“No… it doesn't add up. Papá was next in line to take over from Angelo. Blanco had every opportunity to challenge him and didn't. Why would he wait all these years to finally gun down Papá in an alleyway?”
I walk across the room and turn on the monitors, letting them see the setup for themselves.
“How do you know this team won’t betray us?” Matheus moves behind the desk and sits in the chair.
I shrug. “Because I know too much about them.”
Tomás sighs heavily. “You set all this up to protect the girl?”
“Yes. It’s all about her… and my son.” I admit. “I want my family protected at all costs, even when I take a step back. I don’t want to be a full-time sicario anymore, Tommy. I’m not standing down or abandoning you. I’m just trying to figure out a way to be a better father than Papá… and be the guy India deserves.”
My wrist vibrates and the hairs on my nape rise like hackles. My property’s sensors have detected something. I march over to the keyboard and tap, bringing up the outdoor surveillance cameras for Blackwater.
A cold chill freezes my veins, and my heart stops beating.
“What’s wrong?” Matheus asks.
“Fuck…” I scramble to pick up the radio on the desk. “Soldiers!” My voice is loud and sharp. “Load up and get ready. This is code fucking red.”
“What the fuck is going on, Gio?” André draws his handgun and Matheus bounces to his feet.
“Blackwater… there’s incoming helicopters.” I swallow my panic and head straight for the weapons cabinet to gather up the rocket launchers. “We have to get back… NOW!”
India
Waiting for Leo outside his bedroom, I press my shoulders into the wall and blow out loudly. What a day. The sun has set, but the air is still electric.
After Giovanni led his brothers out of the house, I hung around while Lola supervised Leo’s bedtime routine, the knots in my stomach growing tight.
I can’t figure out why I’m so unsettled, not when the four brothers have an unbreakable bond and left here on friendly terms.
Well, Giovanni and André haven’t exactly made up. But they aren’t throwing fists at each other either, so I guess they’ll work through it.
It’s quiet now without their deep voices, the atmosphere dark and secretive all over again.
“Will you read me a story?” Leo appears in the lamp lit hallway, his curls damp and his fresh navy pajamas one size too big.
His wide smile lights me up from the inside. There’s something so pure and innocent about the little guy. He takes my hand like we’ve known each other forever.
A fierce need to protect him weaves through my muscles, making them that bit stiffer and my mind more alert. Daenis circles my legs and sits between us.
Knowing his uncles are finally aware of Leo’s existence should pacify me. Only it doesn’t. I can’t shake this weird feeling. I have a restless sense that something isn’t quite right.
“How about we go to the library in the manor and chill on the couch together?” I ask him. “There are heaps of good books in there.”
He nods at me. “Will those men stay here tonight? Papá’s brothers?”
We walk along the hallway together, with Daenis trotting ahead. “I’m not sure what their plans are. One thing about the Souzas is you never know what they’re planning from one minute to the next.” I laugh a little.
“Where did Yanni take them?”
“He wanted to show them something he’s been working on. He said he’d be back in a couple of hours.”
Leo falls silent. He’s used to his father’s ways, even if he doesn't understand why the man comes and goes so much.
“Anyway.” I gently squeeze his tiny hand in mine. “Now Lola’s having her downtime, we can do whatever we want.”
His long lashes flick up and he looks up at me, mischief dancing in his warm cocoa-colored eyes. “Can we eat candy?”
