Marcelo fisted his hands at his sides. “What did you say, corpse-fucker?”
Duck took an inch forward.
I stepped in front and blocked Duck. “When will Leo be taken care of?”
“I’m handling it.” Lei turned around and walked off.
Marcelo began to storm after him.
I put my hand in front and grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t. Lei needs time.”
Meanwhile, Duck put his sword down and blew a kiss to Marcelo. “Maybe, next time.”
Marcelo put his hand out, caught the invisible kiss, and planted it on his crotch. “Fuck you.”
“Goodbye, gentlemen.” Giving me a sad smile, Chen half-bowed and left.
Marcelo shook his head. “These next days are going to be a shit show.”
“And we’ll have to clean up as much shit as possible.”
“Do you think Lei can keep his father from killing all of us?”
“I do.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because I have my men at a distance watching Leo. The tracker is still on him. Leo has no idea. Meanwhile, Lei’s men are surrounding him. This situation is by far the only one somewhat in my control.”
We watched Lei walk over to one of the three motorcycles parked on the edge of the cemetery. He jumped on the dark blue one, started it, and sped away. Chen and Duck did the same and rushed after him.
Marcelo looked at me. “After all this shit, I may step away. I may give Gunner the South.
“Gunner is a fine man, but I want to work with you.”
“I’m growing on you?”
“Like bacteria. Luckily some bacteria is good.” I turned around and checked Chanel and Romeo’s gravesite. A hill of dirt packed both. Now, only a few people gathered around.
“You always wanted control of Paradise, Dima. Maybe, you want the South. What would you give me for it?”
“Weeks ago, I would have jumped at the opportunity for more of Paradise to rule.”
“Now?”
“With Romeo’s and Chanel’s deaths and even. . .Viktor.” I swallowed and gazed up at the branch where the two crows had sat. For some reason, my heart broke at the emptiness. “I’m finding that I no longer want control. I’m not even sure about the Diamond Syndicate.”
“You’re having the same thoughts as me.”
“I need something. . .new.”
I scanned the area for Parks and Rose. While I didn’t see Parks, I found Rose with my men and. . .my mother. They both chatted and laughed.
My body tensed.
When did Mom arrive?
“I understand,” Marcelo said. “Romeo’s and Chanel’s deaths have made me wonder what the true point of life is? Why are we fucking here? To be sad? To be broken?”
I squinted my eyes at Mom and Rose as if that could help me better hear their conversation.
Marcelo continued, “I have the money. The power. The bitches and cars. The planes and bars. And don’t forget, tons of yachts. Of course I have a big dick and tons of pussy to fill.”
What would Mom be telling Rose? What does. . .Mom think about her?
Marcelo continued, “Yet, some days I wake up and feel like I have nothing at all.”
I looked at him. “I know that feeling.”
“You were actually paying attention this time?”
“A little.”
“Good. I guess.” He stared at me. “So with loneliness and shit. . .I’m not the only one?”
“Not at all.”
“Then. . .if this depressing shit is normal then. . .” Marcelo shrugged. “I’ll remain in the South until we figure out what’s up with the Diamond Syndicate. We need to keep Paradise safe.”
“Which means that we remain in control until it is.”
“And when it is safe?”
“Then, we have this talk again. Perhaps. . .we’ll both retire.”
Marcelo laughed. “And what will you do with yourself, if you can’t control the city.”
“Hmmm.” An odd flicker of light sparked in my head. “Actually, there are other ways to control a city.”
“Meaning?”
I turned to him and grinned. “Who’s challenging Parks in Paradise’s mayoral race?”
“Fuck. I don’t know. This shit just started. I think the other side is still looking at two guys.”
“Find out for me.” I patted Marcelo and left.
He called back at me. “Why?”
“We need a new mayor.” I headed over to Mom and Rose, getting more mud on my shoes.
This is going to be odd.
When I arrived, Mom frowned at the shoes as if I’d dirtied them on purpose.
Usually, she kept her grayish blonde hair curled around her shoulders. Today, she had it brushed back into a bun. A black velvet hat topped her head. Two black peacock feathers stuck out the side. Like Rose, she wore a black suit. In fact, both outfits appeared very similar.
Sunglasses hid her eyes. That told me that she’d been crying all day. She didn’t like to show weakness in public.
“Good afternoon, Mom.” I went to her, leaned down, and kissed her cheek. “If I knew you were coming, I would have picked you up.”
“I wasn’t sure until the last minute. Chanel was the gun-wielding daughter I never had. And Romeo wasn’t my son, but I loved him just like he was.” She sniffled. “Why would Leo do that?”