Chapter 34
“As both of you can see, I’ve already been included as member of ‘El Padrino’s’ family and consequently you cannot touch me or any of my partners.” Reynaldo says as he pulls Hanna to him, encircling her waist. “Ana Maria is my legal wife and now it’s time to set the new rules of the game.” He adds defiantly.
“Over my dead body.”
The words are out of my mouth before my brain registered them and my voice sounded with such determination that every single gaze turns in my direction.
‘El Padrino’ looks at me like I sprouted a second head and for the first time since I crossed paths with him, the old drug lord is shocked. I bet he wasn’t expecting for me to say shit.
Well, hell, news flash, motherfuckers, I’m more than pissed off at this point and after all the shit I’ve already went through this is the last drop in an already more than filled glass.
“That could be arranged, my friend and it’s not that you deserve anything less.” Reynaldo chuckles a little as he fixes me with a cold gaze. “What kind of man lets another one fuck his woman in front of his damned face, not saying shit, huh?” He says, pulling Hanna even closer to him.
At his words, my mind goes back to that damned night at the yacht. The memory is killing me inside as I realize this bastard is right. I shouldn’t have let that shit happened. I should have killed him when I got the chance. Now I know that back then Reynaldo wanted to find how far I would let him go regarding Hanna; I guess he got his answer after how I acted that night.
“Face it, Dom, you were never man enough for her and you certainly don’t love Ana Maria.”
And he’s doing it again, but I’m not the man who I used to be. I learnt from my mistakes. Now it’s time to do what I didn’t do back then. I’m not gonna keep quiet, not knowing what to say or do. This time I’m not tripping twice on the same fucking stone.
“But I do love Hanna.” I reply fiercely as my index finger caresses the trigger of my gun.
Hanna’s eyes grow wide at my words. I figure she wasn’t expecting for me to say anything at all either. However her astonishment vanishes in a second.
“But I don’t love you, Dom.” Her voice sounds hoarse and yet as cold as ice itself, stripped of any trace of emotion or feeling.
Wait! What the hell was that?
I frown slightly, thinking about Hanna’s words. ‘Dom’. Not ‘Dominic’, but ‘Dom’. Hanna didn’t say my full name. My woman would never call me ‘Dom’. Not in a million years. The only other occasion on which Hanna used ‘Dom’ to talk to me was when she went to Lompoc. Back then she wasn’t the one talking but…And realization dawn as I fix my gaze on her eyes. It’s not Hanna talking but the Ice Queen.
Those green eyes with their grayish sparks around the pupils are speaking to me once more and what Hanna’s eyes are saying silently has nothing to do with what the Ice Queen is saying aloud.
And all of sudden that same gaze reminds me of another one I saw one night when Hanna was pointing that gun at my head, threatening to fire. That night at ‘La Cueva’ her gaze was yelling at me to trust her and I did so without a second thought, assuming my damn fate. Now those eyes are showing that very same gaze and that, along with the tiniest shake of her head, so little that it passed unnoticed by everyone around it’s what makes me ease the tension of my trigger finger.
I already saw a similar gesture once, but it was Ricardo when he sent that warning to Sean while ‘El Padrino’s’ bodyguard was giving a necktie to Fabio. Now Hanna is the one sending the warning to me. Okay, baby, as you wish, but you and I are gonna have to talk seriously when all this shit is done. No more messing around with each other, Hanna, baby.
I glance at Ricardo from the corner of my eye. He’s damn quiet and I wonder why the hell he hasn’t said shit yet. Our gazes met for a second and there it is again, that slight shake of head. Damn! I swear big dark guy and Hanna are so alike that the idea sends shivers up my spine.
“You married Ana Maria, Mr. Casamajor, but that wedding doesn’t suddenly make you part of my family, as you seem to believe and it certainly doesn’t change the course of events.” ‘El Padrino’s’ says as he gets to his feet, facing the Cuban, reassuming the lead in this new game.
His words don’t leave room to complain and I notice how Reynaldo tightens his grip on Hanna’s waist. That bastard doesn’t like it one damn bit that the old man won’t bless his fucking marriage. I’m sure that Reynaldo thought that marrying Hanna would give him control over everything just for the hell of it. Too bad he’s playing against an older, wiser and tougher motherfucker.
“I am still the one who rules the roost here and both Ricardo Montenegro and Dominic Toretto are under my direct protection, just like you and your partners.” The drug lord’s voice sounds deadly serious; he’s not shitting around. “I will not tolerate this unexpected event to become a threat to the business I’ve been running for years. Are we clear?”
