“He has taken Sofia, one of my daughters, to bear him children. He wants to seal our ties to him, a wise move on his behalf, a tragedy for our family.”
“Where are they now?” I ask, reaching for my phone.
“Westhampton Beach,” Facuno eyes me out again. “But not for long, as they will take her to New Mexico to be with Jose.”
“Excuse me,” I stand and walk a bit away, dialing Alessandro, who answers, “How’s it going?”
“Jose’s men have taken Facuno’s daughter. If I can get her back, we might stand a chance.”
Alessandro pauses and sighs. “Do what you must. Try not to get killed.”
I hang up and go back to the chair. “If I get Sofia back to you, would you consider the allegiance?”
“If you get Sofia back for me, it will mean I openly declare war against Jose. It won’t be easy.”
“I won’t be bringing her straight back here,” I say. “We’ll move around the boroughs for a few days. Then when it’s safe, I’ll bring her here,” I stand up. “Do you have a photo of her?”
“Yes,” Facuno snaps his fingers, and I smirk. He knew I’d do this. He was prepared. A guard brings me a photo of a beautiful woman. She has dark, shoulder-length black hair and bright brown eyes. She will be easy to spot at a compound full of thugs.
I look at Andres. “You stay here until I come back. Make your plans with Don Lopez, and make your arrangements. If you need something, contact my cousin Michael. I’ll send you his number. I won’t have my phone on me until we’re back.”
Andres nods. “Are you sure you’re able to do this?”
I snort. “Save a princess from some thugs, easier than most of my jobs.”
I turn as an older man shuffles out of the house. Facuno smiles. “This is Bruno, my second in command. If you need anything, just ask him.”
I shake my head. “I have my own resources, thank you, Don, but I will have to leave now. We don’t know when she will be moved, and I don’t want to miss her. I will be in touch as soon as I can be.”
“Thank you,” Facuno nods. “Andres, Bruno will show you to your rooms.”
I walk out without an escort though I can feel the guards' eyes on me. I walk down the stairs quickly, Andres behind me. He takes his luggage and touches my arm. “If you can’t do this, they’ll probably kill me.”
“Then it’s best you let me do my job,” I say, climbing into the car.
Chapter 2 - Sofia
I knew I was done when they pulled me out of my father's beach house. Catalans didn’t just take you for no reason. My fate was sealed.
They drive me through New York. I’ve been here for a few weeks, but I haven’t quite got my bearings, so I look for signs along the way. From what I can tell, we’re in Westhampton Beach.
The car pulls into a large estate and parks in front of a beautiful house. That’s all that is beautiful about this place. As they walk me inside, it’s like a fortress, cold and sterile. I can hear voices off to one room and the shuffling of things being moved about. This must be a front for a smuggling operation. I’m not so naive that I don’t know what the families do to earn their money.
They open a door and take me downstairs. It’s a strange basement. The walls look like they’re made from steel, like a bunker. We go around a corner, down a hallway, and turn right. I try to remember the turns we take. You never know if you’ll need that sort of information.
“Please, why am I here?” I ask again, pleading with the burly man with a vice-like grip on my arm.
“Because Jose wants you,” he finally says, opening a door and pushing me inside. “Now, if you’re a good girl, you might leave here in one peace.”
“If Jose wants me, you won’t be allowed to touch me,” I snap, looking up at him defiantly.
He grabs my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. “I’ll take you if I want you, every which way until Sunday because if Jose found out, he’d kill me then you because you’re sullied.”
I swallow hard and try to pull away, but he digs his fingers into my jawline. “Do you understand, little princess?”
“I’m no one’s princess,” I snarl, but my voice is quieter.
He releases me and walks out of the room, shutting and locking the door. I rush to it and hear him speaking to someone outside.