“Time is never a luxury in our world, Micah.”
“Nor is sadness,” Micah said.“In the meantime, let us prepare to head to Loo-ey- vill, Ken-tuck-ee, to buy dark liquor, look at horses, and have cake at the wedding of The Cranberry.That one, I would have given my heart to...she is powerful, feminine, and deadly all in one.That is the kind of woman who makes my heart race.The Cranberry sent a link for the hotel; should I book us a suite?Alita is invited as well.”
“Mijo, do we need to talk about you and Alita?”
“What is there to talk about?She is applying to the same schools, and we will decide based on the ones we get accepted into,” he said.“My last patent, which I sent off, also has her name on it since she did most of the documentation for me.I felt it only fair since she worked tirelessly at my side.”
“Fair enough, and yes, book us a suite,” Eduardo said as his son rose to leave.Angel, his youngest son, was entering his office.Stopping at the door when he realized his brother was still speaking with their father.He listened to the words which came from Micah’s mouth.
“Those men, who wish me to be paired with their daughters, believe me to be a broken branch of your tree.In pawning off their daughters, who are less than optimal, they get the benefit of the Delgado name attached to their families while they expect us to bear misshapen fruit.I will be a party to none of their maneuverings, nor yours,” Micah said, walking past Angel to receive a fist bump.“Good chit-chat, Papa.”
Angel fully entered the space.His slanted eyes on his father’s face.Eduardo watched his youngest son, curious as to what this conversation would be about as well.Micah he would circle back to as well as preparing a meeting between him and the young woman from Venezuela.She had a fire about her that Eduardo could feel.His eyes were now on his youngest son, “Angel, how may I help you?”
“I came to apply for a job,” Angel said.
“A job?You have school, don't you?”
“School is to get a job,” he said, “and no one wants to hire me.They think I am dumb.”
“But you're not dumb, not at all,” Eduardo said.
“I know that.You know that.But they don't know that, so I am going to work for you, Papa,” he said, offering a smile.
“Doing what, may I ask?”
“I'm going to be your personal guard.”
“My guard?”
“Yep, your guard.It will be perfect,” Angel said.“Everyone will think you are caring for me, not knowing I am deadly and will kick their asses if they touch my Papa.It is perfect.”He nodded his head.“So, Papa, if I get this job, do I stand around in here all day like a jackass watching you?I mean, who is going to come and attack you in this office, or did Tonda do other stuff too?”
Eduardo rose, going to his cabinet to get a drink.He didn't care if it was the middle of the day; he needed fortification.Cross-eyed grandchildren, a wedding he didn't want to go to in Kentucky, a wedding he didn't want to go to in Brazil for his idiot brother, and college campus visits with Micah and Alita.
“Mary, Mother of Jesus, comfort me in my hour of need,” he whispered, thinking how much simpler his life had been as a drug dealer and the baddest man on two continents.
Chapter 2- Intensity
