Page 22 of Bone

Cruz stared at the other men, then walked carefully up the steps, feeling for his weapon at his side. Standing on the plane, all the men looked down the aisle at the old, weathered face of Chavez. He had four bodyguards, all who were sitting, respectfully staring at them.

“Miguel said the RP men were sending their finest,” he grinned. “To what do I owe this honor?”

“We’re here about what happened to Hector Vacarro,” said Gabe.

“Hector? Hector was murdered by that maniac, Perez, years ago,” said Chavez. “He was my cousin, my childhood playmate. I have missed him these last few years.”

“Yes, he was murdered while his daughter was away at school. Recently, one of our men became friends with her. Perez found her.” Chavez shifted in his seat, the look on his face telling the men that he expected to receive bad news. “She’s alive. Barely. He and his men raped her and beat her nearly to death. Had it not been for one of our own men, she’d be dead.”

“Where is she?” he asked.

“She’s safe and being well taken care of. But Perez has vowed to come for her again. We want to stop him. In fact,” said Torro, “we want to destroy him and his entire gang.”

Chavez leaned back, looking at the four young men. They were definitely RP men. You could tell by the assured stance, the bulky bodies, the keen intelligence in their eyes. More than that, you knew because it felt as though they had neon signs above their heads that said, ‘don’t fuck with me.’

“When my cousin was alive, we always worked well together. He came to me many years ago and said he was forming a partnership with Perez. I warned him that this would end badly. Perez, both father and son, were not right in the head. Hector, he wouldn’t listen to me. All he saw was an opportunity to expand his empire. Perez demanded Londyn marry his son when she turned eighteen. Hector, he agreed, but he thought the boy would move on before Londyn became of age. Obviously, he didn’t.”

“Señor Chavez, we want to bury them. All of them,” said HG. “My brother has fallen in love with Londyn. And if I’m not mistaken, she is in love with him as well. They deserve to have a happy life together, without fear of gangs like Perez’s.”

“She is in love,” smiled Chavez. “This is good. This is very good. Your brother, he is a good man? He is handsome like you?” HG chuckled as the others shook their heads.

“I am a triplet. My brothers and I are identical,” he smiled. “And, yes, my brother is the best of men. He is a retired Marine, just like me.”

“We were told that Perez owns the drug and trafficking market in and out of Mexico,” said Cruz. “Is that true?”

“I think others would disagree,” said Chavez. “He owns the borders in Texas and gets the drugs back and forth. His history with abusing women has prevented others from wanting to run women through him. He is sick. Not right in the head.” He tapped his head, looking at one of his own men. From his expression, he must have had a first-hand account of Perez and his lunacy.

“We’ve seen the results of what he does to women,” frowned Torro. Chavez pursed his lips, feeling the anger well in his chest.

“Will she live?” he asked.

“She will. We have a stellar medical team, and they have made sure that she’ll live,” said HG. “My brother will be a great husband to her and, hopefully, if God wills it, a father to their children.”

“Like all men who are bullies, Cisco is nothing without his men backing him. He will run if he thinks he cannot win. I am not alone in my hatred for him. There are other men, in the same occupation as myself, within Mexico who would rather see him gone. They have a healthy anxiety and respect for you, but they fear the insanity of Perez. If you will give me some time, I will have conversations with them about getting rid of our mutual enemy.”

“Do you think they will help us?” asked Gabe. “Knowing who we are, many of them may not want to help us.”

“People in my community are not your biggest fans,” smirked Chavez, “but, as I said, you are respected and feared. Two things that are very good for you. I will talk to them and ask a personal favor. I do not wish for Londyn to be placed in danger, but I do hope that you will tell her I think of her often, and she can always come to me should she need anything.”

“I’ll tell her, sir.” Chavez nodded, smiling at the men.

“If warriors such as yourselves could be found everywhere, I could rule the world.”

“No one wants to rule the world, Señor Chavez. It’s too much work,” smirked Cruz. Chavez chuckled as the men began to leave.

“Young man? Tell your brother I hope he treats Londyn well.”

“You have nothing to fear there. My brother will treat her like a queen, and if he doesn’t, I’ll personally kick his ass.”

Leaving the jet, they watched as it taxied out of the hangar and down the runway, taking off and heading south. Back in their own jet, they gave a nod to Chipper, who cleared them for take-off and began their taxi.

“That went better than I expected,” said Gabe.

“Yea, he might be getting soft in his old age,” said Torro. “He doesn’t seem to have lost anything mentally, though. He was sharp.”

“The good thing is, he hates Perez, and from what he said, so does the rest of Mexico. If we could get all of the cartel and gang heads to pounce on him at once, it would help us tremendously,” said Cruz.

“I don’t know,” smirked HG, “I’d kinda like the opportunity to take him on all by myself. Chavez was right. Bullies are cowards. Even Parker said when Perez realized it was down to just him, he ran. That’s the kind of man I want to give back what he gave to Londyn.”

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