“What do you mean?”Leon frowned.
“You believe that he came here to set up a shipping route with this man from Italy, right?”she asked.
Leon nodded.“That’s what we think, si.”He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers under his chin.
She shook her head.“I don’t think that is all his brothers had in mind when they followed him here.”Nodding, she said, “Si, I think that is what Paulo was going to do but I think his brothers were going to do much more.”
“And just what do you think they were going to do?”Leon asked.
“They were going to set up a warehouse for producing designer drugs,” Lucinda spoke quietly.“In fact, I believe they were going to use this very house to do that.”Shrugging, she added, “And why not?This place is more secure than anywhere else in the city.You have plenty of outbuildings and cottages to house the men they would need.Of course, your people wouldn’t be allowed to live but the brothers could get their own men in place before long.I think they already have people waiting for the word before they come here.”
Leon growled and exclaimed, “Those minchi stronzos think they will be free to use my home as a drug lab?”
Lucinda clasped her hands together.“I think that is their plan.I’ve been hearing things back home, about how Carlos and Pinta were getting things ready to make the move into Boston.Their boys were bragging about making money hand over fist.They were getting things lined up with a biker’s club to distribute as well.”
Leon scoffed.“Bene, that’s not going to happen.They have to get rid of me first and they are about to find out the hard way I’m not that easy to get rid of.”He stared at her.“Why did you decide to tell me this?”
Lucinda stared at him.“I already knew about the plan to rush your estate after Paulo got in.But I heard other things about this lab.Then once I saw on my phone app that Paulo’s brothers were all coming too?I remembered those rumors about the drug lab.”Shaking her head she went on, “Paulo would have set up a route between here and Europe for smuggling stolen goods while his brothers set up a lab to make poison that would sell very well and probably start another round of killing innocent people.I couldn’t, no...I wouldn’t let that happen.This area is not my homeland, but I cannot let this go by without telling you.I heard you were a fair man, not a cruel one.I didn’t know if you would even listen to me before I came here but I had to try.I had to warn you about what was coming.I know I can’t go back home, not now, not ever.But I knew that before I came here.If any of that family survives they will spread the word and I will be hunted for betraying the cartel, but I’ve learned over the years how to hide and hide well.”
Leon just stared at her for a long moment then he asked, “When do you think Paulo’s brothers will come for my head?”
“I believe they will come when you least expect them to.”
“And when will that be?”Storm growled.“Like soon or what?”
“Not until darkness can hide them.”She shrugged.“Those two think the whole world shuts down after the sun goes down.They like to catch a person aware and when they are least likely to be on guard.To them that means the middle of the night when the world sleeps.They have made this play so many times and it has always worked for them before.”
Leon just smiled faintly and shook his head.“They do not think of cameras and outside lighting?”
Lucinda shook her head.“Carlos and Pinta have trained their sons to be sneaky.They will attempt to knock out any surveillance.But you can easily defend your big house whereas they think they are protected by their own power.I’m sure Carlos and Pinta don’t care that Paulo, Manuel and Juan are dead, but you dared to stop their plans and that’s what’s on their mind more than losing members of their family.They really have no familial loyalty.”
John just shook his head and spoke up, “The Gondo family have the wrong priorities for sure.And it’s sad but not unexpected when dealing with cartels.They all work for power rather than the betterment of their own organization.That’s the difference between the cartels and the Familia.Whereas one has survived for many decades and the other is younger and very liable to collapse completely.”
Leon agreed, “Pequeña Lucinda...Be sure of one thing, the Gondo Cartel won’t survive much longer.”He looked over at John and nodded.
John called his own team and let them know what Lucinda had just told them.He then sent some texts as well.He slipped out of the room to get things ready for the after dark attack.
Storm grabbed his phone and began texting as well to have his own people start looking for Paulo’s brothers.He told them he needed numbers and where they were staying. He ended the text with the fact he needed this information as soon as possible.
Pocketing his phone, he looked at Leon and said, “I let my people know who we are looking for.They will be watched and my people will report any movement they make.”
Leon nodded then looked at Lucinda.He could see the tension in her shoulders and the weariness in her eyes.“How long has it been since you’ve had any rest?”he finally asked.
Lucinda chuckled.“Years maybe.”
Leon nodded then looked over at Storm.“Please find her a room and make sure she gets some rest.We’ll have lunch in a few hours.”
Storm nodded.“There’s an open room right next to mine, if you don’t mind.”
Leon nodded.“That sounds good to me.Watch over her.I’ll have someone find her some clean clothes to change into after her nap.”
Lucinda stiffened.“I have some clothes in my vehicle.I knew I wouldn’t be going home again so I packed everything I owned before I left.I may not have much but I’ll survive until I can find work.”
Leon nodded.“I’m sure you will.You are a strong woman and I know you can take care of yourself.But for once, just this one time, let someone else help you.Please rest, have lunch at my table and just breathe.”
Semi Conclusion
––––––––
