Dylan, true to his word, called Mr. Martinez as soon as we left, and now Mateo and Ramón are headed to his place to meet the monster we call Mr. Martinez. Hearing that Mr. Martinez threatened Dylan and his baby solidified the notion for me that he would stop at nothing to get what he wants. I don’t think it is really about family but about him getting what he wants from the wealth and power his alliance and connections with a mafia family would provide.
Mateo has a burner phone hidden. He thought it would be a good idea to have a separate phone that isn’t tracked, just in case his phone is looked at by his father or any of the security details that his father has back at his house. Being a politician allows him to have security for his home, but more people realize that it is more to his connection in an illegal trade that requires this level of protection and secrecy.
I recently placed cameras, which allow us to at least listen in on the conversation. We will have a heads-up to see what is coming our way. Will they make them leave right away? Ramón mentioned that he wanted Evie and Emma to go with Mateo, but I can’t imagine why. Will he keep them as collateral to keep Mateo in line, or will it be for some other advantage?
We’ve had preemptive talks with Mateo and Ramón, so they know to keep the conversation flowing around the island or near the kitchen so that we can hear what they say more clearly. Now it’s time to see how well Mateo has perfected his acting career.
We speed to Eduardo’s office and huddle around his desk, watching the screen. We text Mateo when we get here so that we don’t miss a thing. He and Ramón plan to finish up their chess game, allowing us time to make it back to Houston. The drive back is quiet. Each of us is in our heads and not speaking about the what-ifs.
Eduardo calls his brother on the way, putting it on speaker, and I watch my friend closely. “Hello? Ram?” There is a moment of silence on the line as the international call connects.
“Hey, little brother. To what do I?—”
“Ram, I need you,” Eduardo cuts him off, “ and I need you to call Father and let him know that things have turned for the worse over here in Houston.”
Without hesitation, Ramiro asks, “What do you need? I can be there soon to take over the business if you need to go.”
Eduardo looks over to Emma and tells his brother everything without another thought.
“I’ll be there and have Dad call you. Do not worry about anything over here. Just go to keep Emma safe and do what you have to do. They are messing with the wrong people. Dad will call Emma’s uncle and join forces to do whatever needs to be done. She is your fiancée, and no harm will come to her if we have a say in it.”
Eduardo grabs Emma’s hand and kisses it. “Okay, Ram. Thank you, and hurry, brother. See you soon.”
“See you soon,” is echoed on the other line before it dies.
Now we wait to see what they say at Ramón’s.
They leisurely head to Ramón’s place to put the plan into action as if there are no pressing issues, such as a psychopath waiting to take them away at any given moment.
We hear the door open, and Ramón walks through, followed by Mateo on his heels. They are around the kitchen island talking about predictions for when they will have to leave for Brownsville.
“I should grab my bag from my room just in case we have to leave soon.” A look of confusion passes on Mateo’s face as he disappears down the hall, but then his head jerks toward the door opening a moment later.
And then we all actually see him—Mr. Martinez.
He approaches Mateo slowly, like a predator circling his prey, except Mateo is no one’s prey. His eyes narrow, calculating and assessing his biological father as he steps closer and is now standing before Mateo.
It is hard to dismiss his similarities to this horrible man. They are of similar size and stature: brown skin, brown eyes, and a full head of hair. Mateo’s hair is dark brown, and Mr. Martinez’s is streaked with gray, but it doesn’t take away from his striking features. He could easily pass for his son, but whereas Julian had more of his mother’s facial features, Mateo has strong lines and a square jaw.
Mr. Martinez studies Mateo, sizing him up. Mateo assesses him in return. When their staredown is interpreted by Ramón coming back from the room with his bag, he sets it by the sofa, and Mr. Martinez raises one eyebrow in question.
“Going somewhere, Father?”
Ramón simply shrugs. “I’m not sure, son. Are we going somewhere?”
Mr. Martinez raises his hand. “Not until I have had the opportunity to talk to Mateo. Have you told my son anything yet?”
We see through the camera’s eye Mateo stiffen at the use of the word ‘son,’ but Mr. Martinez doesn’t seem to notice. Ramón shakes his head, saying no.
“I told him you wanted to talk with him and that he would learn of everything soon.”
This seems to please him, and he turns his focus to Mateo. “Well, this has been a long time coming. Your mother kept you from me, and now that my son, Julian, is gone…” he trails off, looking at Mateo. If he is looking for any admission, he won’t find it on our brother’s stoic face. “You are my only remaining son, my only heir.” He reaches to place his arm on Mateo’s shoulder. “My firstborn.”
“You mean I am the only heir, and my mother’s family is also part of the Ortiz mafia that suits your financial endeavors, am I right?”
His smile widens. “Yes, well, that, too,” he admits, running his finger over his bottom lip. “I believe we can do great things together, son.”
“Did you kill my mother?”
