Fernando - Bad Boy Love (Bad Boy Love Series Book 1) (12 page)

Fernando had carried Gwen to her bed, and they were cuddling and enjoying the aftermath of their time together when his cell phone rang. His first reaction was to ignore it, but then he remembered he hadn’t told Amada where he was going.

“I need to get that,” he murmured, pulling his arm from around her shoulders and leaning over to retrieve his phone. The number looked familiar, and he swiped his thumb across the screen. “Yeah?”

“Fernando.”

He cringed. “Tito. What do you want?”

“Just a friendly call among friends to see if you’ve changed your mind about doing that job with us.”

He flicked his eyes to Gwen, who was eying him curiously. “No. I haven’t and I won’t. That’s my last word.”

“I was afraid you’d say that, so Carlos and I took out a little insurance.”

“What in the hell are you talking about?” Fernando jumped up.

“See, your loyalty has left much to be desired lately, so we paid a little visit to your sister.”

His blood went cold. “You leave Amada out of this,” Fernando yelled into the phone.

“Sorry, man. No can do. So, here’s how this is going to work. You’re going to get us into the warehouse, and then we’ll release your sister exactly the way we found her. If you should decide you can’t help us out…well, let’s just say that beautiful Amada will pay the price for your defection.”

“You better not lay a hand on her,” Fernando growled through clenched teeth.

“That, my friend, is entirely up to you. We’ll be in touch for your answer.”

Fernando stared at the phone. “Tito! You damn fucking bastard!”

Gwen placed a hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? I’ll tell you what’s wrong!” he screamed at her, unable to contain his fury and started pacing. “My old gang just gave me an ultimatum. They kidnapped Amada, and if I won’t help them break into the warehouse, God knows that those bastards will do to her.”

“Fernando, you can’t do that.”

“I don’t have a choice now, do I?” He spat out the words like venom.

“Of course you have a choice. Nothing will happen, they’re just making idle threats.”

She stepped in front of him and took his hand, but he shook it off, giving a harsh laugh. “You don’t know these people, Gwen. They don’t make idle threats. They will harm her. Seriously. If they haven’t already done so.”

Her blue eyes pleaded with him. “I’m sorry that your sister is mixed up in this, but if you rob that warehouse, you aren’t any better than them. We should call the police.”

“No police!” he shouted. “She’s my sister. My responsibility.”

“Fernando, please…”

His vision blurred, and he was afraid he’d hurt Gwen if she kept standing in his way. Throwing on his clothes as quickly as he could, he muttered, “I have to get out of here.”

“Don’t do this. Think of your future…” Gwen’s voice took on a pleading tone, and it broke his heart to see the disappointment in her eyes. But there was no choice for him, not where the safety of his sister was concerned.

“I have to think about her future. Don’t you get it?”

“What I get is that you’re throwing away everything you’ve worked so hard for.”

“Damn right I am.”

He hadn’t noticed when she’d done it, but her body was now wrapped in the sheet, and she shot daggers at him. “If you do this, it will be over. For good. I can’t be with a criminal.”

Her words ripped his heart from his chest, but it was too late. He couldn’t sacrifice his sister. Not even for Gwen.

Fernando stormed out of her place, certain he’d lost the only woman he’d ever loved. But blood was thicker than water – or love.

Back at home, Amada was nowhere to be found. He called her cell phone. Nothing.
God, it’s true!

Worried, he collapsed onto the couch, burying his head in his hands. What would he do without his little sister? If something happened to her, it would be his fault. Full of rage, he got up and crushed a glass in his bare hand. The sharp edges cut his skin, and he watched blood drop to the floor.

I swear you will pay for kidnapping Amada, even if it’s the last thing I do.

He kept glancing at his cell phone, wishing it would ring so someone would tell him what he was supposed to do next. But that damn thing was as mute as a maggot. When the doorbell rang, he tore it open to find Tito and Carlos standing there. He looked down the hall, “Where’s Amada?”

“She’s safe,” Carlos smirked.

“Where is she? I want to talk to her.”

Tito withdrew his phone and dialed a number before handing it over to Fernando. When he heard his sister’s voice, so many emotions flooded his system, he wanted to cry. “Sis, are you alright?”

“Fernando, what’s going on?” Her voice was tense.
She’s trying to be brave.

“Everything will be okay. Just sit tight, and we’ll be together soon. I promise.”

“Don’t do anything wrong. Not for me. Please, promise me.”

“You know I can’t do that, sis.”

“Nando, I’m scared–”

“That’s enough,” Tito said, grabbing the phone and ending the call. “Now, invite us in so we can get down to business.”

“If you hurt as much as a hair on her head, you’re both dead,
cabrónes
.”

“It’s up to you,
maricón
. Do what we want and little sis will go unharmed.”

Fernando stepped back, letting his old gang members into the apartment. At least Amada was safe. For now. He followed Tito and Carlos to the dining room table and asked, “So what’s the plan?”

They produced a map of the area. “The warehouse is here. It’s an industrial area, and most of the buildings appear to be vacant. As far as we’ve seen, nobody lives in the area and there’s no passers-by at night. The job has to be done tomorrow night, after dark.”

“Why tomorrow and not tonight?”

“Because they’re going to receive a brand new supply of smartphones and tablets tomorrow afternoon. I’ve already scouted buyers on the black market who will take the merchandise off our hands,” Tito boasted.

Fernando raised a brow. “That’s thinking ahead.” He hadn’t meant to compliment them, but that was how it came out.

“We’ve got everything figured out, except how to disarm the security alarm and pick the lock. That’s where you come in.”

