Chapter 42: Chapter 42

“Guns down,” Jalen ordered his men immediately, and I let out the breath I’d been holding.

He was still the Jalen I knew. He’d never hurt me.

I looked at Stefano and gestured to his men so he could give the same order.

Our gazes clashed, and from the way his jaw clenched, I could tell he wasn’t happy with me interfering. After a tense moment of neither of us saying anything, he waved his hand to signal his men to retreat.

All guns were lowered.

Jalen pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. I could see the disapproval in his face as he looked at me. “You disappear on me for months and come back with Roscottos standing behind you? Didn’t I tell you not to get involved?”

“You’re one to talk,” I refuted. “You told me you were a neutral party, and here I find out you’re involved with the Perez family. What about Henry? He’s involved with Perez too, right? Is he really missing, or did you guys do something to my aunt and cover it up?”

“What are you talking about?” he shouted angrily. “Perez had nothing to do with your aunt’s disappearance! We’re still looking for her.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” I snapped, my bottled-up anger simmering to the surface. I hated being in the dark. I was his friend!

“What does it matter who I’m affiliated with?” Jalen continued. “It won’t bring them back.”

“But I should’ve known!”

He snapped. “Hell, I can’t trust your judgment! Look at who you’re standing next to. Did it ever occur to you that they might be the reason behind your aunt’s disappearance?”

I scoffed. “Now you’re just mak—”

“No, think about it. Your aunt was an extension of my brother, who’s a part of the Perez family. The Roscottos don’t mind weeding us out. You really think your aunt would’ve been spared?”

That stumped me, and my protest quickly died on my tongue.

I…I couldn’t refute that. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility, and I hated that it awoke a bit of my doubt.

Stefano stepped up and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me into his side.

He stared at Jalen coldly. “We’re done with the pleasantries. Like I said, I have questions.”

Jalen’s eyes lingered on Stefano’s arm around me, and his gaze grew complicated.

He inhaled sharply and murmured in Spanish. “This is trouble.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What is?”

He disregarded me and looked at Stefano, a cold glint in his eyes. “Like I said. I’m not obligated to answer your questions.”

Stefano asked anyway. “Are you the one causing trouble for my men?”

Jalen snorted. “I’m not that bold.”

“Don’t bullshit me. You’re targeting my family. You and those bastard Perez motherfuckers.”

Jalen whistled. “That’s a harsh accusation to make. I’m just a simple bartender. That information is above my pay grade.”

Andrei’s gun clicked as he turned the safety off, but he didn’t raise the gun. It was meant as a warning, and in the dead silence of the room, it was very loud.

Male testosterone permeated the air as the tension rose even higher.

“I’m not a patient man,” Stefano admitted as he stepped forward and shoved me slightly behind him. “I don’t mind renovating this place for you. I heard bullet holes make good decorations. What do you say?”

I stiffened and gripped his arm, but he ignored me.

Jalen narrowed his eyes. “Are you threatening me?”

“I’m simply giving you options. You’re the one who decides.” Stefano’s voice was condescending as he looked across the bar top.

Jalen scoffed. “You Roscotto men are all the same. Give you a little power, and you think you’re the king of the fucking world.”

Stefano smirked. “If the crown fits…”

Jalen’s phone rang, and we watched as he checked the caller ID. His demeanor quickly changed, and there was a bit of apprehension as he answered. “Sir.”

He glanced at me and hesitated before admitting. “It was my negligence. I apologize.”

I furrowed my brow as Stefano grabbed my arm and tugged me behind him further.

Jalen then looked at Stefano and offered the phone. “He wants to speak to you.”

Stefano didn’t make a move to grab the phone. “Put it on speaker.”

He didn’t once take his hand off me, ready to spring into action if need be.

“Stefano Roscotto,” a rich, baritone voice sounded.

“And you are?”

The man chuckled. “You might not remember me since you were a little boy the last time I saw you, but your father should. My name’s Gabel Perez. I was a close friend of the Roscotto family at one point in time.”

Stefano frowned and glanced at Andrei, who immediately took out his phone and started investigating.

“You’re right; I don’t remember you,” Stefano continued. “But I know you’re the one who’s been terrorizing my family.”

“I wouldn’t say terrorize. It’s more of a taking back with interest.”

“What’s the reason?”

“Ask your father. Ask him why your reapers aren’t as strong as they used to be.”

Stefano narrowed his eyes, clearly agitated by Gabel Perez’s responses. “I’m not interested in playing games. Show your face, and we’ll settle the score.”

