Bloodbath

by K. A. Merikan

  Domenico swallowed hard, thrown off guard by this kind of indifference to the man’s own brother. Nero Moreno was known for his unpredictability, but this surprised even a man as hardened by killing as Domenico. Clearly, there hadn’t been much love between the two men. Unless it was all an act. They’ve already found out the hard way that Nero was a great liar.

  Finally, Nero peeked out from behind Miguel, but Dom didn’t pull the trigger, and they stared at one another. Nero’s eyes lost their humor.

  “Who are you people? And you,” he said to Mark, “better lower that gun if you don’t want your cousin to die.”

  Mark growled but slowly did as he was told. “We’re not here for you, we can all leave—”

  “Don’t you dare give this bastard any more ideas,” hissed Domenico and gestured toward the door. “Miguel got himself caught. Again. Be the one who can actually learn!”

  Mark shut up, but Miguel didn’t take Dom’s words lightly. He pushed back against Nero just as the crazy fucker was about to laugh, and a hit from Miguel’s elbow made Nero fall slightly. Miguel saved his head only because he ducked half a second before Nero pulled the trigger, and despite being bound and gagged, Miguel shoved Nero at the wall with his whole body weight so hard Dom could swear he heard a bone crack.

  The fact that it was so easy to push Miguel into action by questioning his skill was something worth noting for the future. Domenico didn’t hesitate and leapt behind the two bodies, pressing the steel of his gun against Nero’s head with a silent promise. The green eyes flickered at him in surprise.

  “Wait! Question him!” Seth took a step closer, while Miguel struggled with his gag, but eventually managed to push it out.

  “The son of a bitch jumped at me from the top of a wardrobe. How the fuck was I to expect that?” Miguel asked through clenched teeth, looking as if he now wanted to attack Dom for the insult, but Seth pulled him back by the ties on his hands.

  Nero let out a cackle. “You never know when a caiman comes to get you.”

  Miguel spun around and spat at Nero but didn’t try to wriggle away from Seth, who took care of the rope around Miguel’s wrists.

  “Hey, no hard feelings. Whoever you are, we work on the same side tonight. You already took care of my problem,” Nero said, looking at Dom without fear in his eyes, even though the weight of the steel against his head would have made most men soil themselves. But he made no sudden moves, so he did experience worry somewhere beneath that reptile grin.

  Seth stepped closer, and Dom didn’t like him in such close proximity of a man as unpredictable as Nero.

  “You want to make us believe you wanted your brother dead? If you did, you had a thousand opportunities to kill him yourself. You even traveled here together,” Seth said.

  Nero smirked, and the scaly caiman on his chest moved with each of his breaths. “You think I have a death wish? No. I couldn’t be the one. Toro needed to take the blame, even if it would have been me to really pull the trigger.”

  Domenico frowned. “You wanted a scapegoat,” he said, glancing at Seth and Miguel, who both watched them with interest, even if Miguel still seemed somewhat twitchy.

  Seth shook his head. “He’s lying. He’s lied to us time and time again. He hunted down Miguel, and wasn’t unhappy to see me captured either.”

  Nero licked his lips. “If you want me to say I care what happens to you, that won’t happen. I don’t fucking know what your agenda is, but I know you are not the men who captured the girl for my brother.”

  Domenico swallowed hard and pushed the barrel tighter against Nero’s temple. This time, it got him a nervous tremble out of his captive. “You told anyone?”

  “Why the hell would I? The player who shows his cards is as good as dead,” hissed Nero, watching him with his cool gaze. “But we’re at a standstill here, so I say check. We both uncover our cards and see if something can be worked out.”

  A soft female voice was the last thing Domenico expected when he struggled with choosing what lie to tell Nero. “I’ve seen him before,” Charlotte said, slowly standing up behind the sofa, and made an effort to find her voice again when all eyes settled on her. “Weeks ago, he promised me I’d be free. That I just needed to wait…”

  Nero bumped his head against the wall, rolling his eyes away, as if being exposed as someone who actually had a seed of decency in them was an embarrassing position to be in. “Oh, little girl. I see you haven’t relied on me only then. Could have backfired on you,” he mumbled in the end. No one said anything, and Nero finally glanced at Domenico with a begrudging expression. “I don’t... I do not love all of my father’s business. And Samuel was even worse than him. It has nothing to do with you, but we could work together on this. Toro’s security failed. We could blame it all on him.”

