Ruthless Spring

They're cooking up something and the aftertaste may kill us all.

I study the security cameras, watching as the door to Maximo's study opens for the first time today.

And the demented man steps out.

He looks as malicious as usual, his hair tousled and flowing just below his shoulders. He's grinning as Lucia walks out behind him, saying something. The cameras don't have sound and she's turned away just enough that I can't read her lips, either.

She reaches out, patting Maximo on the shoulder and they both start laughing.

Definitely not good.

I continue to watch them on the monitors, swearing when I realize they're headed to the garage. I wait five minutes before heading the same way. Maximo's car is still present, but Lucia's is gone. I don’t waste time climbing into my own car.

I ride to the gate, rolling down my window. “Which way did Lucia go?" I ask the guard.

He points out and I follow the direction, making a couple of guesses with my next turn. I'm relieved when Lucia's car comes into view, and I watch as she takes a right.

I continue to tail them, hoping they're just going clubbing, which isn't unusual, but knowing they’re up to something much more sinister.

It feels like I’ve been following them for over an hour when it's actually closer to half an hour. Lucia finally pulls to a stop. She makes sure to stay away from the streetlights and I keep my distance, my teeth gritted.

We're in Ramos territory.

It hadn't dawned on me until I spotted the little Mexican restaurant they're famous for. Their territory isn't nearly as big as ours or the Seven Quad’s, but it's just as powerful. I know it isn't a coincidence that Lucia and Maximo ended up here.

The diner is well lit and bustling, families and businessmen alike enjoying their meal. Some are aware of whose territory they're in, but others are oblivious, innocents about to be put in danger because of two wackos.

Being a part of the family, there's a lot of wrongdoing I've accepted and haven't missed a moment of sleep over.

But I always try to keep innocent people out of my landscape.

I'm not always successful, but...

The driver's side door swings open and Lucia steps out. She stretches her arms over her head casually, but her shirt lifts and I don't miss the piece at her side. She carries it everywhere, but the one that I notice on the opposite hip as she turns, is only on her when she means business.

The passenger side door opens and Maximo steps out, looking like death himself. He strides over to Lucia and says something to her before they head towards the diner.

Fuck.

Being Gio’s second, Maximo is technically higher up than me. I'm not supposed to interrupt his affairs without strict orders from Giovanni.

I take my phone out, dialing Gio.