The man sighed. “Youth these days are always so quick to jump into a fight. Que Dios nos cuide a todos. I’ll show my face when it’s time. Think of this call as an introduction of sorts.”

“Why do you need an introduction?”

He chuckled. “So you know the name of the man who’s going to kill your father.”

Stefano bristled at that. “If you don’t show your face, you might find your bar riddled with holes the next time you visit.”

“You’re not going to do anything to my bar.”

Stefano raised an eyebrow. “Are you confident?”

“I am. After all, that bomb planted at your warehouse in St. Louise might end up harming quite a few people.”

We all froze.

A bomb?

Gabel continued. “It’s time for you to get going, boy. Send your father my regards.”

The line went dead.

Stefano’s jaw clenched as he spoke through gritted teeth. “It’s been a while since I’ve been played like this. Let’s go.”

Jalen smirked. “What can I say? There’s a new player in town.”

Stefano nodded. “I’ll be seeing you again.”

“Dead or alive, right?”

“Dead or alive.”

The promise of both men left me on edge, and I struggled as Stefano grabbed my arm to tug me away. I wanted to stop to ask Jalen more questions.

“That’s enough,” Stefano muttered loud enough for me to hear, halting my protest.

He was angry. I could feel it.

“Wait!” Jalen called out.

We turned back to look at him.

The smirk on his face widened. “You know what you call a group of crows, right?”

Stefano didn’t respond.

“A murder. The Perez family is out for blood. Roscotto blood. And we won’t stop until we get it.”

My frown deepened.

Stefano smiled wryly. “Blood is easy to take. An empire? Not so much. Let’s see how far this game takes us.”

He started leading us away.

I looked back at Jalen one last time. Our eyes met, and I watched his soften.

He addressed me this time. “We’ll talk soon.”

It sounded more like a surety than an inquiry, as if he knew we’d get in touch.

Stefano hastened his step and led us out of the bar. When we got into the car, he quickly instructed Andrei and Jackson to check on the warehouse before we drove off.

The car ride was filled with silence. The air was stifling. Stefano seemed to be brooding, yet I had nothing to say. That hadn’t panned out like I’d thought it would. Too many things were happening at once.

“Did you fuck him?”

Stefano’s question snapped me out of my reverie. “What?” I asked in surprise.

He took a deep breath and repeated his question. “Did you fuck him? You seemed to be well acquainted with the tattoos on his body.”

I stiffened. My tongue was tied, and I was at a loss for words.

Stefano took my silence as confirmation. “So, you did.”

I spluttered. “We dated on and off throughout high school. That’s about it.”

“I told you to stay in the car.”

“I had a right to be there. Jalen is like family to me.” Did he think I could just abandon all emotional ties with someone just like that?

“You don’t fuck family,” he snapped, startling me.

I narrowed my eyes, getting angry at the way he was speaking to me.

“That was in the past! He’s family now. I understand that I have an obligation to the Roscotto family, and I would never think to abandon it, but Jalen is only guilty by association. That can be changed.”

Stefano rolled his eyes, as if my words were ridiculous. “Does it look like he wants to change affiliation? He’s with Perez. He’s a threat.”

“To you. Not to me.”

“Nothing you say will convince me to spare his life. He will die.”

“Well, it won’t be by my hands, and I won’t idly sit by and watch it happen.”

He turned to look at me, and I stared at him, just as headstrong as him.

He spoke slowly. “Do you understand that your loyalty is wavering right now?”

I exploded. “Fuck my loyalty! I just finished the fucking game on loyalty and passed with flying colors! I have a right to want to protect my family, and he’s a part of it. Am I not allowed to question you, is that it?

“What about what Jalen said? Have you ever looked at your own family when investigating my aunt’s disappearance?”

Stefano’s eyes narrowed. “Catalina, do not go down that road.”

“Answer my question,” I pressed. “Have you?”

“I’m done with this discussion.”

“Why? Why won’t you answer?”

“I said I’m done.”

“Stefa—”

“Enough!” he shouted, raising his voice at me for the first time.

The words died on my tongue. I crossed my arms and looked out the window, trying to hide the hurt I felt.

Stefano sighed but said nothing else.

The rest of the car ride was spent in tense silence, and when we got to the mansion, I slammed the door and walked away.

“Don’t wait up tonight.” Stefano rolled down the window to inform me.

I said nothing.

I listened to the sound of the car as it drove off before turning back to approach the security guards at the gate.

“Call a driver. I need a ride somewhere.”