The Devil's Orchard

The Devil's Orchard Read Free

Book: The Devil's Orchard Read Free
Author: Ali Vali
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wants. You should understand that.”
    “I know you don’t like disappointing him.” He turned her around to face him once they were in the shower. “But sometimes he can’t have everything he wants. If you can’t explain that in a way that’ll make him understand, I’ll be happy to do it for you.”
    “Is it so hard to give him this woman who’s twisted his mind into a knot?” She cupped his testicles in her palm. Whenever she did, a tiny tendril of fear made him think she’d rip them off and show them to him as he writhed in pain.
    “Do you want to go to war with three of the strongest families in New Orleans? Do you think we’re in that position?” This was the last conversation he was having about this. If Gracelia refused to acknowledge the truth, he was leaving and starting over with the men who had begun answering to him since they’d returned to Mexico. Gracelia had quickly become bored with the day-to-day decisions, so he’d taken over, leaving her to pretend to make the big calls. The men still feared her, but they’d grown to respect his authority.
    “If you want to give him everything even when it’s not wise, you’ll go down with him. Not me, or anyone, will be able to save you.”
    Gracelia grabbed him by the biceps, appearing panicky. “You can’t leave me. I’ll kill you if you try.”
    “Then kill me and put me out of this miserable limbo,” he said, and shrugged her off. “If you want to cater to that idiot, do it. I’m out of here.” Her smile was smug, as if she wasn’t buying his bluff. But he wasn’t bluffing, which was freeing. The worry and despair of living the same day over and over was gone. This was it. He wasn’t interested in dying, but as he walked out of the bathroom he finally felt like he was getting somewhere.
    “You’re asking me to cut Juan out,” Gracelia said as she stood on the bathroom tiles dripping wet. “I can’t do that. He wouldn’t survive.”
    “That’s not what I want.” He threw his towel on the bed and shoved his legs into his jeans. “Gustavo or Juan, whatever you call him, is fixated on Emma Casey. To get her you have to get through Cain Casey. If he’s lucky enough to do that, the Jatibon and the Carlotti families will join with the Casey crew to hunt you down. I watched these people for years, so I know that for sure. Besides, Cain found Juan when he returned under the Ortega name with the help of Hector Delarosa. Do you have that much muscle at your disposal and haven’t shared it with me?”
    “Why would Hector help Casey?” Gracelia asked as she put her robe on, her skin covered in goose bumps.
    “I didn’t get to ask, but it might have something to do with what Cain brings to any of her business partnerships. Hector was smart to dole out the favors. He wants to establish himself, and getting Casey to back him is smart. Trying to get her wife for Juan to play with is fucking stupid, but knock yourself out since he needs you to prop him up.”
    “You want me to sacrifice him. It’s not that easy.”
    “No,” he yelled, tired of explaining himself. Gracelia had a talent for hearing only what she wanted. “You need to take a lesson from Rodolfo and keep him in line.”
    “My son hated Rodolfo.”
    “Obviously,” he said as he put his shoes on. “Especially with you whispering in his ear about the god Armando.”
    “You are talking dangerous words now.” Gracelia’s voice had become low and threatening.
    “Close your mind if you want, but while Rodolfo was alive he kept Juan on a short leash so he wouldn’t do anything stupid. Rodolfo knew Juan’s limitations and let him do only what he could handle.” He picked up his wallet and passport and slipped them into his back pocket. “The only person who did learn from Rodolfo, and he’s taking those lessons to heart, is Carlos Santiago, or Carlos Luis, since he took the name Rodolfo gave him. He’s being smart about how he does things, and one of his priorities

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