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“What is this about, Uncle? Is it money?”
“It’s always money, but this is more, I’m afraid.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I know you remember the name Rodrigo Esteban.”
Isabella’s blood ran cold. “My father’s picador.”
“You were right to have your suspicions. He murdered your parents.”
Anger flashed up in Isabella and amazement that Don Luis seemed so calm. “Were you in on the plot?”
Her uncle shrugged. “I didn’t want my brother to die, I thought his men would confront him, talk some sense into him. I did ensure Rodrigo and your mother went to the private club that night. I didn’t know they’d be killed, but by the time I found out, it was too late.”
“What were you doing while my father and mother were being murdered, Uncle?”
“I was at a party.” He kept the gun trained on her, but went to fill a shot glass with brandy. “You have to understand, if I’d gone to the police, Esteban would’ve revealed my role in the affair. I might’ve avoided prison, but my role here with you would not be what it is today.”
“Your role here is over.”
He smiled and shook a finger at her. “Tut, tut. Don’t be so sure.”
“Is Esteban making you do this? Did he do something to Renata and Magdalena?” When Don Luis didn’t answer, Isabella continued to try and reason with him. “Turn Esteban in now, I’ll vouch for you. Help me rescue Renata, Magdalena, and the others and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“I can’t. He has made a deal with the cartel, if something happens to him, I die. Esteban has taken your friend and the servants hostage. He has demands.”
“Demands? What kind of demands?”
“Patience. Patience. This is a long story.”
Isabella wanted to scream. Her whole world was crumbling around her. First losing Benedict, and now this.
“I’m not sure I want to hear it,” she said wearily.
“You don’t have a choice. I think if you’re going to lay your life on the line for something, you should understand what’s going on.” He pointed to the couch. “Why don’t you sit down?”
“I’d rather stand, thank you.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “Esteban is in the cartel’s back pocket, he launders money for them and they owe him. He won’t be arrested. I, on the other hand, am being blackmailed. I’ve been doctoring my horses, giving them steroids. I’ve thrown races for money. But now, he wants more.”
“What, more money? More what?”
Footsteps coming from the hall caused Isabella to jerk around her. Rodrigo Esteban stood there, carrying his own gun. “This is simple revenge, my dear.”
Isabella stared at Esteban. He was older, but still recognizable, with his hooked nose and close-set eyes. Even as a child he’d made her skin crawl. “You killed my family!”
She stood and ran toward him, her fists raised to strike him, but her uncle stopped her, clasped her arm and pulled her back.
“Don’t be a fool!” Don Luis yelled at her.
“Your father was a fool, thinking he could change history and tradition. His move hurt us all, he destroyed my career, my dream.” Esteban smiled at her, an evil smile. “And now I find out you are following in his footsteps. You are La Diosa.”
“How did you know?”
“You stood up to my bull, Hurricane. Did you not know he belonged to me? I’m surprised you survived. The bulls I raise are given an intensive…and painful training program. They are taught to fight, to resist, and to prevail. Failure is rewarded with punishment.”
Esteban’s words made Isabella want to throw up. “What do you want?” she screamed at him. “I’ll give it to you if it’s in my power, just don’t hurt my friends!”
