“Hello Papa, couldn’t sleep either?”
“Heavy is the head and all the accoutrements,” Eduardo replied, “and you? I thought you would be cuddled up with your spider Ninja lady love.”
Eduardo chuckled at his own words and even more so at the image of Diadra taking down the hulk that was Tonda. “I like her. She is good for you. She gives you balance.”
“Papa, between you, me, and the coffee mug,” he said, passing his cup to his father that he’d taken out of the microwave. Yuñior poured another for himself, setting the timer and waiting for the 15 seconds. “I have nothing but the utmost respect for you as my father, and as my Czar. I would never do anything to lose the respect you have for me.”
“I know, but I still have to give you a reminder that as your Czar, if you get too far out of pocket, it would also be my responsibility to deal with you per cartel rules,” he said. “The punishment can be very severe in ways that can resonate through a family line.”
“I don’t understand,” Yuñior said.
“Your mother’s brother, Santino...he wasn’t sterilized by the satellite dishes as people often say. He was sterilized by your grandfather’s hand,” Eduardo explained. “Unlike my brother Andres who enjoyed seducing the girls in the villages, Santino...he didn’t ask, or flirt. He took.”
Yuñior scowled.
“Unfortunately, he helped himself to the Czar of Bolivia’s sister. To avoid a war, Santino had to be dealt with in the harshest of manners. Your Uncle never recovered mentally,” Eduardo said.
“Jesus!”
“You don’t even know the half of the duties which fall to the Czar regarding governance of the land, the products, and the people. I also understand how you feel about Irena. Your mother...God rest her troubled soul...kept me in a tizzy, until I stopped reacting. My mental health and the well-being of my sons were at stake,” he confessed.
“Then why in God’s name did you pick Irena? She is lovely to look at but after fifteen minutes in her company, I fantasize about ways to make the woman stop breathing,” he said. “I’m trying, but Papa, I just don’t like her.”
“I was wondering if you were sleeping with them both,” he asked.
“Oh no! If Irena learns the ways of love and what pleases her body, it will not be by my hand. Well, there was this one time by my hand in the pool, but I needed her to calm down. Having sex with her locks me in. I think it would be unfair to her and the man who does become her mate. I’m not going to saddle break a filly and pass her off worn out to another man,” Yuñior said.
Eduardo chuckled, “So you would wear out a filly.”
“Every damned night,” Yuñior replied, laughing. “A woman has to be strong to climb in my bed. This is not a teaching institution. I had to teach Melissa a great deal, and I was bored sexually with the woman, but I got to play hero.”
“Not to be crass or invasive of your privacy...,” Eduardo said, looking towards the stairs.
“Papa, she is different. Intuitive in a way that freaks me out sometimes. For example, the book and the drink when we left your office today,” Yuñior told him. “She also didn’t make eye contact with me because she sensed...I don’t know. Always. Each and every time what I need, she knows.”
“Are you working on making me a grandfather?” Eduardo asked, frowning at the idea.
“No. She said no. Diadra told me no. I wanted to push the matter and remove the protection she wears to prevent conception, but that wouldn’t be fair to her. If I haven’t done what I need to earn the lady’s love, then I shall work harder,” Yuñior said.
“Where did you meet her, and how did you end up with Didi?” Eduardo asked.
“Funny story, I met her in a nightclub. She was my choice, and Brody the Johnson chose her friend, the one with the crazy, added in hair,” Yuñior said.
“Stop! No! The one who was here trying to eat the fruit from the tiles on the wall? The one we sent back to America when you got shot?”
“The same one. Of course, I didn’t want Brody the Johnson to think his opinion was of no value to me, so I took them both to my bed,” Yuñior said, sipping the milk and winking at his father.
“Noooo! You!”
“Que? I was hungry, and it had been months since Melissa,” he said, laughing.
Eduardo leaned forward, gripping the sides of the cup. “Okay, tell me what happened next?”
Two hours passed as father and son sat at the table chatting about love, women, and the art of romance. Eyelids heavy, they climbed the stairs together, heading to their respective chambers. Diadra rolled into him as he slid into bed, snuggling close under the covers. He would earn her in a way that when the time came and he asked, the answer would be easy.
