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Carlos
I waitedoutside Gabriel's school, eager for the final bell to ring. He'd be as surprised to see me as I was to be here. I couldn't wait to spend the afternoon with him. Who would've ever known how empty I'd feel without him? Children poured out the front of the building, and I got a little nervous. What if Gabriel didn't want to see me? He could be upset with me because I’d let him down. All that disappeared when he came out of the door. He was chattering with another boy around the same age, but when he spotted me, Gabriel took off mid-sentence.
This never got old, him running into my arms and me hugging him tightly. Over his shoulder, I saw the cowboy sticking out of his backpack. I was with him even when I wasn't, just like he was with me.
“How was school?”
“Good. I saw you yesterday.”
“Told you I was here. I always will be, even if you can't see me.”
“Where's Mama?”
“She had a meeting, so if it's all right with you, I thought we'd check out the Empire State Building.”
“Yes please, Mr. Carlos. It's cool with me.”
Gabrieland I explored the Empire State Building until there was nothing left to see. I took pictures of him on my phone, texting a couple to Holly so she could see how happy he was. We took a selfie, though there wasn't much of New York in the background. I was glad to have a few photos of the two of us.
We headed back to the car, which we'd parked in a nearby garage, discussing how we might convince Holly to go to Shake Shack.
“Well, well, Calderón. I'm witnessing a miracle. You are resurrected from the dead,” I knew the voice, and every hair on my body rose. Instinctively, I turned and steered Gabriel behind me. “Maybe I need to drink from the same cup as your family, seeing as your sister rose from the dead, as well. You don't look happy to see me, Carlos. That hurts.”
Jaw clenched, I stared Nicanor Rosca down. I knew it was only a matter of time before he found me, but how had he done it so quickly?
“It's interesting no one has seen your father. Perhaps he'll turn up too.”
“Where's your dad?” Gabriel asked, letting himself be seen.
“That is a very good question,” Rosca said.
I reached for my gun and realized I'd left it in the car because of my promise to Holly and firearms were prohibited in the Empire State Building.
“Who do we have here?”
“He's none of your concern,” I grated out, feeling Gabriel's hand squeezing mine. He was scared. That alone was enough reason to eliminate this man.
“If he's interfering with our business, then he is.”
Rosca shoved his hands in his pockets, his stance casual. He was in an immaculate suit, covered with a long black cashmere coat. At a glance, he appeared no different than any other man coming from the office. But he was far more dangerous and wouldn't think twice about killing everyone in a five-block radius for his own amusement.
“Nothing changes.”
“I'm not so sure of that, now that you are the head of your family. You'll have to prove to me you're a man of your word.”
“I've already done that.” I kept calm, though inside I was boiling. This was a worst-case scenario. Rosca knew about my sister. Now he knew about Gabriel. He wanted me to prove my loyalty, which I was certain would entail something gruesome. I was fucked.
Rosca gave me a devilish smile. “Not if I say otherwise.” A chill ran up my spine. “Your sister is lovely, and this little guy here is a handsome fellow.”
“Nothing. Changes,” I repeated insistently. Blowing my lid and spewing threats was pointless and would only show weakness on my part. I’d gotten his message; it was only a matter of time before I'd have to give him mine.
“We'll see. I'll be in touch.” He started past, brushing his shoulder against mine. “Oh, and Carlos. I don't blame you for wanting to disappear. That blonde is absolutely stunning. I'd want to keep her all to myself too.” He was a dead man. Scum like him didn’t get to think about my Beauty.
I picked up Gabriel and returned to the car. He didn't say a word, clutching my neck until I had him buckled into his car seat. I fired off a text to Holly to wait for us inside her office building.
I phoned Donato, requesting more security at the apartment building and to have it swept for possible intruders. That was all I had to say; he hung up, already on it.
“Gabriel, would you recognize that man if you saw him again?” I asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.
