Michael's Story

Chapter 8

Four days until Gerardo's birthday

Michael welcomed Rico into his condo and the two of them made their way to the living room. Michael settled into his usual spot on the couch, propping his feet up on the glass coffee table. As Michael sat on the sofa, Rico sat in the recliner.

"What did you find?" Michael asked.

"A raid, a warrant, you don't want to work with these fucking idiots. They're here because they didn't have shit back in Madrid. So I wouldn't trust them. Even if they ain't snakes, they drag your ass down with them," Rico said.

"Walking liabilities," Michael said.

"And if you fuck with these people," Rico scoffs, "I'm talking fed time for you, your kids, your grandkids, and their kids. Pounds of cocaine, a farm, cars, money—they got raided for all that shit. I heard Gerardo was already here when they got bust down. Alejo got arrested, posted bail, and came here." Rico sat back in the chair.

"I knew something felt weird about this. What's up with Pablo?"

"Gone. I stopped by his house, but nothing was there. Took everything." Rico's demeanor changed. "What do you want me to do about him? Because he's starting to piss me off," Rico retorted.

Michael gave a disbelieving shake of his head and a deep belly laugh. He covered his mouth with his hand as he deliberated what to say. Since Michael and Antonio had known Rico for so long, he had become like a member of their family.

When Rico was young, he lost both his parents. He had to fend for himself for a good chunk of his childhood before he made a friend in Antonio. From then on, he made it clear to the Martinezs' that he would do anything for them and always considered them his family.

Nevertheless, Rico showed devotion by providing the deadliest security he knew. Michael needed to watch his words around Rico because one wrong statement could set Rico off, and Pablo wouldn't make it to tell his side of the story.

"Just find him; I want to know what's going on," Michael said to him.

"I could tell you what's going on. You don't need Pablo to say it," Rico said.

"I know, but I'm trying to keep the heat off us. We don't need more bodies right now. That's the last resort." Michael told him.

"Well, once we get to the last resort, make sure you send me to Pablo. This shit is personal," Rico said.

"Until then, I need you to do me a favor." Michael started.

"What's that?" Rico queried.

"Gerardo's birthday."

Rico furrowed his eyebrows and asked, "What about it?"

"I get a plus one." Michael clarified.

"I just told you about Gerardo two seconds ago," Rico said.

"I told them I'd get back to them. But, that sketchy ass store and the weird ass cashier—I had to get out of there," Michael said.

"For the record, you're not considering closing a deal with him?"

"No, I never was," Michael informed him.

Rico looked relieved and said, "All right, good. I'll go, but they better not be on bullshit."

"That's why we stay ready," Michael said.

Michael couldn't shake the feeling that warned about the troubles to come. A series of unfortunate events occurred all at once with Alejo, Pablo, and Eric, like the wave of bad luck the year before.