Chapter 6 #2
I never respected her after that day because we learned through their arguing that she was having an affair with his brother and was pregnant by the bastard. That knowledge changed my father and he became a heartless bastard who took his frustrations out on his kids.
And what did she do? She left and ran off to be with my uncle until my father killed him.
That alone changed the dynamic of our family and Arlando, Amelia, and I were forced to suffer through it.
Eventually Amelia begged to go to boarding school and our father allowed it.
It felt like every woman in our lives just dipped out without thinking about how it would affect the rest of us.
Though I honestly couldn’t blame her. If it were allowed, we would’ve left too, but he wasn’t having that.
Footsteps took me out of my reverie. They were approaching the bar and the lightness had me anticipating my bronzed beauty only to be disappointed by a woman who couldn’t even hold a candle to Brandy. She wouldn’t be out right now anyway after what just happened. What is wrong with me?
I grabbed my cell and called my brother. He was the only one who could help me make sense of things. He picked up on the first ring and I was grateful.
“Handled?” he asked as soon as the line opened.
“Of course,” I responded. There was no need to ask such a silly question but I entertained it anyway.
“Then why do you sound like that? You’re usually elated.”
“I had to do it in front of Brandy, man.” I sighed.
I’d spoken with my brother about Brandy the very day I met her and even talked to him about our day before I killed Ernesto and Paulo. I never spoke about any woman.
“Oh shit.”
“Yeah man.”
“How’d she react?”
“I mean I was coming to her defense, but she was creeped out for sure. I don’t want to scare the woman, just protect her.”
“Okay and did you tell her that?”
“I didn’t have to. She said it for me.”
“So why you sound like that? Like she dumped you and your nuts in the fucking ocean?”
I laughed and shook my head. My bro was a fool.
“I don’t want every time I’m around her to be like that. Apart from our day of luxury, every time I’ve seen her, I was taking care of one of the bastards who stole from us. I don’t want her thinking I’m this unhinged ass man who can’t keep his temper together.”
“But you are, so what the fuck are you saying?”
“Shut your ass up.” I laughed. “I’ve been trying to change all that. Whole reason for my so-called vacation.”
“How is it out there? You vacationing?”
“What you think?”
“Aight aight. I’ll stop fucking with you.” That chuckle of his let me know he was just getting started so I quickly changed the subject.
“Are you back home?” I asked, avoiding his words.
“Yeah, just got back this morning. Feels good.”
“I’m coming to visit you.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Says the man who…”
“I know. I know. But I’m coming. Our affairs are handled and this vacation has turned out to not be one at all, just more work. I need to be around my family and that’s you.”
“Shit, I’m with it. I was going to kick back for a few days anyway until I headed back to Antigua.”
“Sounds good then. I’ll book a flight and see you soon.”
“Are you becoming domesticated on me, brother?”
“Fuck you, Arlando.”
I laughed then disconnected the call. I sat there for a second and contemplated his words. Shaking my head, I tossed them away and pulled up my sister’s number. It only took two rings for her to pick up, which was unusual for her since she never answered my calls.
“Ciao, fratello,” she said.
“Ciao, sorella. Como stai?”
“I’m good, Armond. How are you?”
“Well. Are you still planning to travel to Los Angeles in the next couple of days?”
“Yes. I have a photoshoot there then I’m flying back home. Why?”
I sighed. “I need the jet. I’m leaving Puerto Rico sooner than expected. How long will you be in Los Angeles? Can the pilot get to me and back to you in time?”
“Armond? Are you serious right now? That’s twelve hours back and forth.”
“Okay and? You act like we don’t have other pilots who can make the flight.”
“Why do you have to be such a…”
“Such a what? Are you not using the jet I pay for? Did I not pay for you to go to school to do those very photoshoots you’re talking about? Don’t start shit with me when all I do is take care of you, Amelia.”
“Fine. Fine. I can stay an extra day. I had plans once I got back home.”
“I never said you had to cancel them. I asked how long you’d be in Los Angeles.”
“Ugh.”
“Fine. You can take a regular ass flight home. I’m canceling your plans.”
I disconnected the call before she could say anything else. The one thing I didn’t tolerate was a snappy attitude followed by being fucking ungrateful. I realized I’d completely spoiled my little sister and that shit ended now.
I sent a text to our pilot, Donnie, and let him know I’d be needing his services and to cancel Amelia’s return flight to Italy.
Not even a couple of minutes went by before he responded with a thumbs up.
I’d book her a first-class flight just to not hear her bitch and moan but that was as far as I was going with that.
My phone buzzed in my hand and I instantly grew irritated. My brother never called me back, so I knew something else was wrong. It seemed to never end with these two.
“What?” I answered.
He sighed and I knew it was some bullshit.
“One got away. Caught him on CCTV a few blocks out from the pickup spot. I guess he was the eyes and ears, I’m not sure.”
“So he’s still on the island?”
“No. He’s gone. Went right to the airport and got out of dodge. At least that’s how they made it look. Dimitri just got back to me on it.”
“So when I said everything was handled and you didn’t correct me…”
“A slip up on my end. It won’t happen again.”
“Hmph.”
I disconnected the call. I didn’t need to hear anything else. I guess I had reason to head to the airport after all. I didn’t have much time, but I knew I’d be able to work things out and get back in time to entertain my girl. Shit, that’s if she let me.