Page 40 of Snow Good to Lose
I changed the bandages and per Carlos’ instructions, shaved my head and my face. With the bruises around my eyes, I looked tough.
I frowned and turned from the mirror. I pulled on a black hoodie and cargo pants. I checked my weapons and placed Amari’s gun in my lower back. I put extra ammo in my pockets. Locked and loaded, it felt good.
I repacked our bags.
I made her give up so much, but in these two bags were our entire life. I unzipped her bag and pulled out her purse. A small box with a little red tag attached fell out.
I bent down to retrieve it.
To:Caden
With all my heart!
Mari
I opened the box and found a cobalt ring. It was a solid band. I slid it on my finger. It fit. Was she tired of waiting on me and going to propose? I chuckled. My laughter turned into tears. I blinked them away and rubbed my face. I had no time for emotion.
I grabbed my stuff and joined Carlos. He and his men were going over logistics. Two cars and four vans idled in the driveway, waiting for the convoy to depart. Carlos and I rode in the lead Mercedes, driven by Miguel. His second in command, Gusmaro, sat in the front passenger seat.
As we drove to the airstrip, Carlos filled me in on the plan.
Sinezilio would not dare insult the Rodriguez cartel by not inviting him to the wedding. The small ceremony was for close friends and family. Collateral damage would be minimal.
The whole thing gave me a sick feeling.
“Isn’t Sinezilio part of your little group of gangsters?” I asked.
“The consortium wants Sinezilio gone.” Carlos stared out the window. “They have always been bad for business.”
“So you have their blessings?”
“Si.If it works out the way I foresee, you and your lovely would be well out of the line of fire.” Carlos’ eyes grew wide. “I have another task for you.” He smirked. He was a straight-up sadist. He was looking forward to this shit.
An hour later we were on Carlos’ plane to Mexico.
“You’ve been planning this for how long?” I asked.
“Since you contacted me last year. I mean, even I, in my infinite wisdom, could not foresee it working out so quickly and outside of the states.” Carlos was giddy. He stood in the aisle of his private GulfStream jet. He customized the plane with plush recliner seats, slutty dressed flight attendants, and a private compartment with a bed in the back.
“The plan sounds great except for one thing.”I rubbed my new bald head.
“What’s that?” He took a drag of his beer. “They are going to be looking for me, how are you going to sneak me in?”
“Why would they be looking for you?” He squeezed my shoulder. “You, my friend, are already dead.”
“But—”
“Caden, dude.” He mimicked a surfer from Los Angeles perfectly. “You're messin' with my buzz.”
“Right, party first, then war.” I nodded and waved him away.
He followed the flight attendant. I turned in the aisle to Gusmaro. He was Carlos’ conscious. From what I learned about my old friend today, he needed it. It appeared the family had tasked him with the job of Carlos’ babysitter for life. Poor man.
“Your guy on the inside has eyes on Amari?” I needed confirmation she was okay.
“Si.”He nodded. “She’s in a bedroom on the back of the property.”
I nodded.
“My priority is her. Getting her out safe. I’m not in this war with you.” I pointed. He nodded.
Carlos appeared with the woman half-dressed, draped across his back.
“Yes,si, yes, I get it. You get your lady and complete my little errand.” He nodded. “But you won’t mind taking out a few of those, how you say, ‘motherfuckers’ on your way out.”
He winked and proceeded back to the bedroom in the back of the plane.
I reclined back and closed my eyes.
Yeah, I don’t think I have a problem with that.
