A wicked smile takes over my face when I see Santino asleep in his bed. How I wish I had time to play, but Prez said we had to make this shit quick. Striding over to the edge of the bed, I look down at the man who took my father away from me. Tucking my gun back into my cut, I unsheathe my blade. Leaning over his sleeping form, I fist a handful of the hair on the top of his head. By the time Santino’s eyes snap open, my blade is already against his throat. I can tell by the look in his eyes, he knows this is his end. Without hesitation, I deliver my parting words. The words I speak to every man I dare look in the eyes of as they take their last breath.
"Decirle al diablo que dije hola, Tell the devil I said hello."
Then I run the blade of my knife from one ear to the next, not taking my eyes off of his once. Not until I know there is no life left inside of him. Releasing the hold I have on Santino’s hair, I swipe my knife on his bed sheets wiping away his blood when I hear a shuffling noise behind me. Turning, I see Daniel in his uncle’s doorway with a gun aimed at me.
"Well, if it isn’t the rat himself." I say with venom dripping from my voice. "You fucked up, kid."
"Oh yeah? What the hell you gonna do about it asshole? Looks to me like I’m the one with a gun."
Grinning, I reply. "You’re not the only one with a gun pendejo stupid." As soon as my words register, Daniel whips his head around only to be met with the end of Reid’s rifle
"Thanks, brother," I say to Reid as I step over Daniel’s body.
"Anytime."
I’m pacing the yard of the clubhouse and chain smoking what is my fourth pack of cigarettes. We have not heard a damn thing about my sister. My brothers all stay silent—Quinn included, which is not like him. For once he decides to keep his trap shut. Just then Jake’s phone rings.
"Yeah?" He pauses a moment listening to who’s on the other line. "Thank fuck," Prez breaths out. Hanging up he cuts his eyes to me, and gives a relieved smile.
"Reid has eyes on Leyna. She’s okay. Taylor has her."
And just like that all the tension leaves the air. I’m grateful my brother stayed behind to make sure things with my sister went smoothly.
A couple hours later the sound of tires crunching on the gravel alert us to Agent Taylor’s SUV pulling up to the clubhouse and parking. Taylor exits the driver’s seat. He’s around six-foot-two with short brown hair buzzed close on the sides. He has his dress shirt rolled up to his elbows exposin
g a full sleeve on his right arm. Like I said before, you’d be surprised at how many suits have tats. Besides that, everything about him screams Fed. Right down to the menacing look on his face. He definitely finds my club unfavorable. I return his look, letting him know the feeling is mutual.
Without missing a step, he rounds his truck opening the passenger door. I see him take Leyna’s hand and whisper something into her ear and she nods her head in return. When my sister’s eyes turn away from Taylor and land on me she breaks away from him and runs into my waiting arms.
"Hermano Brother!" She cries, burying her face into my neck.
"Shh, hermana sister. You’re okay." I tell her quietly. Setting Leyna back on her feet, she clutches the front of my shirt using it to wipe her face, just like she would do when we were kids. "I see not much has changed. Still wiping your snot on me." I chuckle.
"Shut up, Gabe." She laughs back through a watery smile.
"Let’s get you inside, okay?" She gives me a nod and I then turn my attention to the Agent who is still standing by his truck and has yet to take his eyes off my sister. "You can go now." I grind out and my sister gasps beside me.
"Gabriel Martinez!"
Ignoring my sister, I turn my full attention to the Agent.
"It’s okay, sweetheart," he assures Leyna, but looking directly at me. "I need to get going, got a fuck ton of shit to clean up and about a month’s worth a paperwork waiting on me. Just remember my offer stands." He slides back into his truck and drives off.
I turn to my sister, "Let’s get you inside and settled. And after, we are going to discuss what that fucker meant by his offer still stands."
Leyna rolls her eyes, "Forever the big brother," she says through a watery smile.
It’s 5:00 am and my sister was finally able to go to sleep. I walk out of my room and softly shut the door, careful not to wake her. After grabbing a cup of coffee, I’m walking out of the kitchen when I notice Reid limping through the main room and out the front door. I follow him out and watch as he sits down at one of the picnic tables and starts massaging his leg above the knee. When he notices me striding his way, he stops.
Sitting down next to him I drink my coffee silently for a moment before I ask, "How’d you hurt it?"
"I’m fine." Reid bites out.
"Didn’t ask if you were fine, brother. I asked how’d you hurt your leg."
"Climbing down off Santino’s roof." He confesses. "It’ll be fine in a day or two, brother, leave it alone."
"I want to tell you I appreciate whatcha did for my sister. I owe you one, man."