BRANDON SALVATORE
After a warm bath, I collaspe onto the bed, wanting a good sleep since the operation the previous day lasted until night. I slept for long and when I woke up, it was already evening. I wash my face, throw a polo and shorts on before leaving my room. I hear voices from downstairs, Kingpin must have arrived.
"Hello little cuzo," he says on seeing me, approaching and pulling me in an uncomfortable hug. "I've missed you."
I cover his face with my hand and push him backwards. "No touching," I spat, I hate proximity, especially with my opposite sex, why exactly should we be hugging or being close, we were men and had to act like one, hand shaking was enough for me.
"Looks like you had a wonderful sleep," my father speaks for the first time and I don't reply, I only move to seat beside my sister and snatch her hamburger.
"Hey!" She tries to reach for it but I don't let her, I was taller anyways. "I hate you," she pouts and I chuckle.
"You just lied," I say and put the hamburger in my mouth, she tries again to take it but fails.
"Enough of the playing, you're not kids anymore," Franklin says with a frown on his face.
Annie takes back her seat, annoyance flashing before her eyes. I glare at my father, wondering what his problem was.
"Annie's eighteen," I remind him. "And we're just having siblings rivalry, you don't have to be a mood spoiler everytime."
He raises a brow. "Telling you to grow up makes me a mood spoiler?"
"When you put it like that, you make others think you're a saint. We both know you're not."
Franklin slams his hand on the table, glaring at me. My father hated being challenged, he hated when I put him where he belongs but I don't care as I do it all the time, that's why he's pissed because he knows I won't stop.
"You're just twenty, Brandon."
"Is that so?" I massage my temple. "But I've been trained to act like someone in their late twenties, you don't seem innocent of that."
His patient snaps and he throws a table knife towards my direction. I duck, causing the utensil to clatter on the ground. Annie's eyes open in shock.
"Father," she calls.
I give a half smile, I was fast all thanks to him. The reflexes has saved my life most of the time. "You want to kill me in front of your guest?" I ask
"Enough," Kingpin intervene "Let's just have a normal family dinner."
"I'm beginning to agree with Kingpin, for the first time. Could also be the last, though."
Kingpin ignores me and smiles. "I didn't come alone."
That's when I look up at him, I had a problem with him coming here and he's saying he didn't come alone?
"I brought my girlfriend, Amaya Mendoza!"
Annie chokes in her drink and I'm wondering if she knows Amaya, probably the surname.
"Asin, Amaya Mendoza?" She ask, wanting the clarification badly.
"Yes," he replies. "Looks like you won't be the only woman around."
The door opens and Amaya walks in, a smile on her face. "Hello family," she greets, walking to stand beside Kingpin.
"Is this a joke?" I ask, my anger visible. "You really brought a Mendoza into our home?"
Kingpin looks at my father with that 'Is that a problem' look. "Everything is wrong, you should send her back," I say.
"Calm down, Brandon," Annie says and I only calm down because it's her.
"I need some air," I stand up and leave without waiting for any reply. I walk outside and pull out a cigar, settling it between my lips. However, before I could light it, Annie shows up and snatches it.
"Sorry, just wanted to talk," she says.
"About?" I ask.
"Amaya, you made her uncomfortable."
"She should be, she's the daughter to a very powerful man and she's here with Kingpin. We both know how dangerous he is, Annie. What if he hurts her?"
"What if she stays here and becomes close to us. What if she falls deeply of Kingpin and marries him, an alliance is formed and the Mendoza will be one of us, our empire is built successfully."
"Annie, things don't just work like that, and we don't know if her family are in support of her coming here," I place both hands on her shoulder. "This is our home, Annie, I'm sure her family already tracked our location. They know each and everyone of us."
Annie gulps and I see the fear in her eyes, I caused that, I shouldn't have filled her head with such.
"Hey," I call softly. "I'm just kidding, she can stay, but we have to be cautious."
She nods but I know she does it because she doesn't know what to say. "Get some rest," I tell her and she fakes a smile before walking away. Annie's movement is stiff and I know I altered something. That was for later, for now, I needed to pass a message to Kingpin.