I sighed. “We rarely do kidnappings. The Castillo’s are too busy for levantóns. We do not want war, we want profits.”
“Except when it came to Alberto Mancini,” she uttered the words in a low tone.
I snapped my head up at her and stated also in a low tone, “That was personal.”
“Oh si, I imagine it was. He dared to sleep with your sister, did he not?”
I hid my rage and also wondered if I too had some kind of twitch to show my true feelings. She’d hit a sore spot I admit. I’d wanted that man dead for that. Double dead if there was such a thing. However, I already knew I wouldn’t be going after the Mancinis, ever again. If I even survived this kidnapping. “We had a war going on long before that.”
“Si, I imagine that didn’t help though. I admired what she did. What better way to get revenge on Santiago and also keep herself safe from his wrath as well.”
Selena did have a good point and I admit I never considered those motives before. I shrugged and laid fully back against the pillows. “I will admit it enraged me, but… now…”
Tilting her head at me, she urged, “Now?”
I couldn’t tell her about the dreams. Or what I saw while I was under that coma. I had yet to sort all of that out, but my absolute hatred for Mancini seemed to be gone. My lust for retaliation and getting at his daughters – like I’d been doing when I was injured – was also gone. In fact, many of the reasons I did the things I did in the past were gone. “I have different priorities now.”
“Such as?” This time her non-emotional mask slipped as she suddenly looked very curious.
“Such as finding Gabriela’s kids. Such as finding out who killed my best friend. And finding out a few other things.”
Her whole expression changed, though it would be hard to discern just what she felt at my answer. “So you do not know where they are?”
I stared at her and replied, “I never said that.”
“Then youareaware of their location?” She never took her eyes from my face.
“I will ask you again, why are you asking about them?”
“I do not wish to harm them,” she assured me in a firm, even tone.
“That is easy to say but harder to prove,” I retorted.
“I am a woman of my word, Senor Castillo. If I say I will not hurt them, I will not.”
I studied her. How curious. She seemed determined to get the location of these kids. Why would she need this information though? Except to use as leverage. That was the way the cartels worked. All for the game of getting ahead. The war of making money. Competing for territory. To be king of the hill. “It is only fair that I know the real reason,” I defended my logic. “If I wanted to ask about say… your brother, would you just tell me all about him without knowing why I wish to find out about him?”
Her eyes widened as they now glittered anew at me. “How fucking dare you!” she exclaimed in anger as she stood from the chair and stepped back. She didn’t bother to hide her emotions now. No, they were right out there to see. “You have no right to even bring him into this!”
At her angry reaction, I stared at her. Well damn, I sure hit a nerve in her now. This emotional outburst went against the whole bravado bit she had going on. Was it that she was that protective of her family? Or was it just her brother? Intriguing. Si, that was the word to describe Selena Vargas. Intriguing as all fuck.
Chapter Three:Scared Straight
Selena
I glared at him as I clenched my fists at my sides. Taking note of the curious look on his face, I let out a slow breath. I wasn’t doing a great job at holding my cards close to the vest now, was I? I slowly sat back down.
“So, this is personal,” Carlos concluded.
I slowly shook my head. “I do not allow my family to be pulled into my cartel life.”
Cocking his head at me, he said, “Cartels are made up offamilies, Selena. I admit they have foot soldiers that are not of their blood, but the hierarchy is usually all family. It is the same with some Italian mafias. This is why they call them the Famiglia.”
“Bien, gracias for the lesson on criminal organizations, Mr. Castillo,” I quipped as I nodded at him. “However, I am an exception to that rule.”
“That is true. You are not a Diego as far as I could find.”
I felt uncomfortable again at his seemingly plentiful knowledge of me. Here I was after him for the information I needed and he was turning the tables on me. However, I did not know that he had looked into me or my reputation. “Did you actually research me?” I asked outright.
