Chapter Six
“Yeah?” Storm growled. “They think they are all of that eh?”
“Si.” Henri nodded. “They also believe that they are in charge here. They don’t think Orlando would dare to just take their money and run.
But I do not think Orlando knows just how far the Gondo’s are willing to go to hunt him down.
I remember one man who tried that, his name was Cip Ramos and it took them three months to find him.
He lived the good life in the Bahamas while thinking they were just dummies licking their wounds in the backwaters of Mexico. ”
Leon raised his brow at him and asked, “And just what did the Gondo’s do to him when they finally caught him?”
Henri stared at him for a long moment then he replied with no emotion in his voice at all, “They captured him and took him home to Mexico and tied him to the back of their car. They dragged him behind it through the village. They live a good three miles from the village. The victim, Cip, tried hard to stay on his feet, he really did.” He shrugged.
“He couldn’t of course but he did try. When they got him to the square they tied his limbs to four different vehicles and they all drove off at the same time.
They tore him into five separate pieces then left him to bleed to death in the hottest hours of the day.
This was something from what they call medieval times.
And it was evil. I swear their souls are black.
It was horrible to watch but the whole village was ordered to attend.
They wanted to show what would happen to you if you ever crossed the Gondos.
The village was very quiet for a long time after and many of the people had nightmares for months. "
Leon shook his head. He looked at Bane and finally to John.
“We have to find these men before Orlando has the chance to get his hands on their money. I do want a war in the streets. There are too many innocents and if anyone has to die I’d rather it was Orlando than an innocent person on the street. ”
Bane nodded, then he looked up at John. “Where can we find this Orlando guy? I don’t have my bloodhound here at the moment.”
Orrin smirked at Bane. “Bloodhound...James is gonna love that name.”
John nodded, then looked at his PC. “Already got it. He wrote the address down and handed the paper over to Bane. “This is where he usually stays when he’s here. I’m sure by now the Gondo men know the rest of them are dead.
So beware because right now they are dangerous men, looking for answers as to why the rest of them are gone. ”
Bane gave him a nod. “You don’t have to worry about us. You should maybe say a prayer for Orlando though. If you think he’s worth the effort that is. Personally? I don’t think he’s worth it.” He then turned and left the security room.
Orrin didn’t say a word, instead he walked out behind his brother.
Henri stared at the door. “Is that man one of yours?”
Leon shook his head. “That man wouldn’t be a soldier for me or anyone for that matter. He helps to run a team that...” Leon paused, then tried to explain, “...helps the innocent and fights evil.”
Henri batted his eyes at him. “But he seems to be...How you say... somewhat of a Diablo himself.”
“Exactly, Henri,” John spoke up. “He defeats darkness with some of his own. We can only hope he brings Orlando back alive.”
Leon just stood there while shaking his head. Then he silently raised his hand and made the sign of the cross over himself. Bane could only be pushed too far.
Lucinda sat at the table and sipped her coffee quietly when the group started to make plans. Summarizing the possible strategies for the upcoming showdown between the last three men of the Gondo Cartel and the completion of the war here in Boston.
Leon sat at one end of the table.
Frost, Storm, Tornado, Nick, John and everyone there were throwing out ideas for how they would or could beat them at their own games. Everyone seemed to agree that the Gondo men would come back to Leon’s front door and try again but no one knew when.
Lucinda shook her head at them as she listened.
Leon turned his head to look at her then he asked, “You don’t seem to agree? What do you know that we do not?”
Lucinda glanced at her grandfather and she saw him nod.
Henri was highly aware of her always watching the Gondo men and their deals.
Then she looked at Leon and carefully put her coffee cup down on the table.
She dropped her hands into her lap and swallowed hard before she spoke, “Senor Vincinti, I have been watching that family for most of my life. I have seen them at their worst and I have seen them, well I can’t say I have ever seen them at their best because they have never acted like real people.
All they know is pain and retribution for supposed wrongs.
Pinto threw his sons into a pit when they were just children.
He gave them knives and told them that if they wanted to survive they would have to prove they could fight.
Ortega and Silva were better with the blades than Chanto was and they’ve all carried scars since then.
But Senor, they also do not care about anything and that way of life has been pounded into their very souls for so long that they do not care about anyone other than themselves.
Not even about each other, just themselves and they are very selfish human beings.
Their fathers had also taught them to uphold the family name and to make people fear it in order to give them what they are due.
As the heads of the family, Paulo, Pinto and Carlos have proven that they run things.
For years, they have lived under their fathers and now, their fathers are dead.
Ortega is the oldest one of the three remaining and I’m not sure if he’s ready to lead the others or just push his way into the leading role here.
All three of them are dangerous and right now they are all unstable enough to kill each other to become the one to lead. ”
Henri cleared his throat and added, “She is right, senor. Ortega should be first in line but Silva thinks he’s the strongest of them all and he might start a fight just to prove himself.”
Leon sat there for a moment then asked, “And Jose?”
Lucinda shook her head. “Jose is sneaky and underhanded. He’s the kind of man that will slit your throat while you are sleeping just because you dared to close your eyes.
But his cousins aren’t the type to let him.
They know him better than he knows himself.
So they will sleep with one eye open and a knife in their hands. ”
Henri sat back in his chair and nodded. “And you will never convince them of Orlando intentions to take the money and run. Those boys will never believe you until it happens for real. They are stubborn enough from growing up in that familia that they think no one will ever cross them.”
“Why didn’t you say something before now about this?” Leon asked quietly.
“I have been listening to you all discuss war and I am not an expert at that,” Lucinda replied just as quietly. “But you are all forgetting something here.”
“And what is that?” John crossed his arms over his chest as he glared at her.
“You are all men that think and plot clearly but Ortgea, Silva and Jose are not. They live and breathe for the moment. They only want what they want in that moment. They have never had to think about their future because that’s all the time their father’s gave them.
Pinto and Carlos were the same so that’s what they taught their sons.
With no one to guide them they have no direction.
To trap them you need to remember that.”
The whole room went silent.