Twisted Tides (Forged Hearts #2)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

JAMESON

“Insanely Illegal Cage Fight” by Dal Av, Jackson Rose

W e set a meeting with the chief of police mid-week. He was hesitant when he initially received the request from Eduardo and Andrés, but as soon as they mentioned removing the threat to his daughter, he was full steam ahead in assisting in any way he could.

When the day to meet him finally rolls around, I wake up early and purposefully. I have a few questions of my own for this man, and the thought of him having any information about how to handle this situation or working together toward a common goal would also be considered a win.

The store is empty at this hour. The large chain bookstore has a sizable cafe in the middle that allows us some discretion but isn’t too big so that we can’t see someone approaching. This is the perfect combination to allow us the opportunity to have this meeting.

We have a clear view of the front doors from where we sit and will notice when he enters. I’ve never met the man, but by looking at his pictures, we should be able to identify him quickly.

I approach the counter, placing our order for some coffees. I peruse the menu further, considering the ‘buy one, get one half-off’ cookies, but decide against them.

That’s when I notice the barista’s book recommendations placed in front of the cashier. A sign that reads, ‘Only five dollars with purchase of a beverage’ is placed between the cookie display and the coffee cups. It’s a romance book.

My upper lip curls in a half smile, making me chuckle aloud. I tilt my head to get a better look and contemplate whether I have seen this particular book at the apartment. I wonder if Evie has read it. She and Emma like to read about kick-ass heroines in polyamorous relationships. I could never be in one of those relationships because the thought of sharing Evie with anyone makes me want to commit all kinds of crimes.

The barista notices me checking out the books on display and raises an eyebrow. I place the book back on its shelf and shrug. “My girlfriend likes to read these types of books.” I raise my arm toward the stack for purchase. The cover model is a scantily clad woman. Her harem of men surrounds her while they all touch her, and their stare shows to anyone looking that her presence consumes them.

I have to admit, it looks hot.

“She has them lying around throughout the apartment,” I go on, my hand reaching behind me as if our apartment is there and she can see all the books. I pick up the book and fan through it before placing it back on the holder. It appears a little crooked, so I straighten it.

She laughs, causing me to look up at her. “Sure. Whatever you say.” She looks behind me, raising her chin upward to the person ready to get the next order.

I feel my face heat and then step away, and when they finally call my order out, I pick up the cups in a holder to return to our table. I hand out the black coffee and wait to see when he approaches.

Right on time, a man in his late forties with a salt-and-pepper military-style buzz cut that matches his mustache enters, head held high, and heads straight for us.

We stand and offer him a seat. It draws the barista’s attention, but she pretends not to notice us. Clever girl, I think to myself. Our table screams danger, but we only want to harm those who have taken something that doesn’t belong to them, and we intend to right that mistake very soon.

“Please, call me Santi.” He holds out his hand to Eduardo, who is leading the meeting. “I was told that we could be mutually beneficial to each other.”

Eduardo nods, and we all stay silent and pensive while observing his reactions to Eduardo’s following words.

“I understand you have had unpleasant dealings with a certain public figure in Brownsville.”

We notice Santi visibly tense, and we spare a quick glance at one another to see if they picked up on it, too. He sits upright, no longer relaxed and wary of his following words.

“I–”

Eduardo holds up his hand. “We are very aware of your problem with Mr. Martinez and him threatening your only daughter. I believe we can help one another because, you see, he has two young women, sisters, that belong to our family. We understand what it is like to have someone take and hurt your family.” His eyes shoot up to mine.

“What did he do to your sister?” His hands ball up in anger. His rage is barely contained beneath the surface.

Eduardo shakes his head. “Not my sister, but my fiancée and her twin sister, who is also my friend’s girlfriend.” He gestures in my direction, and I look at him. I’m sure my eyes are pleading with him to help us.

Andrés speaks up, causing us all to turn our attention to him. “She is my sobrina.”

Adrian speaks after his uncle. “My prima.”

Santi nods in understanding. “They are your family.”

Eduardo looks around at the group gathered at the small table in the cafe. “They are our family, yes, Santi. Mr. Martinez has taken them to sell them off to the highest bidder all because he wants to further his assets and solidify partnerships through their marriage. They are selling them off like cattle, and I want my fiancée and her sister to be back home with us where they belong. With their family.”

He nods, determination lining his facial features. “They threatened my daughter, Meli. If I didn’t turn my attention away from his drug smuggling, he would retake my daughter, and, this time, she might not come back. Meli—” He stops to compose himself before continuing.

“That monster, Oro, assaulted Meli, and she wonders if she’ll be retaken. If that happens, I know she won’t survive mentally or physically.” He rubs his face as if attempting to erase the bad memory from his mind.