‘El Padrino’ is still playing his cards. He has a goal to reach and he’s not backing up an inch. I bet that even though the drug lord is a man with deep traditions, he doesn’t give a damn about the fucking wedding. ‘El Padrino’ might be thinking about his business but I wonder if Miguel Angel Felix already thought about who is gonna take care of that business once he’s gone.
His nephews have a big part of that cake, but I don’t think he’s planning to share his own part with them. He would have done that already if those were his plans for the future.
The drug lord is getting old and sooner or later he’s going to have to find someone to inherit not only his fortune but also his position. At the end Hanna is the only direct relative alive that he still has because Hanna’s father died and so did Magdalena. And all of a sudden I wonder who killed ‘El Padrino’s’ son while the drug lord was locked in prison.
I thought his family was untouchable and that no one would dare to make such a move against the drug lord, not even the government or the DEA itself. So who would use the unique occasion to start removing the obstacles, putting together a plan? Who back then had the connections, the chance and the ambition to kill ‘El Padrino’s’ heir?
My gaze rests on William’s and the lawyer’s eyes are slightly narrowed as he stares openly at me. I swear that he seems somehow caught off guard by this revelation. I’m starting to assume that I’ve turned into a paranoid fucker. So I wonder if that old fox was counting on someone else to hold ‘El Padrino’s place once he got rid of the drug lord. What if the Cuban is changing the original plan as it goes along?
‘El Padrino’s’ piece of cake is big enough to lead anyone to kill for it. Reynaldo is sure as hell ambitious enough to want it all for himself, but William has been there the longest.
As far as I know, William doesn’t have any sons, but again if he has been able to hide all this shit from all of us it’s not like to hide a son would have cost him too much effort. However for some reason I can’t explain it’s hard for me to suspect that William has a son somewhere. It would have become a weak spot sooner or later, and after what I have already figured out about him, I don’t peg William as a guy with much desire for keeping something that might turn against him anytime. I wonder who was he thinking about and when the real time comes, who will be the one holding the gun against ‘El Padrino’s’ head.
All of sudden an old clock hanging from the far wall strikes 1am and at once all the lights go off, plunging the entire place into darkness in time with fire works thundering.
Hanna!
I blink fast, doing my best to adjust my vision to the sudden darkness as I force the air to pass through my lungs. Not an easy task with 200 pounds of assassin pressing me down so heavily I feel my ribs about to split.
How the hell I ended up face down on the floor with Ricardo crushing me, muttering obscenities in Spanish I don’t know, but for damn sure right that is where I am. Holy fuck!! Where the hell is Hanna, Damnit?!
Mayhem in a second flat doesn’t come close to describe what I’m witnessing.
The brightness of the fire works is flooding the large salon in time with the deafening sound of their vibrantly colored explosions. Cascades of pink, blue, red and gold tones are reflecting the silhouettes of the shadows in frantic motion.
Shouts, screams, shots and streams of curses muffled by the thunderous echo of the fire works are floating bizarrely mixed with the out of place ovations and the bursts of applause.
As if the damn chaos displayed around us wasn’t already enough shit to deal with the sound of guns being fired and people yelling come to join the fucking party. I figure the DEA already showed up along with the Mexican cops. Fucking great! They all have a gift for being where they aren’t needed all at once. Damn!
My eyes wander around as I keep trying to breathe. Adrenaline is pumping through my veins causing my heart to start to beat faster. Out of the corner of my eye I finally spot Hanna. She’s struggling with all her will as ‘El Padrino’s two bodyguards are dragging her out of the room with the drug lord in tow.
“Damn, Ricardo, I can’t fucking breathe, fucker.” I hiss through clenched teeth as a ragged sigh escapes my lips.
“Bitching again, Toretto?” Big dark guy replies chuckling as he rolls off my back, crouching at my side.
“El Padrino’s’ fuckers got Hanna out of the room, man.” I gasp out. The sudden gust of oxygen almost burns my lungs when I finally start breathing again. “I’m gonna go get my woman.” I say, crouching carefully.
Bullets are flying everywhere and explosions can be heard resounding all over the area. I figure the Zetas started to fire back at the DEA and they are not fucking around either. I look around franticly, searching for William and Reynaldo, but those two motherfuckers have already vanished. Shit! We’re not nearly done. I swear to God, neither of you are gonna see daylight. Fuck it!
Two shivs are already in big dark guy hands as he snaps his head to both sides, narrowing his eyes. That dead calm written all over his face.
“Take the kid with you; I’ll go get my wife.” Ricardo says and with that he vanishes like smoke.
Francis is kicking and struggling for dear life as he keeps yelling for help. This is fucking great. Now I gotta baby sit this little bugger. In a sharp move, I grab a fist of his hair, dragging Francis all over the floor until I end up behind a couch.