  Seth glanced at Domenico, but sadly they had no way of reading each other’s thoughts. He didn’t shake his head though, so that was a bit of information for Domenico to chew on.

  “Will you take over Samuel’s position at your father’s side?” Seth asked Nero, and Dom was glad for it, because it gave him more time to think.

  Maybe if they appeared sympathetic to the Morenos, it would get them closer to Raul himself. Nero was a smart man, even if he seemed borderline mad, and he could surely be dealt with on different terms than Cannibal Moreno. There was gain to be had from this. “We have a personal grudge against Toro,” Domenico said in the end, pretending to uncover his cards. “No beef with the Morenos until now. What will you do? How do I know you won’t throw us under the bus?”

  Nero licked his lips and turned his head, sliding his temple against the gun in a parody of a caress. He was getting more sure of himself then. “Father always preferred my brother. I will need new allies, and Toro’s betrayal would be far more believable than his beloved Samuel dying at the hands of men who mean nothing around here. No offense,” he added after a full second’s silence.

  Domenico sighed. “I wouldn’t mind working with you. This place has necessary facilities, but I do not want to work with Toro’s men. They would not trust me.”

  “You need to exchange the whole crew then,” Nero said in a joking tone, but there was no humor in his eyes. A wordless agreement passed between them, and Domenico slowly pulled away the gun.

  “After all he’s done?” Miguel hissed and stepped closer. “He’s a Moreno, and he’ll betray us like any other Moreno would! I’ll gladly shoot him myself. We can blame it on all Toro anyway. We don’t need his word!”

  Domenico took in the evidence of fury burning through Miguel’s body. The man had a very personal stake in this mess, and Domenico felt for him, but he would not let a personal vendetta of Miguel’s ruin their plan. “Actually, we do. Think clearly for a second,” Domenico said, drilling his gaze into Miguel while Nero Moreno slowly stretched his body.

  Miguel snarled like a wild dog and stepped back, never looking away from Nero. “You touch me again, motherfucker, and you’re dead!”

  Seth frowned. “What did he do?”

  Nero shrugged, and the mocking smile back on lis lips. “It was you who chose to barge into my room when I was watching porn naked. Don’t act like my cock is a machine gun. We’re all grown-ups.”

  “You’re fucking disgusting!” Miguel spat.

  Domenico winced but made himself laugh. “Relax, Miguel. It’s all for the end game, isn’t it?” he asked, watching Miguel pointedly.

  A few deep breaths later, Miguel was able to answer. “Yeah. The end game.”

  Domenico smirked and pushed Nero toward the open cell. Nero frowned and glanced at him over his shoulder, but when Dom waved his gun pointedly, he obeyed, watching them as Domenico locked him inside.

  “If it makes you feel any better, Miguel, you’ll get to watch him for now.”

  Miguel huffed, but his black eyes were on Nero as if he were skinning the caimans inked all over the man’s body. “And if he fails to honor his word, I get to kill him.”

  Domeni
co nodded. “Agreed. But you don’t get to if he stays true. Is that clear? Remember what your mother promised us.”

  All it got Dom was a huff so deep it sounded like it came from the innards of a furious dragon, but he was sure the message sunk in. Domenico nodded before glancing at Seth.

  “Wait for a moment. I need a word with Mark,” Domenico said, already pulling the boy to the open door.

  Mark looked back at Charlotte. “It’s fine,” he whispered to her before they disappeared together in the dark corridor.

  Dom shut the door, needing a moment to bring himself to look into Mark’s eyes. A lamp kept blinking above their heads, making the heaviness in Domenico’s heart even more aggravating. “Are you sure about this? That you want to leave with her?”

  “I’ve never met anyone like her,” Mark said quietly, and the sincerity in his eyes killed Domenico. He couldn’t be like Tassa and try to stand in Mark’s way by force. He couldn’t stand in the way of Mark’s life. “She said her parents would help me. She would… teach me to ride a horse,” he mumbled the last bit, as if he was embarrassed to say it out loud.

