10 UNHINGED
1662 Words
Hector POV
I am f*****g livid when we leave from meeting with Alice. She was meant to be mine. By the time we arrive at my home, I have cracked both the dashboard in the SUV and the passenger window.
Gabriel is nervous, as he should be. No one f*****g tells me no. I exit the vehicle, slamming the door. I hear the window shatter as I turn.
I stomp around the front of the vehicle, daring anyone to get in my way, stopping in front of Gabriel, standing by his door, eyeing me warily.
“I was originally going to wed her and get her in line like Papa did to Madre. Now, I will f**k her till I’m tired of her, then put her in one of the brothels for anyone to use,” I tell him.
The b***h will regret denying me.
The look of shock on his face makes me smirk. She will regret refusing me. I will make sure of it.
“Get 2 of our best men. I want her taken alive and brought to me. We know where they live,” I order.
Gabriel looks worried by my words, and men gather around from my yelling.
“After we have her, we will find a way into that compound and end them. I have been underestimated long enough,” I state, so sick of not being taken seriously.
Thinking of how the Marino’s and Bratva have always pushed us out of Las Vegas. First, we will take down the Marino’s and Lightning. Then, the Bratva will either treat us as equals or die.
The money we could make running a pipeline of drugs through the city would be enormous.
“It’s time we take our place in Vegas. f**k them all,” I say with venom.
“Boss, this will mean war. Your dad isn’t going to like you starting a war over a woman,” Gabriel says.
I feel the rage boiling inside me at his blatant disrespect for my authority. “My father doesn’t run things now! I do!” I yell, pulling my gun and shooting him between the eyes.
“I am done being disrespected and questioned,” I roar out.
”Not by outsiders and certainly not by my f*****g men. Get this cleaned up,” I order.
Several men hurry in my direction as I wave my gun around. They pick Gabriel’s dead body off the ground, carrying him off.
“I need you two in my office now,” I say, pointing to two of my best men who oversee our runs. Surely, they can grab one woman and deliver her to me.
“Follow me to my office,” I say as I storm into the mansion.
As I make my way through the main living area, the maids scatter. I’m sure the anger I’m feeling is radiating off me.
We enter my office, and I immediately sit behind my desk. “Well, don’t just stand there. You!” I yell, pointing to one. “Pour me a drink,” I order.
He walks over to the bar, grabs the tequila, and pours me a double, carrying it to me.
I take it and look at the other man. “Shut the door. We have much to discuss.”
He shuts the door and then sits in front of my desk.
”As you both know, I traveled to meet with Alice. She refused me, and no one tells me no.”
I pause, taking a drink and leaning back in my chair, looking between my men. “You two know where the drop point is,” I watch as they both give me a nod in answer.
”She works there. She may live on that compound also. Your job is to find her and bring her to me. Alive and unharmed for now. Am I clear?” I ask.
“She refused you after what you did for her?” One asks.
“She doesn’t know I ended her damn stalker. I’m sure the b***h just thinks he gave up,” I said, slamming my glass down on the desk.
“She shouldn't have gone to that club in the first f*****g place!” I yell, throwing my glass against the wall and shattering it.
“I overheard Gabriel tell you she only watched, never participated, according to a woman he questioned outside of the club,” one of my men says.
“Si, well, no one has seen her since,” I growl. Now, I don't have anyone who can tell me what she does inside the club.
His eyebrows draw together. ”How will we recognize her?” he asks. “Yes, you and Gabriel are the only two that have seen Alice,” my other man says.
Fuck he is right. “You can’t mistake her for anyone else. She has long blonde hair with purple and red streaks,” I say with a smirk.
She and Lightning look nothing alike. “You stake out the compound. Take her, then bring her to me. While you are there, find me an entry point or weakness in that place. There has to be one. We are going to take them out,” I inform them.
Both of their eyes go wide. I know their reputation, but everyone has a weakness. I don’t know how close lightning is to my Alice. But If I have to use Alice as leverage to lure Lightning out, so be it. They are all going down.
My office door slams open, and my father comes barrelling in.
”Why the f**k did I see Gabriel's dead body being carried off?” He yells, pointing at me.
”He disrespected me and my authority,” I replied, sitting up straight.
He eyes my men sitting in front of me, then looks back at me. “What the hell is going on?” he asks. But it's not a question. It's a demand, and that pisses me off.
He doesn’t run things anymore. I do. I stand, squaring my shoulders.
”I will take what should have been ours years ago—our rightful place in Las Vegas. I will take down anyone standing in my way,” I inform my Papa.
His face remains stoic, but I see the wheels turning in his mind. “This has something to do with that woman you have been chasing?” he says.
How the f**k does he know about Alice? I haven’t mentioned anything in front of him or Madre. One of my men isn’t loyal. I bet it was f*****g Gabriel. Good riddance to him.
My anger rises, and Papa’s eyes tell me he knows the answer.
”You want to start a war over a simple woman, son?” He asks, but his tone tells me he thinks I’m an i***t.
I’m sick of not getting the respect I deserve. That includes my own father. Always talking down to me like I’m never good enough.
I step around the desk and look him directly in the eye. “Las Vegas should have been divided into thirds years ago. You know this. The damn Marino’s and Bratva think they are too good for drugs or guns. So, we were pushed to the outskirts of the city to operate. No more Papa. They give us our due, or we take it,” I tell him with finality.
He studies me carefully. “Be smart about it and call a meeting before jumping into war. Going against both the Marino’s and Bratva would mean gathering all our forces and a bloodbath. Consider that carefully, son. As for this woman,” he pauses, going to the bar and getting a drink.
”She works for Lightning, yes?” he says. “Si Papa,” I reply.
“Lightning and those working for him are an unknown. Leave the woman alone. Find one more submissive and weak than the one you have been chasing after,” He states.
He doesn’t know what I know about Lightning. “Lightning is a woman and is very pregnant at the moment,” I state with a grin. I know that will get his attention. He has always told me that a woman should know her place, and it's not in business.
”A female?” he questions with raised eyebrows. “Si papa,” I say.
We both know women are weak. I bet she hides in that compound, and her kills on jobs are just exaggerated. I laugh at the thought.
My papa looks thoughtful, taking in the knowledge. “This Lightning’s services are invaluable,” he murmurs.
I might as well fill him in on the rest. “She is also married to the Marino brothers,” I say, watching his facial expression.
He shakes his head. “Hijo (son), leave this alone. You are itching for a war out of emotion that will destroy us. Emotions and business don't mix. Do you understand me?” His face is firm, and his voice is stern as he slams his glass down.
Fuck this s**t. “Anyone who stands in my way of what is rightfully mine will find out what I am capable of, papa. That goes for you, too,” I say in a deadly tone.
My days of being underestimated are over. I point to the two men still watching us. “Go do what you were told,” I order.
They storm out of the room. I cast a last look at my Papa, who is shaking his head at me.
I walk out of my office. I need a release. I grab the newest maid, who has been flirting with me this past week, by the arm and drag her down the hall to my room. I will take my frustrations out on her until I get my hands on Alice.
- Writer
