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“Things have gotten messy here,” I explain. “The Cartel knows I’m here with Dream, and they want me dead more than they want the drugs. We need to get Dream’s cousin back, and it’s going to take more than just a few of our men. We need Gabriel’s forces.”
Jasha lets out a long breath. “That’s a big shift from what you were planning to do before, but I’m not going to argue about ending the Cartel once and for all. Wasn’t I telling you to do this from the beginning?”
“I was waiting for the right time,” I reply, hating that he ended up being the one who was right about the Cartel.
For years, I’ve been holding back on getting involved with them, even as they crept closer and closer to our operations, even going as far as to kidnap and murder one of our men.
It’s time to end this.
“You have my support,” Jasha says, “But you’re not answering the real question. Why are you doing this in the first place? I thought you were just helping that girl retrieve her cousin, not starting a war. Is it worth it now that things have ‘gotten messy,’ as you put it?”
“It’s escalated,” I admit, my mind wandering back to Dream. “The girl, she’s something else, Jasha. I didn’t expect to care about her or her cousin, but I do. And it’s more than just a simple trade now.”
“So, it’s like that, huh?” Jasha asks, his voice tinged with amusement. “You’ve fallen in love in just a couple of days?
“I’m not in love,” I blurt, my heart slamming into my chest as I realize Dream can probably hear me. I lower my voice to a whisper. “I’m not in love. I just don’t like being bullied by the Cartel. We’re taking them out. All of them.”
“Well, if anyone can pull this off, it’s you,” Jasha says, and I’m relieved by his confidence in me. “I trust you, but be careful, okay? Gabriel’s not someone we want to owe a favor to. You’d better pay him upfront.”
“I’m well aware of that, thank you,” I grumble. “I have a plan.”
“Which is?”
“Protodafinil. All of it,” I reply, bracing myself for his reaction.
“That’s two million dollars! Are you nuts? We could take out the Cartel with a single well-placed missile to their headquarters in Dimalona, and it would cost a fraction of what you’re trying to give Gabriel.”
“We’re not launching any missiles, Jasha. I’m not starting World War Three over a goddamn kidnapping. Just let me handle this my way.”
“I hope your way doesn’t involve getting yourself killed over a woman and her idiotic cousin,” he replies.
“I’d suggest you watch your tone,” I say, the words sliding out from between my teeth like smoke.
“You must be in love,” he says with a chuckle. “I don’t envy you. Women are straight up evil.”
He’s speaking from personal experience, and I can’t blame him for being bitter, but this is different. I’ve had my bad experiences with women, but Dream is nothing like anyone I’ve ever met.
She’s special, and I find myself more and more willing to help her just because I want to see her happy. It’s not about the Cartel anymore, but I wouldn’t dare admit that to Jasha.
“If women are so evil, then why do you have twenty of them hanging out by the pool?” I tease, trying to lighten the conversation. I hate arguing with my brother. I promised my mother we’d stick together, and being the older one, I’m in charge of making sure the promise doesn’t get broken.
“Alright, you got me. I don’t have that many. Maybe just one or two,” he replies.
“Are you serious?”
“No, I’m kidding. I’m not entertaining guests. You told me not to.”
“Right,” I say, relieved that he’s actually listening to me. He tends to go his own way when he thinks he can get away with it. I guess that’s how I know he’s actually my brother, because I’m the same way.
Jasha clicks his tongue over the phone. “So, you’re sure we’re going through with this? Do you need my help with anything?”
“I’m sure, and yes, I might ask you to join us,” I reply, looking toward the bathroom to see the shadow of Dream’s feet moving around under the door. “Just don’t stir up trouble, and don’t tell anyone what we’re doing. I don’t think our men should even know there’s nobody home.”
“Mission Mexico is top secret. My lips are sealed,” he says.
“Take this seriously,” I snap.
“I am. Need I remind you that you’re the one prancing around Mexico with some random woman and a duffle bag full of schedule one drugs?”