IN PARAGUAY, IRENA paced the floor, filled with rage, anger, and frustration. The snide manner in which Yuñior Delgado revealed the information to her only made her madder. He knew. The whole time, he knew that her father was pimping her out like a ten dollar whore so he could be legally related to those people.
“Women have no power in my world,” she said, looking about her bedroom.
All of the purses, clothing, and baubles she could wear at her neck and wrists adorned the room. She didn’t possess one single weapon, not even the type to wear in a garter. Irena knew no self-defense, yet the woman Yuñior plucked from the village would be trained as an assassin.
“I’m going to be trained to breed his children,” she said, stomping her foot.
None of it was fair. She was getting pretty sick and damned tired of being the pawn on a chessboard played by men.
Chapter Thirteen- Brawn
Tim was done. He completed the work a day early, including a new look for Gunther, well, as much as he could with the Scandinavian Beast. Tonda was outfitted with new clothing that made him appear to be a movie action star or at least a professional wrestler. The dark locks which hung every which way down to his shoulders were no more. He wore a clean cut, tapered at the sides, and the mustache and beard were a thing of the past. The dark clothing was balanced out with bold colors in reds, royal blues, and deep purples.
“You look good,” Yuñior told him.
“Good enough to get me a woman?”
“I would say so,” Yuñior said.
“Bueno! It’s settled. I shall return to the States with Didi and the Tim. When I return, I shall come back with my woman,” Tonda declared.
“Wait! Hold up! What?” Diadra, Tim, and Andres all said at the same time.
“I’m headed back with them...Tim, where do you live?”
“Columbus, Ohio, but I’m not understanding why you...never mind. I’ll be in the car,” Tim said, happy he’d completed his assignment without being shot, bitten, or fed to any large animal.
Eduardo wasn’t pleased with Tonda’s plan. He had known for years the man wanted to have a wife and family of his own. Now, it all was about time. They’d had the conversations several times before, and Eduardo was working diligently to find the right wife for him. The idea of Tonda on his own in the world wreaking havoc didn’t sit well with the Czar.
“Tonda, we have discussed this on several occasions. I shall make you a match,” Eduardo said, patting him on his shoulder.
“I don’t want your match, Jefe. I want a Didi. I want a spider monkey, ninja fighting, make me some breakfast and bring me books to read woman like Didi,” Tonda said.
“Why does everyone keep calling me Didi?” Diadra said, walking over to take a seat by Tonda. She reached for his massive paw, holding it in her hand. “I hear you Tonda, but I really think God broke the mold with me. New York is such a big place and it will be like searching for an aspirin in a pile of cocaine.”
“You could help me,” Tonda pleaded with sad, puppy dog eyes.
“I could at that, but your world is vast. Your world is soul consuming, and this life isn’t for everyone,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze. “I’m overwhelmed with your world and have had months, and still am processing. What you have here is
secretive and special. Finding the right woman in a visit will be difficult. Allow your Czar to see to your needs. You won’t be disappointed.”
“Yunior’s disappointed in what his Czar chose for him. He chose you. I want a DiDi,” Tonda said looking at her with sheepish eyes. “You’re not even afraid of me.”
“That’s because I’m too stupid to know when to run. My natural instinct is to fight even when I know I may not win. I’m going to fight for what I believe and what I want. That doesn’t mean that I’m going to always fight fair, but you’ll know that we went at it, even if I lose,” she said, giving Tonda a wide smile.
“You’re so nice. And pretty. You smell like flowers,” Tonda said, grinning. “Jefe, I want a Didi!”
“Tonda, cut it out! You’re embarrassing yourself,” Eduardo said, pulling at his arm.
“No, I’m not! I have served you faithfully for more than fifteen years as your personal guard. I want a family of my own. I want a real job where I get to do more each day than stand around watching over you. I am a Delgado! I am a first-born son! I should have my own,” Tonda exclaimed. “I’m claiming my birthright even if I am Hugo’s bastard.”
