“Battle,” I whisper the word that usually sends people running.
It’s a very unconventional surname for anyone, let alone someone of Cuban descent. But my grandfather chose it carefully years before I was ever born. I drop my head in shame at what my family is known for.
I didn’t choose them, and for all the wrong they do, they’re still my family, and I love them.
Does that make me a horrible person?
I used to think so, and that’s why I wanted to become a nun. Until abuelo told me that wasn’t going to happen at dinner. The memories are slowly coming back to me now.
“You’re Jose Miguel Battle’s granddauthger. The founder of the Latin Kings?” He turns to look at me slowly.
His eyes are narrowed. The face I thought handsome has turned rigid and cold. I look away as I nod.
“So you know him then.” He lets out a loud noise I can only describe as a snarl accompanied by a hysterical laugh.
“That motherfucker! Of all the women, he sends his only true heir. Are you even eighteen yet? Did he tell you who I am? What I’ve done!” His voice grows deeper and lower the longer he talks.
“I’ve heard your name several times. I got the impression abuelo hated you for some readon but I was never told why.” He finally opens the door and grabs a large red bag with a white cross on it before slamming the door shut.
He slams the bag down next to me and glares down at my face.
“Your grandfather is one of the world’s most distinguished men I’ve ever met. He’s had whole villages of people killed for the drugs he could make in the fields they owned. He’s sold the children and women into slavery. Sold drugs to anyone who could pay and has butchered innocents in gang-related wars that have lined his pockets for decades. And none of that compares to the shit I’ve done.” He rips open the medical bag and starts pulling out supplies.
“What have you done?” Nothing he said about abuelo is a shock to me.
I don’t scare easy but I need to know what I’m dealing with.
“I’m the monster your family fears. The only man to stand up to your grandfather and live to talk about it. It’s the reason I’m here in hiding waiting for the old fuck to die.” I shake my headat his words as he reaches for the blanket and moves it out of his way to start cleaning off the wound.
“I don’t understand. He wouldn’t leave you alive unless he needed or wanted something from you. If you were a threat to my family, you’d be dead.” He chuckles darkly at my words.
I thought I understood my family pretty well. I’ve stayed quiet and observed more than they could ever possibly dream. They all think I’m a weak young girl who has lived this charmed, sheltered lifestyle, but I was always in the shadows watching, learning. It’s why I vowed never be like them. To give myself for god to save their souls.
If I could do as much good in my life, surely God would forgive my family of their sins.
How naive have I been to think I wasn’t as expendable as all the rest?
“What did you do?” I ask again, knowing that whatever it is will change my life.
“Oh, Rosario. I killed your parents.”
Chapter Four
Bruno
Ibrace for her reaction.
I wait for the slap I’m sure will hit my face any moment. But she just stares at me blankly as if the words I have just spoken were foreign to her. I put the alcohol soaked cotton pad to her wound, and she jumped with a yelp.
“Fish sticks and custard!” What the fuck did she just say?
“Are you cursing in Dr. Who?” I soften my touch as I clean away the blood.
“You know the Doctor?” I’m not sure if I should be offended by that question.
“Since Tom Baker.” I take out the suturing kit and prep the items as she watches me.
“Who?” Christ, I really need to figure out how old this girl is.
