I came downstairs fully dressed the next morning and noticed Martha only having my plate available for breakfast and coffee. She smiled and placed it in the usual spot of the island.
“Where’s Sofia?”
“She’s at the photoshoot, sir.”
“I told her that was out of the question.”
“I’m sorry, sir. She told me to pack the kids some food, and she’ll have them eat at the location.”
“Was Hugo with her?”
Martha nodded.
“I’m not hungry.” I left the kitchen, stalked to my office in the back of the house, and slammed the door. I dialed Sofia’s number.
“You’ve reached Sofia. I can’t come to the phone right now. Leave a message.”
“Sofia, call me back.” I hung up and dialed again.
“You’ve reached Sofia, I can’t come to the phone right now. Leave a message.”
She knew I didn’t want my children paraded around the world and shown off. A man of my position needed to keep his family hidden, or at least my children. The sex we’d had last night I’d hoped would be a wakeup call to her, but something more was brewing between us that I didn’t like.
Ring! Ring!
I answered the call.
“Sofia!”
“Joaquin, it’s your father.”
I sighed, not in the right frame of mind to talk with him about anything. I was slammed with thoughts of why Sofia had defied my orders and went on with the photoshoot.
“I’m here.”
“How is your sister doing? We haven't heard from her lately.”
“She’s fine.” I sat in my chair and clicked on the computer.
“I’m hearing differently.”
“Then why are you calling me?”
“You seem distracted.”
“I'm focused.”
“Really? Because from what I see, you're losing a grip on everything.”
“Define losing my grip.” I clenched my teeth.
“I still have contacts in New York. I hear things.”
“Are you trying to call to talk about your daughter or my business?”
“Unlike you, I have control over everything that belongs to me.”
“I have control!” I shouted.
“For now. If your sister is getting drunk and showing up in these photos or on the internet, that’s a problem for the family,” he chastised.
I rubbed a hand down my forehead.
“I had a talk with her.”
“Either you get a handle on things, or she comes back to Italy.”
“She knows.”
“And you’ll lose my connection to guns if this continues.”
“I can handle my own business.”
“You're being watched.”
“What do you know about Lusting?” I probed.
“Nothing.”
“Gael found their guns being dropped in our area.”
“A new dealer.”
“Probably.”
“You need to handle it.”
“I will.”
“Let me look into them first.”
“A French design and wording.”
“I’ll send over what I find out.”
“Thank you.”
“And Joaquin.”
“Yes.”
“Understand your position.”
I listened to the dial tone and held the phone out, then glanced at the family photo of Sofia and the kids. I’d been patient with her ever since the night of the kidnapping and wanted to keep her less caught up in my world, but she was taking her career to higher places and not thinking of the backfire it could have on our family or my business. I checked my business email and saw a few clients wanting me to take some jobs next week on short notice. I needed to think it over before agreeing even though the payment was one million. Anytime I spent away from my children out of the state was precious, minutes I couldn't get back or put a monetary value on. After I closed the email, I turned the computer off and walked to the wall photo of Sofia and pulled it open to reveal my safe. I grabbed a stack of money and a gun and locked it back up.
“Mr. Fuertes, do you need anything specific for dinner tonight?” Martha questioned.
“No, Martha. As a matter of fact, take the night off.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“What should I say when Mrs. Fuertes calls?”
I stood at the open front door.
“Tell her you’ve confirmed things with me.” I winked, shut the door behind me, placed my shades on, and walked to the awaiting limo.
“Anywhere specific, sir?” my driver asked.
“I need to go to Antonio’s.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Fuertes.”
He shut the door, and I buckled my seatbelt and dialed Sofia’s number again.
“You’ve reached Sofia. I can’t come to the phone right now. Leave a message.”
Amherst pulled out of the driveway, and I held the cell up to stare at the third missed call from Sofia. This was only fueling the fire, making me want to send my men to bring her back home and lock her away with my children.
Buzz! Buzz!
Gael: Alessandra showed up for class.
Me: Good. I should be at Antonio’s soon.
Gael: No updates on the Lusting situation.
Me: Meet me anyway.
Gael: Let me wrap up here.
After I sent a text back to him and said okay, Sofia finally replied back to my missed calls.
Sofia: I’m filming. What’s going on?
Me: Where are my kids?
Sofia: They’re fine, Joaquin. I wouldn’t put my children in harm's way.