Andrés leans in. “Help us get rid of him, and you have my word. He won’t hurt Meli or anyone else again. Any of them.”

Santi nods. “What do you need me to do?”

Eduardo looks over to Andrés, and he nods, giving him permission to relay the idea we came up with earlier.

The remaining days pass in a whirlwind of planning and high emotions. We all realize the severity of the consequences if we fail. Eduardo was a wreck the night before, but I convinced him to ride it out without alcohol.

The time frame is too delicate, in case we need to go in there and break them out, but this way is much better than that. We just have to be patient for a few more hours.

Tonight, we strike when they least expect it. They are undoubtedly planning for us to sneak around like thieves in the night to steal Emma and Evie away, but they are the thieves, and we are merely there to take back what belongs to us—our family.

“Did you get the tuxedos?” Andrés speaks to Adrian as he waltzes into the condo with a few takeout bags. He places everything on the counter and drops the bag he carries with his teeth onto the table.

“Yes, Father. I just couldn’t carry it all.” He scoffs. “Can you help out?”

Seeking any excuse to make the time go by, I jump at the offer. “I’ll go.”

I spring up from the desk chair and practically run out the door to make myself useful. I have been monitoring things at the mansion, but I am so nervous about tonight. I feel the need to release some of this pent-up anxiety. I wish I could go for a run to expel all my nervousness, but I can’t bear to be away from the computer screen for too long.

What if I am out running and then miss a crucial element of the conversation and events of tonight?

I know that we pretty much have the situation handled, but I still think knowing everything possible is helpful. There is no room for errors tonight.

I open the door as Adrian unlocks it with his key fob. Seven tuxedos are lying on the back seat. We will all play our part at the party, but we won’t be on the guest list. In fact, they won’t even know we will be there until it is too late. With blueprints and reinforcements coming in to stay at a safe house located between here and the border, which, mind you, is a few miles away, it should be quite the show.

Adrian and I enter the condo and walk toward the back bedroom where we hand out the tuxedos in the closet. After having a meeting with the police chief, our men, and our family gathered here at the condo, I believe Eduardo when he says that this unified front is enough to bring the girls home and to show these men that they are messing with the wrong family.

Eduardo has reiterated that it isn’t about just bringing the girls home but also teaching a lesson to our enemies who may try to repeat events such as these. The family must show them that they are strong and have the power to defeat their enemies and keep the organization strong. It’s been a long time since someone has dared to challenge them for power, and, like always, the strongest prevail. Luckily, that is us, our blended family, but it doesn’t stop someone from trying to take what is yours.

Eduardo picks up the bag of tacos and takes two. They are passed around until only a bag with a styrofoam-enclosed plate is left. He looks curiously at it. “What’s in there?” he asks, going to open it, and I reach out for it.

“It’s mine.” I take a whiff, and my mouth waters. “It’s a taco salad.”

Eduardo raises one eyebrow. “A taco salad?”

I open the container, and the spiced chicken and veggies smell permeates the air. Nom. Nom. I smack my lips in anticipation.

“A fucking taco salad?” he asks again.

I take a bite of the salad that rests inside a crispy corn shell. It crunches, and light flakes of corn tortillas fly away from my mouth.

“Hm. Yes, bro. It’s the best.”

Eduardo just shakes his head, chuckling. “Whatever you say.” He finishes his tacos in a few bites and walks out of the room, tossing his bags and trash out on the way.

I call out to him over my mouth full of food. “Where are you going?” I take another heaping forkful of my food, groaning as the flavors assault my taste buds.

He turns back to me. “To get ready. I want to look my best when I rescue my fianceé.” He winks at me before he disappears behind the door.

It takes everyone a while to get ready, but there are a couple of bathrooms where we take turns showering and getting changed into our tuxedos. We call up Santi to see how everything is going on his end.

“Santi, is everything a-go for tonight?” Eduardo has him on speaker so that we can all listen to his response.

“Yes, I have all my men in place, and they have been made aware of what will happen tonight.”

“What about your wife and daughter? Are they at the safe house now, just out of an abundance of caution? We want to ensure their safety. When we eliminate the threat, they can return home.”

There is silence on the other line, but we can hear his breathing pick up. He blows out a breath.

“That would be great. Thank you, Eduardo. We want to help you, too, and it has been a long time coming.”

Although we can’t see him, I imagine him nodding in agreement.

“It has, and I am glad that it will soon be coming to an end. I’ll see you soon, then.” He hangs up the call, and Eduardo tucks the phone back into his tuxedo pocket.

“Okay. Let’s go over the plan one more time.”

I nod, as does the rest of our blended family, and we go over one last time on how we are going to get into the house and bring our family home.