AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And as they move toward it with the passed-out general, the crowd follows. Covering. They block the view and most of the street, the party growing while all traces of them being here is erased within a blink or two.
I’m left behind to stroll off at a leisure pace with a smile on my face.
President Rodriguez made a huge mistake today.
Never show your hand ahead of time.
Never leave your messenger without proper protection—men who can’t be paid off.
Never threaten a De Leon or his girl.
2
“WHAT THE FUCK!” General Ortega sputters, coughing up the old water from the hog pen Israel threw at him. He’s alert at once, eyes screwed shut as I’m sure something nasty fell in there. “What’s going on?”
I don’t answer him. Instead, I sit back and get a little more comfortable.
We’ve been inside the family compound for a few hours now. The drive here didn’t take long; our estate is located west of Havana on a private stretch of land not far from the Mariel port and with the gulf as our backyard. My abuelo made the first move to own property here, more for vacation purposes, but my father transformed the land into a fully functioning colonial monstrosity with a twenty-four-hour staff, a small airstrip—and a private jail at the back end away from the family communal areas.
No neighbors for miles.
No questions asked.
Only one way in and out of the premises.
We also have access on and off the port without bypassing security, something that worked perfectly fine—smoothly—until my guest’s master became greedy. That doesn’t sit well with me or Thiago; their fear, while attractive, can lead to stupid decisions made by the heads of this country.
I’ll kill every one of them first.
Another rancid-smelling bucket of water is thrown on the near-naked man, the rivulets dripping over the side of his gurney and onto the floor. The noise isn’t loud, but just enough to rouse the attention of the other residents of this land.
I’ve always been an animal lover, just like my viejo and his father. Working the land and tending to them is relaxing, a decompression from our day-to-day operations. It’s also one of the reasons I’ve decided to move here permanently in a few weeks.
There’s a freedom here you don’t have in the city.
My brother can rule the 305 while I overthrow a government.
The Mariel port will continue to be our gateway to Miami. Our products enter and disperse from there, while I receive and account for everything here. It’s how I pay back what I owe him while also following my own path.
Two bosses.
A few partners.
One familia.
To be worthy of her.
Moreover, we have plenty of livestock here, from cows to chickens, a few goats, horses, and lastly, hogs. Large ones. Hungry ones. The kind that always stay near the rear of the building and I moved their pen closer because of it, with a back door that lets them in and out.
The noises alone haunt those staying here as our personal guests; the shivers and soiling of themselves is quite disgusting. I’m used to the fact but do bite back a grin at the look that overtakes Israel’s face.
Junior isn’t fazed, though. Not when Miguel, his father, has worked for the family for years and is trusted. The kid’s come into his own in the last few months working with me. Steadier—sure of himself—and has earned the right to move up in rank.
However, the newer of the two soldiers, Israel, a recommendation from Luna’s uncle from his time with the Miami Police Department—his rookie partner before making the mistake of trusting another officer—is a different beast. That man took a small bribe from a celebrity needing to make the evidence against him—the drugs and guns confiscated in his possession—disappear.
Israel did a favor and caught the false charge.
He’s been out now for a few months, and I offered him a position. His knowledge comes in handy.