“Shut the fuck up, asshole.” I mutter angrily, tightening my grip so hard that he yelps in pain. “I’m not in the mood for your shit, so if you want out of this alive, you better stay quiet, got it?” I whisper menacingly causing Francis’ eyes to widen, completely frightened as he goes still in a second.
“If…if you get me out of here, my d-dad will reward you.” Francis stutters, swallowing forcefully. “I…I know where Rey’s plane is and I know where’s he’s heading.” He whispers, flinching hard when an explosion blows in the windows, shattering it, sending pieces of glass in all directions.
The floor trembles under our feet and bursts of submachine gun fire sound closer now. I knit a brow in response to Francis’ words. Can I trust this little fucker? And who the hell is his dad?
“I know a lot of things about him; Rey talks in his sleep.” He adds, shrugging his shoulders. I can’t help but chuckle at the boy’s words. I’m still trying to digest the fact that these two had a relationship of some kind.
“How is that, Francis?” I reply, shaking my head a little. “All ready to betray caramel skin?” Francis shrugs his shoulder again.
“He married her and that wasn’t part of the plan.” He whispers, pouting as his eyes sparkle with unshed tears. The pain is evident in his voice. I figure Francis was in love with that bastard after all.
“Okay, asshole, listen to me and pay attention because this is your last chance to survive this mess.” I say looking at him directly in the eyes. “You’re gonna spill everything you know about Reynaldo and all this shit, and if I suspect you’re lying to me not even your fucking father will recognize you when I’m done with you, got it.” I say meaning each and every single word that left my mouth, making sure Francis knows I’m not joking.
I’ll beat this little fucker to death within a second, walking away without worries. In response, Francis shuts his eyes tightly, nodding eagerly ‘yes’.
Slowly, I get to my feet, peering over the couch. I still hear those fuckers firing at each other but it seems they’ve moved outside the house. There are still people yelling and running around, but all of them seem more worried about saving their own sorry asses than anything else.
All of sudden I’m not in a hurry to go get Hanna. I suspect that as long as she’s with ‘El Padrino’ and those two bodyguards, she will be safe. The drug lord seems to trust them enough and I bet that Reynaldo is already out of sight, probably with William. Maybe with a bit of luck those two will end up killing each other. Time to find some answers.
I grab Francis, pulling him to me, heading towards the door. It’s clear. So I push him into another room at the other side of a large hall, entering and closing the door. I know I don’t have much time, but I figure five more minutes won’t make any difference at this point.
“Okay, kid, spill.” I say, narrowing my eyes.
“What?” Francis retorts, gasping. “I though we were going to get out of here first.” He says, his eyes widening. I chuckle at his words.
“No way, asshole.” I reply, pushing him hard, making him lose balance. Then I crouch at his side. “You want out, don’t you? Then you better say something worthwhile first.” I mutter angrily, poking the barrel of my gun against his chest. Francis frowns a little and after a moment of hesitation, he sighs defeated.
“A couple of years ago, my dad was hosting one of his exclusive parties. William has been always present because they went to university together, and he brought Rey to that party, introducing us. My dad wanted for me to become a lawyer. It figures. Like I’m made for that shit.” Francis rolls his eyes, shaking his head.
Well, fucker. It’s not as if you didn’t have it in you after all. You sure as hell are already a damn freak, kid. I would say you’re on the right path.
“Who the hell is your father, kid?”
Francis chuckles as his eyes flash me with a wicked gleam.
“My dad is judge of the Supreme Court of the US.” He says, a slight grin tugging the corner of his lips.
I arch my brows at once. Holy hell! No wonder the fucking kid gives himself those airs.
“How did William get himself involved with the Cuban?” I ask, tightening the grip on my gun.
“I’m not sure. It was many years ago. Some shit with a chick that died after she took an overdose of coke at one of Rey’s wild parties.” Francis answers, shrugging his shoulders as if it’s no big deal. And I bet he doesn’t give shit about it. “William used his connections to get Rey out before the cops were able to implicate him and that’s how everything started.”
A chick? Magdalena. Fuck!
I grit my teeth hard, fighting back the sudden impulse to kill this little asshole right here and now. I swear that all these fuckers are making me sick when I think how all of them treat women. Fuck!
“Are you going to get me out of here now?” Francis asks me as he struggles a little until he manages to sit, sweating.
“Not yet. Keep talking.” I reply, emotionless, shoving him hard to one side. “What happened then?” Francis curses under his breath, sending daggers to me.
“At least you could release my wrists.” He hisses through clenched teeth, panting hard.
“Stop bitching, asshole.” I reply, pointing my gun against his forehead, causing Francis to gasp loudly. “Tell me how the fuck Reynaldo ended up married to Hanna, tossing you aside like a dirty dishcloth.” I add cruelly as I smile, mimicking Ricardo’s evil grin, knowing in advance that as soon as Francis remembers the facts and his current situation; he’s going to keep talking. If only to pay Reynaldo back.
