Page 2 of Stolen Dove

“I’m with you.”

“No. You’re going to finish school and go off to college,” I ordered. He might refuse me as his brother, but not as jefe.

“Enough with that bullshit.”

“We’ll talk about that later. I’m on my way. I need someone to look at Fernando too. Someone we trust. Sabes?” I look at Fernando who rolls his eyes, thinking that he doesn’t need medical attention.

“Si.” I end the call and speed like the devil is on my shoulder. I know he’s not just on my shoulder but embedded in my soul, and the war is just getting started.

“I don’t need a doctor,” he insists, and yet I’m the one driving because he’s not sturdy enough.

“I need my best man one hundred, sabes?”

He grumbles but relents. Not like he had a fucking choice anyway.

The second I arrive at the hospital, Hector’s there with Marcelino, waiting for us.

“Park it,” I tell Marcelino.

He nods and looks at Fernando. “War’s brewing, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Bueno.”

He pulls away to the parking spots, and I hook my arm around my brother’s shoulder. “Lead me to her.”

“She’s still in surgery, but they say she’ll make it.”

“She better, or more heads will roll.”

“Is this the man we’re supposed to look at?” A petite nurse comes up to us, cocking her brow up at Fernando with more attitude than she should have for her size. Then again, the little ones are the most feisty.

“Si, por favor.”

She nods and says, “Follow me.” Fernando wags his brows, eyeing her round ass. All of a sudden, he wants to be seen.

“Have you called our father?” I ask Hector while watching Fernando until he disappears out of view. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about there. Fernando can handle himself, or at least I hope so.

“Yes, but he didn’t seem concerned.”

I nod, looking around the room for trouble before saying, “Fuck him. He ain’t gonna be shit soon.”

“About time.” The smirk on his face says it all. My brother has been waiting for me to return and take over—just like many of these guys.

Marcelino comes in and says, “So what’s the plan? What do you need from me?”

“Loyalty.”

“Without a doubt.”

“Even if it means cleaning house?”

“Whatever it takes to keep from ending up like Benito.” We shake hands.

Hector turns his attention to the hallway, gaining my attention as well to approaching medical staff. “How is she?” he asks.

“Señor Serrano, your mother is doing fine. She’s in recovery at the moment, but she’ll be able to have visitors in an hour.”