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Who in the world could be calling me from jail? Then it hits me. There’s only one person that I know of that is in jail right now. My aunt—Amelia’s mother.
I press one and then click on the pound button. The phone makes a couple of beeping noises, and then I suddenly hear some background noise. “Hello?” I say into the phone.
“Emily, I’m so glad you answered,” my aunt’s voice comes over the phone.
“Of course. What’s going on?”
“Well, I need you to come and visit me,” she tells me like there’s no question about it, but why would I go see her after what she did? She ruined Amelia’s life. She gave Amelia’s sleazy ex all her personal information. It pretty much destroyed Amelia’s life. There’s no question about why I don’t want to be around anyone like that.
“I don’t know when I’ll be able to. I just got this new job, and my boss is a total—”
“Don’t give me some bullshit excuse, Emily. I’ve done things for you. Things you don’t want other people to know about, right? Or do you not care if my dear sister finds out you threw away a baby?” My heart practically drops into the pit of my stomach. I didn’t “throw away” a baby like she’s putting it. I had a baby when I was a teenager, and she helped me find a good family for my child. It was a private adoption. It’s not like I threw my baby in a McDonald’s restroom trash can.
I was fifteen when I got pregnant, and I had my baby right after I turned sixteen. At the time, I was a bit of a heavier teenager, so it wasn’t like my parents would be able to tell. I remember purposefully eating more during that time in the hopes it would keep them from figuring out the truth.
Still, I don’t want anyone to know about my child… because I put her up for adoption. I never told anyone besides my aunt about her. No one else needed to know.
“When are visitation days?” I question my aunt, and she laughs lightly on the other end of the line.
She won this round, but it doesn’t mean she’s going to win the next one. Not in the least bit.
Chapter Six
Lom
“Boss, I don’t mean to bother you, but there are some things I think you need to know about,” Ludvik tells me as he fills the doorway of my temporary office. I’m scanning through emails, making sure business is done as it needs to be, and I wave him in.
“Give me a moment to finish this up,” I tell him as I finish typing up my email and then proofread it quickly. Once I’m certain that it’s getting every point across, I click the send button and shut my laptop. “So, what is it that you need to tell me about?”
Ludvik comes in and takes a seat in one of the armchairs across from my desk. He unbuttons the front of his suit and allows the folds of his suit jacket to go back as he settles in. “There are some ripples in the water with the Ramirez cartel.”
The Ramirez cartel has run Mexico for many, many years. Right now, the top dog of the Ramirez cartel is Alejandro Ramirez, who is the brother of his predecessor. “What sort of ripples?” What Ludvik is saying to me doesn’t make much sense at the moment. Sure, there are always small power plays in any cartel, but the Ramirezes have had their hierarchy solidified for years now.
“Well, let me ask you this first. Do you know what happened? Rather, how Alejandro gained control of the cartel?”
It takes me a moment, but things start coming to my mind immediately. “I believe Alejandro’s brother, Rafael, was killed. He’d been tied to some nefarious acts over the years. What of it?” I don’t have to tell Ludvik that Rafael was a known serial rapist, had his hands deep in human trafficking, or that he’d kill people for the hell of it. Most know of his reputation, which is how hemade so many enemies. I’m sure that’s what ultimately led to his demise in the first place.
“There’s a new player throwing his name in the ring. He says he’s the rightful heir to the Mexican cartel and that he should be leading. He claims to be Rafael’s son.”
I let out a bit of laughter at this notion. Rafael could have many children running around in the world. Why does this one think he has any claim to Rafael’s former throne? Alejandro’s been leading well for many years, and even more importantly, he’s been leading with peace. Rafael was so dead set on causing as much mayhem and bloodshed as he could. People would hide their children and families at the brief mention of him visiting their town. Imagine how much fear must’ve been going through their minds if they were so careful about protecting their own. With that much fear comes a reputation, and not a good one at that.
“Go on,” I urge Ludvik because I want to know about the information he has on this new Ramirez.
“As you and I know, since Rafael’s death, the Mexican people have been more than happy with Alejandro’s rule. He took a fear-driven rule and turned it into one where the people could trust that they wouldn’t be hurt, nor their families. Now, since this new Ramirez has come up out of the woodwork, a war is starting to brew across the border.”
“I’m sure it is. Alejandro has to be up in his years by now, but I’m certain he’s not keen on someone wanting to ruin the trust in the people that he’s earned.”
Ludvik nods. “Correct. The one who claims to be Rafael’s son is named Julio. He’s been telling people he’s Rafael’s youngest son, and Julio has a son named Santos, who he says will continue the line of succession within the Ramirez family. Julio’s stated time and time again that he doesn’t care how he has to get his power. He’ll rip it from his uncle’s clutches if necessary.” IfAlejandro’s heard of what Julio is declaring, I’m certain at some point he’s going to hurt his supposed nephew, if not kill him. No one ever takes kindly to someone trying to undo all the good work they’ve put forth.
“Do you see this becoming a problem for us or the Umarova family’s business ventures?” I question Ludvik, genuinely interested in his input. One of the things I appreciate about Ludvik is his way of finding information. This, with the Ramirez family, is a huge example of how resourceful he is. It’s one of the many things that makes him a great right-hand man to have by my side.
“I’d like to tell you it won’t, but the truth is I’m not sure. Julio’s son, Santos, was born here in Atlanta. If they eventually overthrow Alejandro, who’s to say they might not make Atlanta their second headquarters? Julio could be in Mexico, while Santos could be set up here. The truth is we don’t know what’s going to happen. Only in time will we know. I wanted to present this to you, so you’re aware of it in the back of your mind.”
“I appreciate that. If you find out anything else about the Ramirezes’ power play issues, be sure to tell me. In other news, is there anything else you need to tell me about? The Italians, Romanians, Irish, Russians, any of them?”
Ludvik shakes his head. “No, there’s nothing new coming from them. I don’t anticipate there would be anything shifting the tides with those key families. They’ve been ruling for many years, and anyone who dared to speak against them would surely be executed.” Ludvik isn’t wrong. All these families are ready for war at a moment’s notice.
“Thank you. Do let me know as soon as you hear something else about it.”
