Page 26 of Cartel Cobra

The mortician.Papánever made it to a hospital.

“When can I see him?”

“In the morning,mamá.”

“I want to see him now,mijo.”

“You can’t,mamá. You need to wait until morning.”

I close my eyes and suck my lips in between my teeth. It’s that bad that Rafael needs the rest of the night to makepapápresentable.

“Enrique, I’m going.”

“Mamá—”

“You may beel jefenow, but I still run this family. You will not keep me from my husband.”

Ifpapáwas the head of this family,mamáwas the neck that turned it. They trusted each other implicitly, andmamáwaspapá’sclosest confidante. She likely knows far too much. It wasn’t likepapáwas ever a hands-off or an absentee parent, but he ruled the Cartel whilemamáruled the family. It made for the perfect partnership.

“Mamá, I need you to stay at the house with Matáis. I want all of you in the safe room until I know who we can trust.”

“I’ll take my chances.”

“Ma—”

“Luis, you won’t convince me either.”

“Mamá, please don’t leave us.”

I grasp her hand as she starts to stand. She stares at me before she sits again. She wraps her arms around me and rocks me as she strokes my hair.

“Kiko, how soon can you get men here you trust?”

“Hopefully, not long,mamá. But I have to be positive before I agree to you leaving the estate. Promise me you’ll all go to the safe room. Matáis?”

“Yeah.”

“Keep my sisters there. Don’t take your eyes off any of them.”

My brothers know what Catalina and I are capable of. They’ve seen us kill before.Papámade sure we knew how. We learned alongside Enrique and Luis. We never discuss it, but situations beyond our control have forced Catalina and me to defend ourselves. I carry a gun and a knife everywhere, just like she does. My brothers know Catalina and I would have the best chance at succeeding if we wanted to kill Humberto. They’re just unconvinced she and I would make it home.

“What will happen to him?”

“Mamá, I’m taking care of it.”

“Will he keep breathing?”

There’s a pause before Enrique answers.

“For as long as I decide it’s convenient.”

Much like I’m not used to the command in Matáis’s voice when he warned Catalina not to do anything, I’m unprepared for the frigid tone Enrique has. It’s one I’m certain many men hear just before they die. It’s one that proves he’s already used to running part of my family’s empire. No one can fake that level of authority in his voice. He’s earned that confidence that his word is law.

I keep glancing at the door, praying Esteban will come here. I don’t know what he’s doing or if he’ll even think of me. But I need him.

Chapter Eight

Esteban

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