Bound by love, a heart never free.

My kids are in danger.

Benedict

My life wasn't exactly how I had envisioned it. As I sat on the plane looking out the window I thought of Josephine.

I was never truly happy my entire life. This woman created a new world of possibilities for me. I saw things more clearly with her.

All I wanted to be in life was a strong leader, to build my own empire and scatter my seed with so many women to create a lasting legacy.

I never told Josephine that I had bought her to give me more children, I wanted at least 20 kids.

I gave each of my baby Momma's what a man like me could.

They were all good women that assured me they were lucky to have been chosen by me, a good lover and provider.

In return they stayed loyal to me.

My kids are what is important to me, I have 6 sons and one daughter.

They are surprisingly smart, funny, playful. None of them show a violent, angry side to them, not like their father.

The youngest is Elijah he is only 4. He was my baby. I spent the most time with him as an infant. Bonita is his mother as well as Jaun 5, and Emilio who is 6.

Connie gave me three sons, Stephan, also 6. Leonardo and Eduardo 7 year old twin boys.

And lastly my daughter, Estella 8 years old. She was my very heart that one.

Her mother Angelina was my first slave.

I called them slaves, truly they are my family. I respect and love them all.

They are all free to go, I never wanted to marry any of them. I knew right away I wanted to marry Phina. She is very special.

I know my ways are very unconventional, but so were my fathers, it's all that I know.

I could think of nothing else but family now. I have chosen to let go of my criminal life, to settle my debts and be Benedict Campbell.

It wasn't too much of a stretch, my middle name is Benedict and my mother's maiden name was Campbell.

I wanted my mother to be proud of me, she loved my wife, I wish she knew that I love my wife enough to change for her.

***********

I landed in Costa Maya, it was very dark outside now. My private plane came to a stop and I unbuckled my seat belt.

Arturo was waiting in a black SUV. I grabbed my bag and ran to his car. I didn't want to be seen here. I had an auction to attend.

" Hey boss, I got the items you requested." Arturo held up a bag to me.

We pulled over as I began to transform into a new man. I now sported a beard and mustache, thick black rimmed glasses and a curly black wig.

I put stuffing into my shirt making me have a large belly.

Arturo nodded. "You look like a sleaze ball." He laughed.

My phone buzzed.

" Yes?" I answered.

" You never showed at the airport, that's disappointing Manuel." the voice said.

" I am in Mexico, I need you to continue your mission to find my wife Josephine. I am fulfilling my part of the bargain with Ian. No more threats on my family, understood?"

" That's wonderful, but I wish you would have told me this before I got angry, sorry Manuel.

I will go now and find your wife, I cannot promise she will be in good shape when you get her back you asshole."

The person, I wasn't sure they were a man or woman. What did they mean " Got angry?"

I received a call from Texas, my daughter Estella.

" Hi baby you ok, Stella?" I was worried now, it was very late to be calling.

" Daddy, I'm scared. There was a big fire. We were told to hide in the basement and not come out. I took my phone to call you like you told me to.

Daddy it's really smokey here. That big security guy, Almondo, he's missing."

I was livid. " Where's Rachel?"

Rachel was the lead nanny.

" She ran away, she was really scared when the barn exploded."

" Ok, I'm sending Arturo to get you. Don't leave. Arturo is coming for you. I love you, good girl honey. Take care of your brothers."

" Of course, I am an Ortega am I not?" She said sounding proud and brave.

" You are, and guess what...you are the best Estella Ortega a daddy could want, I'm so proud of you honey."

I sent Arturo up to Texas, it wasn't too far away. He would be there in a few hours.

I made a call, thinking of the only person I totally trusted to take my 7 children.

" Hello?" a tired voice answered.

" I need help, my kids are in danger, technically you are their Abuelo, so I need you Joe."

"Ben? Do you know what time it is? Also what the f**k is an Abuelo?"

" It's grandpa, and someone burned down my barn, it was a sign to me that my kids were in danger. I know I can trust you and Claire, you are family."

" I see, yes bring them all. I will keep them safe son, I promise you."

I knew he would.

I sat back and took a deep breath, feeling the panick subside. Now I could concentrate on taking down the traffickers. Specifically the tall man, as Jo described him.

I never liked that guy. He goes by Chico Sanchez. Who knows his real name.

Jo had flashes of memory of what he and some of the other perverts had done to my wife.

I wish I had gotten to her before they did. Things would be so different.

I called Ian.

" So you finally returned to fulfill your bargain." He sounded pissed.

" Your agent burned down my barn Ian, unacceptable." He could tell I was livid.

" Well, she goes rogue from time to time, she has a bit of a temper, just Iike you Ortega."

" She..huh?.It was hard to guage by her voice." I wondered who the hell she was.

" Well, her name is Lavender. She goes by that or just Blue.

When I met her she was dressed as a man. I had no clue he was a she. She is a master of disguise Ortega.

She makes herself fit into any situation, that makes her quite effective, dangerous yes, but effective non the less. She will find Josephine."

" My wife better be found whole, happy, and alive." I warned.

" Of course, CIA operatives have strict guidelines. That's why I need someone like you to do the dirty work you animal."

He didn't hold back from calling it as it was. I was a beast when it came to revenge. This much had been true.

After this little assignment, I would swear off the underworld life. I wanted to be legit now, for my family.

" Meet me at the auction house, come loaded. We might need all the firepower you can carry."

I felt a bit strange listening to Ian's words. I had a six sense that usually proved to be right.

In this situation, I had a bad feeling about this. It was too clean. "Get the bad guys and go home, done. Mission completed." Ian said.

Only...I was one of those bad guys. I was just like them. I shook my head, trying to clear it.

I would come prepared, I tucked my phone and a large knife into my boot.

I wasn't sure I could even trust Ian.

I quickly made my way down to the small villa where the men held the secret auctions.

I listened outside of the door a few moments.

Ian snuck up behind me, not recognizing me at first. He put a gun to my back. "This is a private event, invite only." He warned. I guess he didn't want civilian casualties?

Before I could tell him it was me, a large guy with an even bigger gun motioned for both of us to go inside. "Sanchez is starting the auction, best go inside amigos."