That and Connor beating the hell out of Tia’s dad were the reason Tia’s stepmother met with me instead of brushing me off. Apparently, the only way to earn the Maderos’ respect was to punch it into them.
“We have friends and alliances. My aunt is from House Seaton! My dad knows people.”
This kid was so irritating. “I’m sure he does. I once saw a recording of Dave Madero ripping a person’s head off. Picture it in your head. He grabbed a grown man by his neck and twisted the skull off like it was a bottle cap.”
Silence.
“You attacked his daughter.”
“That’s not what happened!”
I picked up one of the fence posts and twisted it in my hands. Annoying. So annoying.
“House Madero knows their rep. They understand that if any violence happens in their vicinity, people will blame them whether they did it or not. All members of House Madero wear bodycams. The cameras activate automatically when the Maderos leave their compound, and turning them off sends an alert to the family. I bet you didn’t know that, did you?”
The cistern went quiet.
I pulled up a video on my phone. The recording was paused, and on the screen Phillip, a thin blond kid, was caught in mid-shout, his mouth open and his face weird.
Tia hadn’t disabled her bodycam. She also thought I had seen the footage, because she figured out that I’d talked to her stepmother, who had access to it. Mrs. Madero had gotten worried and came to the gym just as we finished our light workout. Tia became heated with her stepmother, and Mrs. Madero explained that she hadn’t watched the footage, because she respected her daughter’s privacy. Then Tia needed a moment and went to the bathroom for a while. I got my footageand Phillip’s location and got out so they could have their family time.
I restarted the recording and turned the sound up.
“Stop! We’re not done!”
“We are so done, Phillip. We are over.”
“Tia! I said you can’t leave! TIA! I said STOP!”
On the screen, a sheet of blue ice shot from Phillip. For a moment it blocked out the view and then Tia’s fist smashed into it. Cracks fractured the ice wall. She hit it again, then again, and the ice bubble burst.
“You iced her.”
“I didn’t hurt her! I just didn’t want her to leave!”
“You encased your girlfriend, the person you’re supposed to love and care about, in a block of ice, because she broke it off with you after you embarrassed her in front of everybody.”
“I didn’t mean...”
“Phillip. This is not high school. This is big-boy, adult shit. You attacked a member of a combat House. There are consequences. This could start a feud. Your mom and dad can’t get you out of it, because if this comes out, they will be too busy screaming while Dave Madero twists their heads off.”
Silence.
“He can’t do that. There are rules,” he said finally.
“Oh good. How could I forget that House Madero is famous for their rule-following. Let me explain to you what will happen: this footage goes public. Dave Madero gets his brothers, and the five of them go over to House Seaton. House Seaton views that footage and realizes that you are at fault. Sure, they can feud with the Maderos, but it will be dangerous and expensive. You are not worth it.”
“My dad?—”
“Will be very upset, but he has to think about your mom and your two brothers. Why should they pay for this mess you made?If Dave is feeling charitable, you will be jailed. Your family will still likely pay a massive restitution.”
“She put me in here! Doesn’t that count as kidnapping?”
“It does, but I just recorded you saying that you wanted to kidnap her first.”
“I didn’t!”
I replayed the recording for him.“I just didn’t want her to leave!”
