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Joseph sits across from Jane on my other side while Myles takes the seat to the right of the chair at the other end of the table—the one reserved for Grandfather.
It’s a calculated move. One designed to make it look like he’s Grandfather’s ally more than mine.
It’s smart while Grandfather likes to exert his authority over the family from time to time, but foolish when I’m the next leader of the family. If Myles were smart, he’d work his ass off to get in my good graces. But there’s nothing smart about the smug man.
“Where are Nolan and Liam?” Myles asks. He leans back in the tall, leather-backed rolling chair and laces his hands over his abdomen.
“Guarding Catarina, as they have been for months,” Jane answers for me.
“Interesting,” he replies, undeterred by the disdain dripping from Jane’s words. “I could’ve sworn your grandfather’s summons extended to them.” He references the text message my other family members received regarding this meeting.
“My grandfather knows the importance of protecting Catarina given the tension with Diaz’s gang. He will understand their absence.”
The insufferable man shrugs his shoulders dismissively. “If you say so.” He begins to sway the chair from side to side, reminding me of a child struggling to sit still. His behavior is annoying on a normal day, but I find my patience unbelievably thin this morning.
My cell phone buzzes.
I pick up the device and see a text from the administrative assistant from the front desk, telling me Grandfather is here. I stand from my chair just as he appears in the meeting room’s doorway, leaning heavily on his walker. His two trusty companions, Finn and Aaron flank him, but they know better than to offer him assistance. Grandfather’s pride won’t allow it.
“Good morning, Grandfather.”
The rest of the table stands and also greets our family’s leader.
“I disagree. This is a despicable morning. A travesty.” He shuffles into the room. Aaron pulls out the chair at the other end of the table and holds it steady as Grandfather sits. A relieved huff passes his lips the moment he’s off his feet. Finn glares at Myles until he gets the hint and shifts down a chair. Then, he and Aaron sit on either side of Grandfather.
I sit. So does the rest of the room. We all wait in silence as Grandfather catches his breath.
Finally, he speaks, “I’ve received some disturbing news this morning. News I felt compelled to share with you all in person.”
I can’t imagine what news would bring him out of the comfort of his home, let alone why he’d insist on speaking to this group of people in particular. But instinct says it’s not good.
“What’s the news?” I ask.
“It has come to my attention that Enrique Santiago has died.” His cloudy irises move over the table. “And there is a civil war brewing between the Harlem gang’s members.”
I frown. “That’s right.”
His eyes focus on me with annoyance. “And yet, you didn’t think to tell me you, Jane, and Myles were present during the event that caused Santiago’s death?”
“Santiago was murdered in the hospital,” I correct him. “The explosion at the gambling hall injured him, but it wasn’t the cause of his death.”
“He wouldn’t have been in the hospital if not for the explosion,” Grandfather counters. “And the point remains that my own family did not think I should be privy to the fact they’ve found themselves caught in the middle of a gang’s war.”
“We’re hardly involved,” I reply evenly.
“No? That’s not what Luis Diaz says.”
Under the table, my hands curl into fists. “You’ve spoken with Diaz?”
“I have.” A shadow falls over his aged irises. “And he made it very clear what he will do if our family doesn’t cease its involvement in his affairs.”
“So, the infamousel halcónis afraid of competition,” Jane interrupts with a haughty scoff. “How spineless of him.”
I appreciate what my cousin is trying to do. There’s nothing Grandfather criticizes more than fear. It’s an emotion he spent years training out of both of us. However, as a boy, I was subjected to more…unconventionalmethods to rid me of the weak emotion.
Unfortunately, Jane’s efforts don’t have their desired effect.
Our grandfather’s glare shifts onto her. “It’s unwise to tout the weakness of another when he holds a knife to our neck.”
