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“Because I’m an idiot.”
“Very true.”
Francis takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “For what it’s worth, Javier, I’m so sorry about what happened to your Mrs. Ida…how we left her there. I regret that more than you’ll ever know.”
“And I’ll see you in hell one day, parce.” With that, I swing the machete clear across his chest, tearing open his flesh from shoulder to rib. Blood spills and his scream of pain overtakes every inch of the room while those inside begin a slow clap. One by one, the witnesses make their approval heard as the noise level drowns out Francis’s pain. “Mercy or pain?”
“Pain.”
“Pain.”
“Pain.”
It’s a chant that grows louder, the small windows rattling, and I nod, lifting the machete high again. The next strike is down his injured shoulder, embedding deep before I leave a matching slice across the opposite arm.
The puddle beneath him grows. The strength in his body is depleted and he slumps forward on all fours. “Please end me, Javier.”
“It’ll come sooner than you think.” One by one, I leave cuts across his body from the neck down. His face is left alone and only so his family can bury him without further trauma.
“Thank you.” Those are his final words as the last blow is delivered to the back of his neck. My blade stays lodged as he falls, the final breath escaping while his mouth is now stained by the blood trickling from the corner.
“Let this be a lesson to those who ever try to rise against the Lucas family. Next time, I won’t be as forgiving.” Faces nod and people turn toward the door as the seconds begin to pass. They go back home to their families while Alejandro’s men begin to remove the bodies, and it’s when Gil is placed inside a bag and wheeled out that my cousin approaches once more, a damp towel in his hand. “Thanks, primo.”
“Our get-togethers have always been entertaining.”
“Would you have it any other way?”
“No.” Alejandro claps me on the shoulder then, a laugh booming out of him. “You remember our last trip to Mexico?”
“How can I forget.” There’s a smirk across my face as I remember what led to the showdown with a local cartel boss. “Who knew turning down a gold-digger would cause such a mess. I lost my favorite gun in that exchange.”
“There’s a replica in the car for you.”
“It’s the least you can do.” We both let out a chuckle, making our way outside and toward my SUV where I pause to admire the gaudily wrapped box atop the hood. “The paper is hideous.”
“Shut it and smile.”
“I’m going to miss you, asshole.”
“And it won’t be the same without you here.” He turns and leans against the front grill. “Are you sure about Chicago?”
“I’m a wanted man.”
“Aren’t we all in this family?”
“True.” I mimic his stance, and we both watch the sun begin to set across the skyline. “But something is pulling me in that direction, and I’m following my instincts. Besides, I’ve been made a very lucrative offer.”
“How good?”
“Enough to keep me occupied for a year.”
“And you trust this person?”
“He comes highly recommended.” It’s the best I can give him, and he nods. In this business, no one has morals and everyone has ulterior motives—myself included.
“Just remember that this will always be home, Javier.”
“And blood is always thicker than water.”