  “So she’s the one then? A princess with a magical mansion and a horse?” Domenico asked, resigned.

  “She is. I’m sorry.”

  Domenico swallowed hard, trying to compose himself in the face of such disappointment. “I thought you’d stay with us a bit longer.”

  “Me too. I wouldn’t have been able to save her if it wasn’t for everything you taught me.”

  Domenico exhaled and pulled out his wallet. It was just a fraction of what was needed, but it would be a start. He handed the wad of cash inside to Mark, then took some more from the back of his gun holster. “I don’t have any more right now. Take her out of the country as soon as possible.”

  Mark swallowed and nodded quickly. “I will. My passport is in the safebox at the jungle tour place?”

  Domenico folded his arms on his chest. “Yes. Take any money you find there too. You’ll need it.” As difficult as it was to give up on someone Domenico had put so much work and dedication into, it was a pleasure to see how much Mark had grown since they first met. Strangely enough, Mark standing up to him had been weirdly satisfying to see. He’d hate to only have Mark always try to please him.

  Domenico was proud of him.

  Mark dared a faint smile. “Thank you. For everything.”

  Domenico cleared his throat and brushed his fingers over Mark’s shoulder. The knowledge that they would likely never see each other again was opening a void somewhere inside Domenico, but all he could hope for was that Mark would never regret his decision. “Remember, we don’t exist once you leave. Don’t try to contact us. Don’t keep our photos. No one can ever know we’re acquainted.” He exhaled. “But keep your number. If I ever call you and tell you specifically to stay put, don’t think. Just run. Do you understand?”

  Mark nodded, and his eyes glistened a lot more than before, but tears didn’t spill. He was getting tougher every day, and it hurt Dom that he wouldn’t get to see the man Mark would become.

  He didn’t want to get overly emotional, so he opened the door and called Charlotte over. “You two are going home. Smile,” said Domenico sourly when the girl rushed through the door, straight into Mark’s arms, as if she was afraid Dom would strike her.

  “Thank you,” she said quickly, shivering in Mark’s arms like a bunny in winter. Domenico still couldn’t comprehend that someone like her would be Mark’s choice.

  He kept his eyes on Mark, who stared back at him even as he tightened his embrace around Charlotte. Seth approached in silence and stood at Dom’s side like a solid presence that would offer him comfort if it was needed.

  “You’re welcome, little girl. You shouldn’t talk to strangers,” Domenico said, unable to keep the snarl to himself. “Don’t tell anyone about the things that happened here, and I promise your family will be safe and well.”

  Mark looked uncomfortable, but he didn’t protest. He knew it was necessary.

  “I won’t!” Charlotte said quickly as Mark pulled away from her to give Seth a tight hug.

  “Good luck, Mark,” Seth said when they pulled apart.

  Domenico pushed his hands into his pockets, wishing this pity party would be over. He hated goodbyes. “Be careful. Go. There’s no time to waste. Try getting out through one of the holes in the fence.”

  Mark nodded and hesitated for a few more seconds, but there was nothing left to say, so he and Charlotte turned around and started walking toward their future.

  Seth’s arm went around Dom’s shoulder, soothing him so unexpectedly Dom stopped breathing. Dom swallowed the pressure in his throat and leaned against Seth. “Didn’t see that coming,” he whispered, watching his son desert him. But what kind of parent would he be if he didn’t let Mark choose his own way? Mark was old enough for that. When Domenico was his age, he’d done so much more already.

  “He’ll be all right,” Seth whispered and kissed Dom’s temple, reading his mind like no one else in the world was able to.

  Domenico didn’t know what to answer, but fortunately the phone buzzed in his pocket, and since it could be Dana, he pulled it out quickly.

  His fingertips pulsed around the device and he switched it off before stuffing it into his pocket. “Dana says Toro is about to flee in his helicopter.”

  Chapter 21 - Domenico

  Domenico pulled Seth inside the room and shut the door behind him. Some things needed to be discussed before he went off, but remaining out in the open, where someone could hear their voices was too dangerous. Something inside him was telling him to just leave Seth with Miguel and go, but if he was to deal with this shit, he needed to point out a few things.

