My father shakes his head. “Nope, me either.” He pauses and then says, “So what are you gonna do?” My father is eager to hear my plan. I think he misses, to some extent, being in the middle of everything.
“Well, this is where it gets tricky. After all that, we found out Romeo is working for the CIA. He’s untouchable, or so he thinks.”
“Mikey, what are you planning?” I really hate it when he takes that fatherly tone with me as if I’m about to do something wrong.
“We’re going after what he loves most. Sainte is going in, taking his wife, niece, and money. I’ve got it worked out so that none of the blowback falls on the family or the MC.”
“And what do you intend to do with them once you have them?”
I get up from the chair and walk over to the window. Peering out, I say, “I’m gonna give him a taste of his own medicine. He’s gonna know what it’s like to wonder what is being done to his wife.” I turn toward my father, “You know there is only so much I can take where Zaira is concerned.”
My father nods.
“They also give me bargaining power in the event we can’t get the money.”
“I can’t fault you there.” He straightens himself in bed, shifting a little. “Okay, and Romeo?”
“We’re gonna wait until all the dust settles and then I’m gonna let Ice have him. Right now, I can control Ice, but if I let it go too long, I won’t be able to. He holds Romeo completely responsible for Hawk’s death.”
My father is silent for what seems like an eternity, and I’m expecting him to come back and tell me it is a bad plan and that we are gonna fail. To my surprise, he says, “I think you have thought this out well. I’m not saying it’s foolproof, but then again, nothing we ever do is.” He laughs. “I’m proud of you, son.”
“Thanks, Pop. That means a lot.”
“So did you bring me a stogie?”
“No! I did not and I’m not going to. We’ll have one when you are completely well and not a minute sooner. And don’t think about asking Alex for one either. He and I are on the same page on this one.”
“How did I ever raise two self-righteous boys?”
“We’re just like you.” I laugh, and he joins in. I really love these talks with my father. He scared the shit out of me when he was rushed to the hospital, but I am thankful he’s doing much better.
