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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
‘EXHAUSTED’ LXST
Finding my sister was easy with the tracking system we have on the vehicle but seeing her covered in blood is something I'll never be able to forget.
An unknown man ran up and shot Joey as he held the door open for my sister who, thankfully, was about fifteen feet away. Letty was quick with her thinking and shoved Joey's legs into the cab and jumped into the driver's seat, driving off as fast as she could, before calling Hector.
With me leading my men, we were able to cut the sedan off from my sister before he could do her physical harm. My men chased him down as I drove Letty home in my car but before I could even get within five blocks of my building, I got the call that my mother had been shot and Dice was missing.
How can I describe the anger and pure agony I felt pounding through my body? I'd rather be dipped in boiling oil than watch my mother, and the only woman to mean something to me, be hurt in any way.
It is amazing how fast the human mind and body can flip through emotions. Ninety seconds to feel and process one emotion before moving on to the next. The mind can quickly go through emotions and cast them aside while taking on new ones.
It's the heart that cannot let go so easily.
As I walk into my apartment, my heart rate is on a level I've never felt before. Relief is quickly replaced with rage. Rage is then pushed aside by sorrow. Sorrow is then swapped for avengement.
Doc stands as I rush to my mother's bedroom and stops me, "Your mother has just fallen asleep. I gave her some strong pain medicine and a lidocaine injection for her hand. Thankfully, the bullet did not hit her bones. She will heal, but I’m not sure how much movement she’ll have later. I stitched her up,” Doc points to his own hand, showing the area from the top of his hand, between the thumb and finger, to the inside of his palm, opposite of the bullet’s entry. “The shot was at point blank. She suffered burns from the barrel but that’s the least of her hand’s injuries. The bullet tore through skin and muscles, it practically ripped the thumb and forefinger apart.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose trying to keep myself composed, "I'll check on mom, you go to your girl. Thanks Doc." Letty rushes down the hall to our mother's room.
I turn back to Doc, "And Dice? How is she?"
"She has a mild concussion, and her body is bruised badly. She says she was pushed down a flight of stairs, but she fought back. That’s how she got away. Her face is also bruised but luckily, she doesn’t have any broken bones from what I can tell. She will be very sore and bruised for a while." I clench my fists as images of a man hitting her play out in my mind.
Doc must see them too because he shakes his head, "She is much stronger than she looks." He scratches at his grey beard, "I will let her tell you the rest. I have left pain medicine with both your mother and your girl. They both need rest. Keep an eye on Dice and call me if her concussion gets worse. For now, I’m going to the basement to pay a visit to the bastardos. I'll be by tomorrow evening to check on everyone."
I clap him on the shoulder, "Thanks, Doc. I appreciate it very much."
I make my way to the bedroom and spot Dice sleeping on the bed. Carefully, I pull back the blankets to lay down next to her. She’s wearing one of my t-shirts and I can feel the bindings under the fabric.
I swear on my life, I will kill every fucking Reyes member. They will all pay for their boss’ crimes. Every person who played a part in this will pray for death.
I’m not sure how much time passes as I lie there, watching Dice’s even breathing, but I don’t want to get up.
Her nose is swollen but I can easily see it’s not broken. A small prayer of gratitude leaves my lips as I run my fingers along her jaw.
When life gives you something that fills in the dark spaces of your soul, you hold on to it. You hold it with both hands and fight tooth and nail to keep it by your side.
For me, Dice is that special something.
As much as I want to stay here in bed with my woman, I need to take care of some business.
Careful not to disturb her, I stand from the bed and tuck the blankets around her before leaving the room.
I walk into the kitchen, intending on finding something strong to drink, but I stop when I spot a bullet hole in the wall. My teeth grind at the thought of my family and home being violated in such a way.
There has never been a doubt in my mind that this lifestyle would taint me and those around me, but the taint in my home is no less painful. It’s a spit on me and my name. It’s a slap in my face and my empire.
As I stand there, visualizing the gruesome torture I intend to give Danny, the elevator opens revealing an angry Brian.
"Is ma still sleeping?" He asks.
"Si. She'll be sleeping for a while with the meds Doc gave her."
We're quiet for a moment until Brian begins to reminisce. Jokes and good memories are his coping mechanisms.
"Remember that time Joann got the medicines mixed up and took some heavy sleeping aid instead of her migraine meds? She got so high that she started getting mad at us for stealing that piece of shit car years before."
