Before The End

Fifteen

McKenzie closed her eyes hoping that would stop the tears. But they just kept coming. At some point Jason had come in and she pretended to be asleep. She layed perfectly still on her bed now, crying, replaying her conversation with Martin.

“I don’t even know where to start.” He said from his position on the couch across from her.

“Who were those people?” She asked him quietly.

“I don’t know. Probably enemies of my dad.”

“Why would your dad’s enemies want to kill us? He’s a business man.”

“Yes. He’s also Cartel boss.”

“What?” Kenzie asked looking up.

“Luis Cortes. Esteemed leader of Spain’s biggest Cartel, la familia. The family business that keeps us moving. We deal in weapons trafficking, drug trafficking, women.” He said looking down. He had whispered the last word in shame. “Some illegal street racing and there.”

“You’re...”

“We have a powerful grip on the drug markets in Spain, Mexico and 80% of the Hispanic counties. We’re trying to take over the markets in the US. But we aren’t the only family in the country seeking power. I’m here because my father wants me to take over.”

“But I heard Jason and Zack say you were adopted.” She said shaking her head.

“My father has everyone thinking that so that I can easily blend in. If they think my brother’s the heir and not me they won’t really be that cautious around me. I’m meant to fool everyone into thinking I’m just some innocent kid that was adopted by the wrong family. The fact that I look nothing like my dad helps.”

“You sure did fool me.”

“Everything I’ve said to you since I met you has been real. I just couldn’t tell you this.”

“That race track?”

“We own it.”

“My brother.” She said as if almost afraid of the answer. Martin looked at her and saw the fear in her eyes.

“He isn’t involved. He doesn’t know all of it.” He lied smoothly. “Jason and the guys are in the racing but they don’t know about the rest. How big this is. How dangerous. They aren’t involved with the drugs or the guns or the violence. That’s just me. They know the racing is illegal but that’s as far as it goes. It’s just to keep the mansion and to help with tuition fees for college and high school. And I know it’s too much to ask but I need you to not tell them.”

“You need me to keep my brother in a dangerous environment?” She yelled.

“I need you not to say anything because that will get you killed.” He said getting up.

“And who’s going to put the bullet through my head? You? One of your goons?” She asked getting up. “I’m not letting Jason turn into a murderer or a drug dealer. He’s not going to turn into some woman trafficking criminal okay. He’s not turning into you.”

“Turn into me?” He asked the hurt clear.

“I need you to leave Martin.” She whispered.

“What you don’t feel safe anymore around me? You think I’m going to snap and kill you.”

“I almost died tonight.”

“You think I don’t f*****g know that?” He asked walking to her and holding her face in his hands. “I was terrified I was going to lose you I can’t lose you.”

“Please just go.”She whispered closing her eyes.

Martin placed a small kiss on her forehead and reluctantly let go of her. He walked to the front door and turned to look at her again.

“I’m sorry for putting you in danger tonight. Goodnight McKenzie.”

...............

Jason’s heart was pounding out of his chest when Martin showed up at the party all messed up with bullet holes in his car. His first thought was Kenzie was hurt or worse dead. They kicked everyone out and sat together in Martin’s living room. Harry and Symmone had gone to keep Kenzie company.

“What happened?” Liam asked calmly knowing the rest of the guys were on edge. They were closer to little Kenzie than he was.

“We went to meet some people for dinner. We were supposed to finalise over a car deal. While at the restaurant some guys came in and started shooting up the place.” Martin said looking down.

“Is she hurt? Because I swear to god if she...” Jason hissed glaring at the kid in front of him.

“She’s not hurt physically.” He said.

“What did you tell her?” Logan asked.

“I would have played it off as a robbery if they hadn’t followed us and started shooting at us. She managed to get them off our tail and asked for the truth.” He said. “I told her about the organisation, my role, my father. I told her you guys aren’t involved in any of it. Apparently she overheard you talking about the racing so I told her that’s the only thing you’re involved in. That you don’t know about the drugs or guns. I told her the racing is only so you could earn money to take care of things.”

“Why would you do that?” Zack asked confused. “Why would you make yourself the bad guy?”

“She loves you guys. You should have seen the look on her face. She wouldn’t let me touch her, like she was scared I’d hurt her. Like I was some monster. The hurt in her eyes. We both might get over it and move on and find new people but you guys are her family. She’s probably going to tell you and you need to act shocked.” Martin told them seriously.

“Martin...”

“I need to go find out who those guys were and what they wanted. I’ll see you in school.” He said getting up and going upstairs.

Once inside his room he paused by the door and reached for the gun in his pocket. Aiming it at the figure by his window he took a cautious step forward.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Is that anyway to great an old friend?” The person said turning to face Martin with a smile.

“Vince?”

“Look who’s all grown up handling guns now.” Vince laughed.

“You know you’re only two years older than me?” Martin grumbled putting away the fire arm.

“We need to talk.”

“I’m not in the mood. Can we do this when I don’t feel like crap?”

“It has to do with what happened tonight. McKenzie’s in trouble.”