“Careful what you ask for Tonda,” Eduardo warned.
“I know what I’m asking for. It is mine! I want what is mine,” Tonda said, puffing up his chest. “Eduardo Delgado, my Czar, I claim my birthright.”
The room grew quiet. Ryanne inhaled. Zeta tried to grow small in the corner of the couch. Yuñior stepped forward.
“I bear witness to the request,” Yuñior proclaimed, sighing deeply with regret at his large cousin’s words.
Andres stepped forward next, “I second the witness to the request.”
Micah stepped forward last, “I bear the recording of the request.”
“So it is spoken, so it shall be done,” Eduardo said, dropping his head. For years, he had tried to protect Tonda and keep him out of the life. The request was made in front of ink wearing cartel members and the Holder of the Scribes, and there was no way it could be overlooked or claimed to have been misheard. “Pack your things to move out of the house.”
“Wait, what?” Tonda said.
“You can’t stay here, Tonda,” Eduardo told him in a lowered tone as if he were grounding the man and taking away his car keys. “This house is reserved for those members of my family who interact with me on a daily basis as the Czar. You have claimed your birthright and will be given a territory to manage. I have openings in El Encanto and La Carpa. Take your pick.”
“Maybe I spoke too fast,” Tonda said, rethinking his request.
“Yes, you did. Your request has been recorded and witnessed. I have no choice now,” Eduardo said.
“Jefe, por favor, not like this,” Tonda exclaimed, raising his voice to Eduardo.
Eduardo moved fast, so fast that Diadra had to catch herself to keep from falling off the chair. He had Tonda out of the seat and on the floor, and Eduardo’s knee was on his throat with two knives pressing into his chest. “You dare challenge me in the presence of my family, in the faces of my sons and not expect me to deal with you accordingly? I am going to give you the shittiest job with the lowest refuse in the country. You’re going to regret for the rest of your fucking life choosing this moment to flex on me.”
“Tio Eduardo, por favor, I meant no harm,” Tonda pleaded.
“You opened your stupid fucking mouth to claim the birthright of a first-born bastard son, which you know what that means. You knew what it meant,” Eduardo said, lifting his knee. “Get him out of my sight. Get him out of my fucking sight before I slash his goddamn throat!”
Yuñior, Andres, and Micah surrounded Tonda, who slowly got to his feet. Marianna stood close by in a defensive stance in case Tonda wanted to make a move, but he didn’t. His head hung low as he climbed the stairs to pack his things. Yuñior wouldn’t make eye contact with Diadra, who sat with her mouth opened in shock. She looked to Ryanne, who was also stunned by the last three minutes.
Diadra gathered her things and went to the vehicle with Tim. Her breathing was uneven. Her heart raced, and she was truly terrified. All she wanted was to go home.
“Gunther, we are ready,” she said, and the car took off and barreled down the dirt roads to the airfield. Yuñior’s plane was fueled and ready for take-off, quickly getting in the air once they were on board.
Diadra didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to Ed. She didn’t understand what Tonda asked for nor what it meant. However, what scared her more than anything was the nice man who grilled sausages and read bedtime stories to his daughters had shifted in a second from the wholesome father figure to a cutthroat killer.
She’d seen the same thing in Yuñior in the interaction with Tito before he was shot and more so in his anger after being shot as well. The plane taxied, and she was anxious to know which countries Eduardo had named where Tonda would be sent. Tim had a glass of champagne in his hand and watched her face.
“We can always serve them, Sweetie, but we can never be one of them. Don’t ever get it twisted,” Tim offered, taking a drink. “I don’t know what just happened, but the way you ran out of that house and jumped in the car said enough for me. Their world is dark and full of nasty rules we’ll never clearly know or comprehend.”
“I know Tim, but I love him,” she spoke softly.
“Famous last words of women hearing the prison bars clackety clack behind them. Famous last words of bitches turning tricks on the corner for twenty dollars a suck, and famous last words of junkies shooting up to make the pain go away from loving him,” Tim said. “Baby, love ain’t always enough to cover the truth of ugliness.”
