Page 75 of Fighting for Julia
General Escobar nodded. “I will assign my best fighters to train you and Julia, although I know you’re already skilled.”
“Sounds as if you’re on our side, giving us an advantage.”
“I love my granddaughter, for she is the only connection I have to Julio. And she loves you, so yes, I am on your side.”
“Even though Julia is an agent with an organization determined to eradicate men like you?”
General Escobar flinched. “Even so. That is a bridge we will cross when this is over.” He rose to his feet. “Now, I must explain this development to the Andersons. You will play and sing for us at our feast later, sí?”
“Sí.”
General Escobar requestedthat Axis and Axalia be brought to the cell where he’d first met them. His beefy guards tossed them unceremoniously inside and slammed the door.
“I don’t appreciate being treated like a prisoner!” Axalia declared in an imperious tone.
“But that’s exactly what you and your brother are. Prisoners who were given too much freedom. You have placed me in a precarious position with the authorities in America.”
“That’s not our fault,” Axalia insisted.
“It is, but it’s time to get down to business. Julia is here. Now, tell me what you want from me.”
“We want you to help us achieve our parents’ vision. A revolution to rock America. Create a New America. There are members of our father’s army who have gone deep underground, but Axis and I know how to activate them.”
“A revolution to rock America?” General Escobar spat on the cement floor. “That would require years of strategic planning, weapons, and manpower.”
“We don’t have anything but time,” Axis pointed out. “We were born to do this.”
“Perhaps, but you’ve run out of time with me. I have no intention of helping you. Your parents were delusional, so are you and your sister. I must protect my own interests. Too many people depend on me, and I will not risk their lives and safety for delusions of power. Besides, you have a more immediate problem.”
“What?” Axis demanded through clenched teeth. Clearly, he wasn’t happy with being told there wasn’t any help for his plan to topple America.
“Julia and Miguel.”
“They should have already died!” Axalia railed. “At the hospital!”
General Escobar’s eyes narrowed. “So, you admit you somehow persuaded my men to defy my direct orders.”
“Of course we did.”
Her smugness sparked an immediate response. His palm connected with her cheek. It left a fiery red imprint. He should listen to his granddaughter and solve this problem by putting a bullet in their scrambled brains right now. But something he’d perceived in Miguel’s eyes, a dark desire for revenge that he recognized all too well, stayed his hand.
“In three days, you will face Julia and Miguel in a fight to the death. No weapons. No mercy. This is your punishment.”
Axalia cackled like witches found in fairy tales. “Finally, someone who understands! A fight to the death!” She high fived her brother. “And when we are the sole survivors, you’ll help us realize our parents’ dream?”
You’ll be food for the pigs.
“No. I will not change my mind about that ridiculous idea. However, I will find places for you in my organization to put your considerable skills to good use.”
Axalia’s expression turned sly. If she survived, she’d take over his organization to accomplish her ultimate goal. He itched to slap her again.
“All right, General Escobar. We accept the challenge.” She smirked.
“Then it’s decided. You’ll be confined to your rooms until then.”
“What about Julia and Miguel?”
“So will they,” he lied. He called the guards. “Escort the Andersons back to their rooms. Secure the doors. No one goes in or out except me. Do you understand?”