His blood boiled at the thought of how they’d coerced him to break the law, and he’d gladly strangle both of them bare-handed, if that didn’t mean he might never see Amada again.

“Alright. And when do I get Amada back?”

“As soon as we’re out of there with our merchandise, we’ll let you know where she is.”

Fernando agreed. For now. He needed to come up with a plan to secure her release before he broke into the warehouse. Otherwise, they might just keep her.

Tito slapped his shoulder. “We’ll meet you at the old bridge tomorrow just before dark. Don’t do anything stupid or you can say goodbye to your sister.”

“I’ll be there.”

Carlos sneered, “Never doubted you wouldn’t be.”

Once they left, Fernando lay down and tried to sleep, but his mind wouldn’t shut off. He alternated between worrying about Amada, and immense sadness over having lost Gwen. She’d been dead serious about breaking up with him if he committed a crime.
But what choice do I have? There’s no way out.

***

The alarm clock shrilled and jerked Fernando out of his nightmares. He woke feeling wrung out but jumped out of bed as soon as the memories of the day before hit. Despite better judgment, he went into Amada’s room to look for her. Empty. As empty as his insides felt.

He strolled into the kitchen to eat some cereal, wallowing in self-pity. A glance at his watch told him he’d be late for work if he didn’t hurry up. What difference did it make? He’d either be fired today for being late or tomorrow for his criminal offense.
There’s no way out.

Ben had been very clear with his rules. He’d be fired, no matter what he did. But Fernando honestly liked Ben and working in the gym. He might as well go one last time. Work would at least keep his mind from spiraling out of control with worry for Amada.

He sneaked into the gym just in time, still brooding over the mess his life had suddenly become. After the first rush of customers had left, Ben motioned him to join him in the office and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Fernando’s breathing sped up, but he managed to keep his voice casual. “Nothing. Just had a bad night with little sleep.”

“Don’t mess with me, Fernando. I know that look. If you’re doing something stupid, you’re out of here right now.” Ben stood like a rock with legs planted at hip-width and arms crossed over his immense chest. That man wasn’t anyone he wanted to mess with.

But hidden inside the threatening stance Fernando knew was a kind man. He didn’t expect mercy or understanding, but if he told his boss the truth, he could at least keep a trace of honor, saving Ben the trouble of having to fire his sorry ass.

“You’re right, man. I’m in deep shit.”

Ben closed his office door and said, “I’m all ears.”

After Fernando finished talking, Ben was quiet for a long time before he finally spoke, “I cannot let you ruin all your hard work. You have to go to the police.”

“What good would that do?” Fernando scoffed. “They won’t believe me.”

“Take your probation officer with you.”

“I’ve been assigned a new one I’ve not even met. Why would he believe me?”

“What about your old probation officer?”

“No idea. She’s unavailable.” Fernando crossed his fingers behind his back telling the white lie. He needed to protect her. Tito and Carlos were loose cannons, and his stomach churned at the thought they might go after her if he betrayed them. “And I can’t rat out my friends to the police.”

“Friends?” Ben laughed dryly, “The kind that kidnaps your sister and threatens to harm her? Wake up and find some real friends, man.”

“You’re right. They haven’t been friends in a long time. They still have my sister…”

“I know how badly you want to save her, but there has to be a different way. I won’t condone you committing a crime. You do it, you’re out of here. Understood?”

Fernando’s shoulders slumped. Against all rational thought, he’d somehow hoped Ben would miraculously make the problem go away. But nobody could help him. He was doomed to go back to his old ways.

“Fernando, I can help you, but only if you decide to do the right thing. Remember, you have to live with the next decision you make for the rest of your life. This might be your only chance to turn your life around.”

Fernando nodded. “I get that. Can I have the rest of the day off?” When Ben agreed, he left and walked aimlessly for over an hour, his despair mounting by the minute. His options were few, and none were good. He wanted to see his sister safe. But he also wanted to stay honest and most of all, he wanted to keep Gwen in his life. He couldn’t imagine a life without her.

After another hour of driving himself crazy, he returned to the gym with sweating palms and his heart beating in his throat. Ben saw him arrive and headed for his office, gesturing to Fernando to followed him.

Fernando swallowed. “Did you really mean it when you said you could help me?”

Ben nodded. “I have some connections…are you asking for my help?”

“Yes. I am.”

“Good.” Ben slapped him on the back and then crossed his office to pick up the phone and placed a call. “I have a problem I need some help with.” He listened for a few moments. “Great. Come to my office when you’re finished.” Ben hung up the phone. “They’re on their way.”

“Who are they?”

“Cops.”

“What? You called the cops?” Fernando all but shouted, icy chills running down his spine.

“Calm down. These guys are cool and probably the only ones who can help your situation.”

A knock on Ben’s door announced their arrival. “That was quick,” Fernando murmured, still pondering whether he should take a chance and run or stay.

“They were in the locker room changing,” Ben said.

Oh!
Fernando hadn’t known that cops trained in the gym. He looked at Ben and a new appreciation for all the man had accomplished was born.

“Guys, sorry to cut your workout short. This is Fernando, and he’s in quite a predicament. Fernando, meet Andy and Craig.”

Fernando stared at the two young men, who looked like any bodybuilder training in here. Late twenties, bulging muscles, tattooed arms, black training shorts and tight muscle shirts. He still couldn’t get his head around the fact they were cops.

Ben invited them to sit at his desk and then left the room. Andy locked the door and turned to Fernando. “We don’t want any visitors.”

His heart missed a beat. It was a trap. Now he would die. Or worse. He felt lightheaded with distrust. He realized his fear of police was as strong as Gwen’s fear of elevators.

Maybe I can conquer mine the way she does hers.