Eduardo drops onto the couch like I want him here. “I was supposed to have a meeting with their president, Smoke, but I got a little held up. He got pissed and called it off ‘cause I was late.” He laughs. “Who knew an outlaw biker would be anal about time?”
Typical Eduardo, thinking the world revolves around him.
“I can only imagine what made you late.”
“Hey, meeting up with these outlaws had me tense, so I stopped at a bar for some courage, and I met this girl.”
“It’s always something with you. Alcohol, gambling, women.”
“Benito wasn’t happy about it either—until I told him I saw you.”
“I’m not going back.” I point to the door. “So, you can leave now.”
“Maybe Benito doesn’t want you back. Maybe you’re more useful here.”
“How could I be useful to Benito?”
“You just don’t get it.” Eduardo shakes his head. “He could’ve sent his muscle to grab you, but instead he sent me to make a deal. He thought me being your brother, you’d listen to me.”
“Right, ‘cause you’ve been such a wonderful brother. Selling me off to the highest bidder to save your ass.” I throw my hands up. “I don’t know how you can even look at me knowing what you did.”
“So, you had to make a few deliveries.”
“A few deliveries?” I storm around the room. “I was guarded day and night, and given just enough food to survive.”
Maxie’s words about my weight rang in my head. A total stranger was worried about me, but not my own flesh and blood.
“Do you know what they would’ve done to me if I didn’t make that deal?”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but whatever it was, you probably deserved it.”
“Nice way to talk to your brother.” He had the nerve to pout.
“You sold me to the cartel,” I scream, inches from his face.
“And you managed to escape, but your alliance with the Bastards could work in Benito’s favor. Which would help me too. He was pissed when you ran off, and he blames me.”
“Forget it, I’m not doing anything to hurt these people.”
“Benito knows you’re hanging with the Bastards, but he doesn’t know exactly where you’re living—unless I tell him.”
“Now you’re threatening me?”
“The way I see it, we’re both in this together.”
“Right, because you’re using me as leverage to save your sorry ass.”
“Like it or not, you really don’t have that many choices.”
More like no choices.
I let Eduardo’s words sink in, and the truth sends a shiver up my spine. Benito’s power is far-reaching. Kickbacks from the border patrol, extortion and drug trafficking. His tentacles touch every part of Mexico. If he wanted to find me, I’d already be gone. Eduardo hiding my whereabouts just delayed the process.
“He’s setting up a deal with the Royal Bastards and the underground casino he’s opening just outside of Tijuana. The Bastards will run security, and he’ll let them launder their dirty money. Win-win.”
“And how would I possibly fit into any of thatfor Benito?”
“As a spy.” Eduardo spits out the sentence like it’s a logical explanation.
