I lifted her chin, surveying the damage. “Did he hit you anywhere else?”
“No. Not really.” She sniffed then broke into tears. “I don’t know why he’s like this. He was always so sweet to me before we got married. I do everything I can not to make him angry. He’s changed over the last few months. Just…”
My mind was already planning the method in which the man would die, while my heart was breaking for her as well. I pulled her close, holding the back of her head. “I promise you that everything is going to be all right. You don’t need to deal with this shit. Don’t worry, Dr. Calhoun is never going to lay a hand on you again.”
“But I love him. I really do.”
For all the stories I’d heard over the years, the various affairs that men within cartels and mob families had on a regular basis, I’d never understood their lack of respect. Maybe I was from a different world, but I wasn’t going to stand for this. Not for any reason. I should have taken out the motherfucker the first time I knew something was wrong.
I eased her back, trying to lower my voice. “Right now, you need to think about your daughter and nothing else. If that bastard could handle doing something like this to his own wife, imagine what he’d do to Selena.”
“Then I’d cut out his heart,” she stated with absolutely no inflection.
“That’s my sister, strong and beautiful. Just stay here. Okay? Trust me.”
“Miguel, what are you planning?”
“To make certain he doesn’t hurt you again.” I kissed her on the forehead once more and jogged down the stairs heading toward the front door.
“Miguel. Be careful what choices you make,” my father said from only inches behind me.
As I opened the door, I allowed the words to filter in and tipped my head until I could see his face. “Don’t worry, Father. You taught me well. I’ll do what’s absolutely necessary and nothing more.”
I’d give the good doctor two choices. If he was a smart man, he’d make the right one. If not? Then I would do what came naturally.
No one fucked with my family.
Miguel
I knew exactly where to find the fucking asshole doctor, his private practice affording him luxury vehicles and expensive dinners out with colleagues. All while my sister took care of their beautiful child mostly by herself, obviously living in fear of Winston’s mood swings.
At first, he’d seemed like the perfect man for Elena, doting on her with obvious passion and joy. I’d known all along that the man had a darkness buried inside. Hell, we all did. He only had balls small enough to take out his aggression on women he felt were inferior.
He’d never been afraid of the family, our power, or our influence. He’d simply ignored the concept that we were anything but a typical wealthy South Florida family. He would quickly learn he’d been dead wrong.
“What are you going to do, boss?” Cordero asked as we both exited one of the fleet of SUVs. I’d taken him along for muscle as well as to keep my head on straight. I could lose my shit with the doctor easily.
“We’re going to take him for a ride and explain a few things to him.”
“That’s cool. Think he’ll listen?”
I made certain my holster could be seen from under my jacket if necessary before heading toward the impressive office building he shared with no one else. I noticed his red convertible Mercedes parked in a special spot designed just for him. The man made my skin crawl. “Let’s just say it would be in his best interest.”
“What an asshole to beat up on a woman.”
I had to admire the larger than life man. He’d been in his share of barroom brawls over our years together, but he’d limited his violent mannerisms to those who deserved them. “Yeah, well, I’m afraid his plastic surgery days might be over with if he doesn’t listen to my come to Jesus speech.”
“Hey, boss, your father asked some questions about Santiago,” Cordero said quietly.
I gave him a look, lifting a single eyebrow. “The one thing I value more than anything is loyalty, Cordero. You’re an honorable man, especially to my father. What you need to keep in mind is that you’re working for me now. It’s vital that you share information with no one. Understood?”
He clenched his jaw before nodding. “Absolutely. He’s sick, isn’t he?”
Admitting the truth wasn’t easy for me. “Yeah, he is.”
I headed for the main entrance, noting the number of cars in the parking lot. Winston certainly had enough admirers, a huge portion of them women. Once inside, I moved past the receptionist desk, refusing to acknowledge the three females who were attempting to stop us.
“Sir, you can’t go back there. It’s a secure area!” The woman’s voice trailed behind us as we both barged in, moving from room to room.
One of the ladies must have called the good doctor. He came bustling from behind a closed door, out of breath and his face beet red.
“What the hell are you doing here, Miguel? Is something wrong?” Winston dared to ask.
I closed the distance, keeping a cold expression on my face. “Winston. I think it’s time that you and I had a conversation.”
Winston glanced toward Cordero, a single bead of sweat rolling down from his temple, even though his expression remained smug. “I am working, Miguel. I have patients. We’re going to have to do that some other time.”
I inhaled, glancing toward the room behind him. I simply moved around him, shoving open the door. The woman’s screech wasn’t the only obvious sign of distress. Her undressed state certainly didn’t indicate that she was having her already beautiful face worked on.
When Winston made an attempt to bypass Cordero, the brawny man placed a hand on his chest.
“Get your hand off of me,” Winston demanded.
I took another deep whiff, gathering the scent of the woman’s perfume all over him and walked back in front, slowing pushing him against the wall. “Here’s how we’re going to play this. You’re going to be a very good boy and you’re not going to make a scene. You’re coming with us where we’ll go somewhere quiet to talk. If you refuse or otherwise piss me the fuck off, I’m going to have to let my sister know that you were in a fairly horrific accident, one that will keep you from performing any surgery for the rest of your life. Are we clear?”
Winston swallowed, nodding like some fucking bobble-head doll. “Crystal.”
I issued a cautious grin. “Excellent. We’re just outside.” I shoved my way back into the waiting room, ignoring the whimpers from the other women.