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“You wanted to throw me off so you concocted a story.”
“I wanted you to leave it alone. That’s what your father wanted. He didn’t want you or your mother to know.”
“That’s why you told him a favor would need to be paid. Jesus.”
“You were the only one I could stand the thought of ending my son’s life. I regretted the moment I told you to do it.”
“Yet you tested me.”
“And I wanted you to fail,” Carlos said. “God help me for what I’ve done.”
“God can’t help you now.” The quiet settling between us was worse than it had ever been.
“Your father came to me six months ago asking me to end his life. As you might imagine, I laughed in his face. Then he told me why. I still said no, reminding him that any form of suicide was against God and a mortal sin. He laughed of course given our professions. But he realized what I was telling him. That he needed to think about what he was saying. So he did. Then he returned two months ago, letting me know his cancer was inoperable, begging me to end his life with respect and honor. As has happened in many countries over the years.”
“Yes, the unwritten rule that no man in a leadership role would be seen wasting away to illness or disease, instead choosing to go out in a blaze of glory.”
“He told you.”
“He said that’s how our grandfather died, choosing when and how. It didn’t dawn on me that he’d take the same path. Then again, he hadn’t told me he was dying. I’m curious as to why Diego didn’t follow that path.”
“Diego was an evil man, believing he was the devil reincarnated. Your father knew otherwise. He didn’t want you or Marcus to know how sick he was. You know how much pride your father had.”
“So you agreed.”
Carlos smiled. “I didn’t tell him one way or the other. I also didn’t take his request lightly.”
“Why hire Gunner?”
“Because he hated your father and I allowed that hatred to be used. I’m an old man. I have no desire for additional bloodshed. I figured you’d find out it was Gunner and that would be that. I had no idea the situation would spiral out of control.”
“It did because you refused to do it yourself.”
“I’m a brutal man, Kendrick. You know that better than anyone. However, killing the godfather of my children wasn’t something I could do.”
I hadn’t known my father had been asked to be his children’s godfather. I guess I had a lot to learn about my father and his legacy. That wouldn’t continue when Suzannah and I had children. I turned my head. I was thinking seriously about bringing children into my world. She had influenced me. “He did his job, but he almost killed Marcus in the process.”
“I heard and for that I’m terribly sorry. You never send a boy to do a man’s job.”
We looked at each other for some time. Then I headed toward the door. “You have a beautiful grandson. Perhaps someday you can find your way back to each other. In the meantime, let it go. Do you hear what I’m saying? An eye for an eye. It’s done.”
“He’s alive.”
“My choice and one I do not regret. However, you will leave him alone. If you do not, I will return.”
He issued a single nod of respect. I yanked out my sunglasses before unlocking and opening the door. As the bright sun cascaded across the convertible, I felt as if this was the beginning of the rest of my life.
And I couldn’t wait to get on with it.
* * *
Three weeks later
Just outside Louisville, Kentucky
“What are you doing? The bumps in the road are going to kill me.”
I grinned as I glanced into the rearview mirror. I’d forced her to lie down in the backseat, promising to punish her if she dared raise her head. She’d almost freaked when I’d suggested a blindfold, threatening to take a serrated knife to my gut. Somehow, I’d believed her.
