today."
"I thought the man who took me was Curtis. I was supposed to meet him at the truck stop and ended up in the back of a black SUV instead. I didn't know what Curtis looked like. I was only given a description by my brother's second in command, and ‘he’ matched it perfectly.” He gestures toward Isaiah with his head.
"You're a lot younger than I expected." I grab his face, peering into his red rimmed eyes. "That's some age gap between you and your brother. Last time I checked Mario was pushing fifty."
"We don't share the same mother."
"Ah, that makes sense. A secret love child."
"Now you understand why we aren't close. I only took the job, because he promised to pay off my college debt. It's not because we share some brotherly love and run some family operation."
"I still don't believe you." I release his face and step back.
"We'll see if you have the same answers for us tomorrow. Unless your brother shows up before then."
We go back upstairs, and Carlos is waiting for me in my office. Isaiah and Able walk to the front and Miguel doesn't leave my side.
"More news?" I ask.
"Yes, but I think you will like this news. It's in regard to Mario's brother,” Carlos says.
"And?" I raise my brow.
"He's not Mario's father's secret love child."
"Then who is he?" Miguel asks, crossing his arms.
"He's Mario's bastard son."
I perk up in interest, stroking my chin. "So does his wife know this kid exists?"
"I'm not sure, but from what I gather Mario still sees this mystery woman. They meet up every Thursday at a hotel in Kearny."
"That's very specific. How do you know all this?" Miguel shifts against the wall.
"Because he recently pissed off one of his runners. The guy was more than willing to tell me anything I wanted to know in exchange for his own life. He had this guy deliver many gifts and messages to his mistress before. Her name is Claudia and she's at least ten years younger than him."
"Tomorrow is Thursday. We can make sure his story checks out. Did he give you the name of the hotel?"
"Pleasant Dreams Hotel. It's a small run down place no one would expect him to go.”
Miguel huffs. "Sounds familiar."
I glare his way and he laughs, shaking his head.
