Sebastian
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, Sebastian? 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, Sebastian. 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.
“Are you all right, Dr. Calhoun?” the receptionist asked, her voice almost inaudible.
“Just… just fine, Christine. I just have some unfinished business,” Winston answered like the good boy I knew he could be.
Cordero opened the back door, pushing him into the car and slamming the door with a hard thud. “Where to, boss?”
“That park on East Boardwalk should do,” I said as I whistled and moved to the other side, glancing at the office one last time. The women wouldn’t dare contact the police. I could tell that they knew exactly who I was. I eased inside, allowing Cordero to get on the highway before pulling out a cigar, taking my time to snip the end before lighting up.
He was watching every move I made.
“Get on with it, Sebastian. What do you want from me?”
“Seems like you had a busy morning,” I said quietly after taking a single puff, allowing the smoke to billow in a perfectly formed ‘O.’
“What are you talking about?”
I took several puffs, refusing to open one of the windows. I enjoyed his almost immediate hacking, although I had to admit, I thought about my father. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.” I finally turned my head in his direction, giving him a cold stare. “I would think a man of your stature would have some level of intelligence. I guess I thought wrong.”
“Do you want to cut the drama and tell me what the hell is going on?”
The man was actually still demanding. “Elena visited my parents. It happened to be while I was there. Now, you can imagine my surprise at seeing her condition.”
He sucked in his breath. “That bitch.”
My hand was wrapped around his throat before he had a chance at a second breath. I crowded closer, making certain the glowing end of the cigar was only inches from his valuable eye. “You will never call my sister a bitch again. You will also never lay another finger on her or my niece. Is that clear?”
Shifting, Winston remained quiet.
I tightened my hold. “I asked. Is. That. Clear?”
“Yes. Fine.”