Page 8 of Recklessly You
“Hey, shithead.”
He chuckles and smacks me on the back then stands in front of the truck, hands tucked into his pockets. His eyes light up as he takes in the beauty of the pickup. Santiago is the master mechanic we all call when we have car trouble. “Is it still turning off when you crank it?” He dips his head into the hood of the truck.
“Yeah, I crank it, and it purrs for a second then dies off.”
He hums. “It looks like the carburetor flooded. Do you want to take it to the shop? I’ll check it out for you, and I’ll work on it.” Santiago owns his own automotive shop. His business has boomed in the last year since he opened. He’s a master at fixing anything.
“Nah, don’t worry about it. You have plenty of work on your hands. I kinda want to restore it myself. I want to make my father proud, knowing I fixed it myself.”
His lips twitch downward.
“Liam, brother, he is proud of you. You’re a police officer with a degree in criminal justice. You applied for the detective position. I’m positive you’ll get it.”
“Thanks, man,” I say, swallowing hard.
He nods and leans into the truck. Santiago is the big brother I never had. He’s always looked out for Dominic, Mark, and me. Even Rosa, when she was with us—she hung on to him like a monkey.
His head drops like he’s lost in thought. He rakes his hands through his hair when he mutters, “Dominic told me.” His shoulders drop with a sigh.
I toss the wrench on the floor, getting up from under the truck. I can’t imagine what they’re going through—coming to find out their mother is not who they thought she was. In some ways, I can understand only because I grew up in their home.
“I’m sorry. I can’t wrap my head around it myself. I was at your house all the damn time. Never would I have thought your mom could commit a crime like that.”
“I know my mom was never the nicest person. She had an evil side, but never to the extreme of wanting to kill Mila’s father. How do I sleep knowing the woman who tucked us in at night and fed us was capable of such a gruesome act? I don’t even know if she really loved us, come to think of it. She used Dominic’s disease to control him. She used me in so many ways.” He chokes on the last words. “Your mom looks at you with love, a twinkle in her eyes, Liam. My mom looked at us with annoyance. We were only ever bodies to control to her.” He inhales and exhales.
My eyebrows furrow. The day Detective Johnson sent me to Mila’s old neighborhood to get information about the deadly fire that killed her father, I was ready for justice to put them in jail. All because I love Mila like a sister, like a best friend. She deserved it to have that kind of closure. I know the feeling of losing a parent all too well. I felt sympathy for her. At least I had my mother, but Mila lost both her parents. Never would I have thought Rachel was the culprit—the lady who let us kick it at her house twenty-four seven.
“I’m sorry, man,” I say because what can I say? I’m lost for words.
His phone pings, and he glances at the screen. “I’d better go. It’s Mark. He’s moving in with me. I’m going to help him move his stuff.”
I pat him on the shoulder. “See you, bro. Let me know if you need anything?”
He walks back to his truck, and I get back to working on the GMC.
* * *
I’m aboutto walk into the meeting room of the station when the chief pulls me aside. “Rodriguez,” he calls out. Chief Moreno has been here for many years and was friends with my father. His bushy gray caterpillar brows crinkle.
“Good morning, Chief,” I greet him with a nod.
He points to his office, and I follow his gesture. The office door clicks as it closes behind us, and he collects a manila folder off the desk. His solemn demeanor makes me uneasy. I roll my heels back and forth.
“As you know,” he says, “the crime rate in the city has recently escalated. But we are dealing with something different. Drug trafficking has increased along with the number of murders and kidnappings. The Serpents have been quiet for years, since the night we lost your father. We thought they’d moved their territory, gone into hiding, knowing the penalty for killing an officer—a detective at that.”
My breath hitches. For years I’ve wondered where the motherfuckers were. I needed to avenge my father’s death. He scratches his goatee and continues.
“We spotted them. Our investigation team, back in the city. Some of our agents in the city have seen them lately—big guys with serpent tattoos all over ’em. They’re working with the Tijuana cartel. Pablo’s son Marko is the leader of the gang—Los Serpientes—now.” He spits the name out in an emotionless voice.
Fury fills me. I recall the name Pablo with clarity.
“I can’t imagine what you went through as a child. Your father was a great man and a hell of a good detective. He would have been a good DEA agent. It’s only right that I give you this case. I know you’re capable of it, and you’re just as good as your father. You’ll be working with the DEA. You have been selected to be on the task force to take on this mission.”
My eyes burn. Pride fills my chest. I’ve been waiting all my life for this moment to take them all down.
“Thank you, sir. It means a lot to be part of the task force and to get to work with the DEA. I’ll do everything in my power to bring them all down.”
He nods. “I know you will.” He pats me on the back.