Diadra didn’t have any last words for Yuñior. She had no last words for Tim when the plane landed in Columbus and off loaded the designer luggage. Her mouth formed a small thank you when the plane touched down in New York, and she called for a ride home. She turned off her phone.
“Walk away now, Diadra. Let Irena have him and that life,” she said, starting a tub of warm water to soak in once she secured the door to her quiet life in the two bedroom apartment on the third floor in Brooklyn.
YUÑIOR DIALED HER NUMBER several times and got no answer. He knew she’d made it back to New York as the flight manifest said they’d landed. He waited an hour after she landed and tried her again. The calls went straight to voice mail.
His heart sank.
“Hermano, she is drinking wine and taking a long bath; give her a day or so. We have work to do,” Andres said, pulling his brother by the arm.
Yuñior had trouble focusing. It had all happened so quickly. So many years Tonda had served as the guard for Eduardo Delgado and knew the man better than anyone. He also knew things about the Czar that could be used against Eduardo, which his father also factored into the equation. So careless. In one, stupid interaction, all of it was lost. What was Tonda thinking?
He argued inside of his head with himself.
Tonda was an idiot. He knew the rules. He knew the life. He knew the ways as he’d grown up under Eduardo’s watchful eye. Tonda had been protected and his secret guarded from the cartel. Men wanted Hugo’s head and the relief of Odessa Blakemore killing Eduardo’s older brother was much larger than many understood. Members of the cartel still craved their pound of flesh from Hugo. Tonda was the only one of Hugo’s bastard children Eduardo had acknowledged since Tonda’s mother had been brought to Las Tierras. He was born on Las Tierras and carefully groomed.
Eduardo had plans for his eldest nephew but had wanted another year, a discussion he’d had often with his personal guard. Tonda had been impetuous calling out his Czar in front of others. That alone would result in his banishment from the land.
“If his outburst has cost me my love, we have a problem,” Yuñior boasted.
“Yuñior, she’s smarter than that, but you have to admit, seeing Papa in action and knowing deep down that there is little difference between you two is enough to scare the shit out of anybody,” Andres offer
ed.
“She was scared.”
“Shit, so was I,” Andres said. “I still am. I’m scared for Tonda. He’s large in size but not mentally built for that world. Yuñior, please talk to Papa.”
“There is nothing we can do, Andres. We bore witness to the request,” Yuńior replied. “He has claimed his birthright.”
Micah was listening. “Technically, Tonda can forfeit his birthright, but it will not change Papa’s heart. If he forfeits the birthright, he is free to live as he wishes with no protection from the cartel, but he’s lost his right to live here for the time being,” Micah stated.
“Micah, is there anything in the cartel laws that would allow Tonda to stay?” Andres asked the Scribe who knew the laws of the cartel by heart.
“What Tonda would need would be a time clock to turn it back. I have recorded the words, so nothing can be done. Papa warned him to stop talking but he didn’t, so he must deal with it,” Micah replied. “However, as far as our records indicate, he is the only blood son of Hugo that is recorded on paper in the records of Las Tierras. If he survives the year in the field, then he can return and co-rule Las Tierras with Papa or take your job, Yuñior.”
Andres watched Yuñior’s face. “You know all of this stuff, don’t you? This is what you’ve been trying to explain to Tito!”
“Maybe I should have explained it better to Tonda,” Yuñior mused, feeling sick to his stomach. “It is imperative that you know it by heart as well Andres. I have been trained should anything happen to Papa or Abuelo to step in and take the reins. You should be prepared to do the same, should anything befall me. Please excuse me.”
He had to think.
He needed a plan.
If Diadra didn’t answer tomorrow, he needed a backup idea. He sought a ginger tea from the kitchen to ease his gastric discomfort. Eduardo walked into the kitchen as well. In less than twelve hours, everything had turned to shit.
“This will be your first test of what you have called love,” Eduardo said. “It is also a test for you. Being the Czar is not easy. The decisions are hard and sometimes heartbreaking.”
Becoming the Czar Page 15