Francis shut his eyes tightly as he swallows hard. He’s fighting back fresh tears, but if they are of pain or anger, I’m not sure. Probably a bit of both. After a moment he regains some control and sniffing softly, he goes on.
“Rey found Crystal and took her home with him.” Francis says smiling a little. “I like Crystal; she’s hot as hell even though Rey never let me fuck her, but she sucked me off a lot of times.” He smirks, his eyes flashing that wicked gaze one more time.
Yeah, kid, I don’t need you to remind me of that shit. I still gotta pay for that one though. Damn!
“She’s…” I cut him off.
“Francis, you’re exhausting my patience.” I warn him and I’m not shitting.
“Okay, okay. Their original plan was to use Crystal to supplant ‘El Padrino’s’ dead granddaughter; a chick called Magdalena. William was going to arrange all the legal documents so ‘El Padrino’ wouldn’t suspect it had been all made up. Rey was going to show up, already married to Crystal.” Francis pauses, swallowing hard as he blinks silent tears that are falling down his cheeks, looking away.
Jesus! This kid is all fucked up. I can’t believe he’s crying for that bastard Reynaldo. I look at him, narrowing my eyes in suspicion. Francis sure knows more than I suspected and Ricardo was right. Once he’s starts talking, he can’t stop.
That fucking plan makes sense because Magdalena and Crystal are identical. I figure they were going to kill everyone that knew about that shit. And it’s not as if Crystal was going to fuck things up. In the end she was in debt to Reynaldo because in her eyes, he saved her and had been taking care of her. Now it makes sense why that bastard was treating her in a different way, not allowing anyone else close to the girl, not even his own monkeys.
I shake my head a little, returning my attention to Francis who looks like he’s lost in his own thoughts.
“Why did they change the fucking plan?” I ask, startling him and he snaps his head up, looking at me.
“Crystal turned out to be sterile. She can’t have babies any more after that beating her pimp gave her, though Crystal doesn’t know it.” He answers, sniffing again. “Then Rey found that you had tried to steal one of his trucks loaded with his weapons. Rey was mad as hell and he wanted to kill everyone involved in that shit but William told Rey that he had a better plan. All of sudden Hanna showed up from out of nowhere and she was after Rey. He wanted to kill her as soon as he found that Hanna was an FBI undercover agent. But then, William told Rey that she was also Magdalena’s sister and ‘El Padrino’s’ heiress.”
I shut my eyes tightly, cursing silently. I knew it. I’m not going crazy. That old fucker has been lying to me since the beginning, using all of us in furtherance of his goal. William knew about our relationship and he used our feelings and emotions against us. Damnit!
“William’s better plan. Tell me about it.” I spat out, feeling my blood boiling inside my veins. Francis eyes widen as he gasps loudly.
“I don’t know.” He whispers under his breath. I lean forward, pressing the gun against his head, grunting in annoyance.
“Don’t fuck with me, kid.” I whisper, breathing through my nose. I’m about to pull this fucking trigger, not giving a shit about the consequences.
Francis starts sobbing, shaking so badly I think he’s going to pass out at any second.
“I swear to God! I don’t know that!” He cries, sobbing loudly. “Why should I lie to you now, huh? I don’t want to die.” He adds, curling into a ball.
“Who else is in this shit?” I ask, not caring if he’s crying. I’m not here to give a shit about his fucking feelings.
Francis swallows hard, forcing his voice out. “As far as I know just William and Rey.” He breathes raggedly, closing his eyes.
“What about Santos?” I reply, getting to my feet and pulling him up. “Does he have something to do with all this fucking mess?” I say, staring hard at Francis’ eyes. In response, he shakes his head ‘no’, swallowing again and clearing his throat.
“That bastard scares the hell out of me. Santos is a sick motherfucker and he’s been obsessed with Crystal since the first time he laid eyes on her.” Francis says, his voice hoarse after crying and shouting. I narrow my eyes in suspicion. I’m not gonna like what is coming. “Santos told Rey that he would stay out of his way, until he was done as long as he could have Crystal in exchange.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck! That’s why that bastard Rey gave Crystal to Santos. Shit! I gotta find out where Crystal is. I know that Hanna won’t leave this fucking mansion without that little bitch.
“Where’s Crystal?” I ask as I hold my breath, anticipating the answer I damn well already know.
“She’s with Santos. Rey lodged them at the guest house, so no one would disturb them.” Francis replies, sighing hard as I let out the air slowly.
All of sudden we hear a blood freezing scream that raises all my soft hair at once, causing Francis to start shivering in fear.