Me: We talked about this photoshoot not being a good idea.
Sofia: No, you demanded I don’t do it.
The car stopped at a light. I watched the traffic ease through to the sounds of pissed-off people.
Me: We’ll discuss this later tonight.
Sofia: Sex won’t solve this issue.
Me: Alessandra held me up last night.
Sofia: That's not the only problem we're dealing with.
Me: I have a meeting I need to attend. I will talk to you later.
Sofia: Fine.
Me: Don’t ignore my calls again.
Sofia: I was filming, and my phone was in my purse.
Me: I’ve stated what my concerns are.
Sofia: I’m being called to set.
The car arrived at Antonio’s, and I closed out of the message thread, pushed the door open, and stepped out, looking at the surrounding areas. I went around the limo and shook hands with the guard on duty, and he opened the door for me. Looking around the closed restaurant, I noticed Carlo and Antonio sitting together at the back table near the window.
“Joaquin, how are you?” Carlo questioned.
I shook hands with Antonio, then Carlo, and grabbed the chair from the next table.
“I woke up with a lot on my mind.”
Antonio picked up his glass of water and glanced at Carlo.
“Tell us,” Carlo suggested.
“Do you know anything about Lusting?” I asked.
“Only thing I’ve heard about them was a few years ago. A gang out of France,” Antonio recalled and slid his cup of water away.
“Why are you bringing this up?” Carlo asked.
“I might have a friend uninvited,” I spoke in code.
“This Lusting,” he quipped.
“Yes.”
“We don’t like visitors invited to the table.” Antonio leaned forward clasped his hands together.
“Do we need to assist?”
“No, I’ve made a good reputation since I’ve been in America and New York City specifically. People know where I am.”
“Are you still taking jobs?”
“Occasionally.”
“How is married life?”
“Work.” I smirked, and they chuckled at my statement.
“Give Sofia and the kids our best.”
“Janice is constantly talking about a new trailer she saw Sofia in.”
“Yeah, she’s becoming a bigger star than before.”
“I understand about having high profile women,” Antonio said.
“Between her and my sister, my life is busy.”
“So the ghost isn’t ready for retirement?” Carlo pointed at the gun behind my jacket.
“He’s always ready for action.”
“Keep us updated, and we’ll do our own checking on Lusting.” Antonio looked at Carlo, and he nodded.
“What else do you need from us?” Carlo asked. Gael arrived, extended his hand to them, and sat next to me.
“Antonio, Carlo,” Gael said, picking up the glass of water.
“I’m thinking of exploring new territory in Texas.”
Gael took out his phone.
“I went out there a few months ago, after Joaquin talked about how the borders are easily available to get guns in and out,” Gael mentioned.
“You able to handle that type of increase?” On a napkin, Antonio scribbled.
“Depending on what the distribution is like, it could be lucrative,” Gael replied.
“Keep me updated and contact this person to do research on the prospect.” Antonio handed the napkin to me.
“Ezequiel Mota.”
“Carlo and I have done business with him before. He’s fair.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
“Don’t be a stranger. Even if your services aren’t utilized by us, the girls want to get together,” Carlo said, reaching out for a shake. I stood to leave.
“I’m always available for the De Luca Family.”
“Again, keep us updated.” Anthony tipped his glass into the air.
“Salute.”
Upon leaving Antonio's, Gael and I walked to the car, and Amherst held the door open.
“Where to now?”
“Look into Ezequiel and Lusting. I want our reach to cover more shipment areas in case we need to expand beyond the loading docks for incoming deals.”
“Expand that far? What if your father doesn’t like your choice of business dealings?”
“He’s not in charge.”
“As long as you know,” Gael replied.
“I need another favor.”
“What is it?”
“I want to know everything about Sofia's filming.”
“Joaquin, we've been through this before. She has her career.”
“I know what she has. Her schedule is getting busier, and that’s leaving very little time.”
“I like Sofia for you, but you’ll cause more problems with this request.”
“Make the arrangements and see about a flight to Texas.”
I climbed in and shut the door, waiting as the car pulled into traffic. The plan was to get back home early after a few more stops and spend time with my family for the rest of the day. Sofia would come home and expect me to be upset and angry, but my plan was to make sure the kids and her were welcomed with a nice dinner. Then we could spend alone time together once the kids went to bed.