  He took several deep breaths and looked up, watching two pairs of eyes pointed straight at him from across the room. Miguel was evidently still sulking, but Nero’s face was that of a child who had found its toys before Christmas Day.

  Seth turned Dom by the arm to face him. “Don’t let this get to you now when we need to focus,” he said quietly in Italian.

  Domenico pressed his lips tightly together. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m always focused. I have a job to do. It’s you who needs to focus on the important things and listen to me,” he shot back, struggling to keep his voice low when his lungs screamed with too much air.

  Seth frowned, his lips parting. “I… You’re clearly upset with Mark’s decision, I was just saying that you shouldn’t be thinking about it too much.”

  “I’m not upset,” hissed Domenico, trying to ignore the two gazes watching them in hope of understanding a little bit of Italian, just because Spanish was also a Romance language. Well, Miguel and Nero wouldn’t be having it. Domenico made his accent deliberately heavier. “Why would I care? He’s made his decision. If he’d rather pray to magical pussy than be with the people who risked their lives for him, then I’m fucking glad to let him go.”

  Seth groaned and wouldn’t give up, despite talking about Dom’s feelings being really the last thing that mattered right now. He even kept clutching at Dom’s arm, as if sinking his words into Domenico wasn’t enough. “Maybe if you hadn’t criticized him for liking pussy in the first place, he’d consider staying. You can’t shit all over his sexuality and expect him to be happy with it.”

  Domenico closed his jaw so hard it hurt to speak. “Well, he’s a dumb little fuck. Both of us heard people shitting all over our sexuality all our lives, and we pushed through, didn’t we? If he doesn’t even have enough backbone to stand a few comments from me, then maybe it’s for the better he left so soon.”

  “That’s such a shit thing to say. He’s seventeen! I didn’t even watch gay porn at that age, too terrified someone would find out.” Seth was intent on agitating Dom further when Mark’s confused sexuality was the last thing they should be worrying about now.

  Anger exploded in Domenico and erupted from his lips as he pushed Seth at the wall. He did not want to discuss Mark. Pos
sibly ever again, but definitely not now, when there were so many other things he needed to tell Seth. “When I was his age, your uncle was feeding me his dick. Don’t you fucking dare school me!”

  Seth looked away in an instant, as if Dom hurt him somehow by telling the truth. Well, tough luck, because it was Dom’s life they were talking about not Seth’s sulky teenage years.

  “Fine,” Seth muttered in the end with his shoulders set. He gave Dom a half-hearted shove. “Let’s go then.”

  Domenico rolled his eyes, glad that the topic blew over. “You’re not going anywhere. It will be much easier for me to sneak out alone.”

  Seth’s head snapped up. “No, I’m going. We’ve been in this together for weeks, and you had me come back here. I said I’ll see it through and I will.”

  “You will endanger me if you come,” hissed Domenico, pinning Seth with his gaze and stepping closer. “It’s a small helicopter, and it stands out in the open. We can’t possibly both hide in there.”

  Seth clenched his fists. “What if you need me?”

  “I won’t,” Domenico said, never looking away from Seth’s warm brown eyes. Of course he’d want Seth to have his back, but each weapon had battles it wouldn’t be suited for. “It will be safest for both you and me if you stay here.”

  But Seth’s features hardened, and he crossed his arms on his chest, as if to signify he wouldn’t accept any reasonable arguments. “Fine.”

  Domenico exhaled with relief, but there was no time for rest. He needed to get to that helicopter fast. “If something happens, access the deposit box in Rio that I told you about. The code is—”

  Seth’s eyes went wide, and he pushed at Dom with fury. “Fuck off with this bullshit! You don’t get to do this now! I don’t want your stupid bank vault codes!”

  Domenico grunted, keeping up a calm facade for the sake of Miguel and Nero, who both listened on, as if Domenico and Seth were a soap opera. “You do need it, and you will know how to get access to the funds. Rio is my biggest stash. If something happens, I need you to take that money and stay safe somewhere. Should be enough if you’re savvy.”