Chapter 101
A N G E L O
The visiting room was cold and It always smelled like bleach and sweat. I sat on the hard plastic chair waiting for the guards to bring in Ricardo Melendez.
I watch them bring him in. He looked older with his hair more gray but his eyes were the same old and cold.
He sat down across from me. The glass between us was thick and dirty.
“Angelo,” he said, his voice rough. “What is it now? You don’t come often than you use to, something is up p>
“I have news,” I said, leaning closer to the speaker. “Bad news p>
Ricardo’s eyes narrowed. “What p>
“Ariana,” I said. “She’s back p>
He stared at me for a second looking confused his face turned hard instantly. “What are you talking about? That’s not possible. We made it very clear to her she was never to return. She knew the consequences p>
“I know what we said!” I snapped my voice low. “But she’s here in New York and worst, living with Dante. I believe they’re back together p>
Ricardo’s fist clenched on the counter. “How? How did this happen p>
“Dante found her in wherever she hid,” I said. “He brought her back and they have two more kids now… And now she’s working at the company as his personal assistant p>
Ricardo’s face was turning red. “This is a disaster after all our planning, all my work from in here. All your hard work to make Dante trust you to become his right-hand man, she’s going to ruin everything p>
“I know that!” I said, my voice rising. “She already threatened me, you know she knows things, Ricardo and she’s the only one that knows we work together. If Dante should find out, he won’t spare me”
“How is she even back?” he roared slamming his hand against the glass, causing the guard looked over. Ricardo lowered his voice to a furious whisper. “How could she be so stupid to return p>
“She’s no longer intimidated by me or my threats, none of them work on her now, knowing that she has the upper hand, it doesn’t bother her. She’s different now, she’s more brave now or maybe stupid. I don’t know p>
Ricardo leaned back, his eyes burning with hate. “I regret the day I was blessed with a daughter like her. She’s a snake biting the hand that fed her. My own blood working against me, she’s just like her greedy mother p>
He looked back at me his gaze intense and angry. “You need to do something Angelo. You need to stop her before before she talks to Dante. If Dante finds out the truth it’s over for both of us. You will lose everything, your position in the company, along with our money as well… All our hardwork will go invain p>
“I know what’s at stake!” I said, feeling sweat on my forehead. “I’m trying to handle it p>
“Trying isn’t good enough!” he snarled. “You need to make sure she can’t talk. Permanently. Do you understand me p>
I looked away. I didn’t like what he was suggesting. Threatening her was one thing. But something permanent? That was different.
Seeing my hesitation, Ricardo changed the subject. “When are you breaking me out of here? You said you were working on it, I’m rotting in this cell while you’re out there living my life p>
“I am working on it!” I insisted, getting angry now. “It’s not easy! The lawyers need more money, the paperwork is complicated. These things take time p>
“Time?” he laughed a harsh ugly sound. “I don’t have time, I’ve been in here for five years because I took the fall for our plan and you promised you would get me out! You owe me Angelo p>
“I know I owe you!” I shouted, not caring about the guards now. “But you shouting at me doesn’t make it happen faster. Do you have any idea the pressure I’m under? Running Dante’s company making him trust me, and now dealing with your daughter trying to destroy us both p>
“Don’t you dare blame this on me or my daughter!” Ricardo yelled. “This was your plan too! You wanted Dante’s empire just as much as I did, you are just as guilty p>
We were both standing now, leaning towards the glass, our faces red with anger, Ricardo is a pain in the ass.
The guard started walking towards us. “That’s enough! Visit’s over p>
Ricardo pointed a shaking finger at me through the glass. “You handle her, Angelo. You silence her and you get me out of this hellhole or I swear I will start talking. I’ll tell Dante everything and I’ll make sure you end up in the cell next to mine p>
The guard grabbed his arm to lead him away with Ricardo keeping his furious eyes on me until he was out of sight.
I sat back down, my whole body shaking.
Fuck!
What to do now?
I needed to handle the Melendez, I won’t let them ruin what I’ve worked for, for so long.