Rushed(120)

"And he flipped his lid. Great,” he said sarcastically. “So how do we make this right?”

"When you get off the plane, you're going to be greeted by my father and some of his men," I said. "Tomasso, you've got a big problem on your hands. My brother, Eduardo, has been tasked with defending my so-called honor."

Tomasso's smile disappeared, to be replaced by a concerned frown. "Which brother is he?"

"My eldest," I said. "Before you say anything, it's an improvement. My father wanted to shoot you both as soon as you stepped off the plane, though he was probably just speaking in anger when he said that.”

Tomasso looked off-screen and adjusted the tablet camera so that Carlo could see as well. “What does this defending mean?"

"Basically, a duel," I said, sighing. "Eduardo gets to choose the style of the duel, which will be Vale tudo."

"Vale tudo?" Carlo asked. “What’s that?”

"It's a no rules, no weapons fight," Tomasso said.

I nodded. "It's the only way I could think of that would let both of you walk away relatively uninjured . . . I hope. It’s stupid, but if you refuse, they’ll probably have you tied up and give you a good beating, which would probably be even worse. Tomasso, your leg . . .”

"I know," he said, nodding. "I know. Luisa, you did the right thing. You don’t want your brother seriously hurt, and I'd like to keep living too. All right. Thanks for the heads up. Anything else you can tell me about your brother?"

"He knows about your ankle," I said, thinking. “But that may work in your favor. Eduardo prides himself on being honorable, and he probably won’t try to take advantage of it."

"All right. Well, that gives me about three hours to think. One more thing . . . will you be at the airport?"

I shrugged. "I have no idea. Tomasso, be careful."

He smirked, the same casual smirk that had at first infuriated me before working its way into my heart and finally stealing it. "Of course I won't be careful. I love you, Luisa."

"I love you too. I will try to be there."

There was a knock at the door, and my father came in. "Have you told him?"

"Yes. We were just saying our goodbyes," I said. I waved at the screen, where Tomasso mouthed I love you once more before hanging up. I stood up and looked at my father. "They have a request."

"Which is?"

"That I go with you to the airport. No offense, but when you get emotional, you become difficult for them to understand. I don’t think I need to explain the consequences a misunderstanding with the Bertolis could cause. I’m not talking about just losing a business partner here . . .”

Sure, it was a stretch on things, but I figured it couldn’t hurt. He considered the idea, then nodded. “Whatever. I would’ve spared you the sight, but maybe you’ll find some kind of satisfaction in watching your brother punish this man. Go get dressed. You’re hardly fit to greet our . . . guests."

He dismissed me with a gesture, and I returned to my room. Looking around, I thought as I started to change my clothes—I hoped that Dad was going to be satisfied with a little brawl. I rubbed my temples and saw something on my desk that set me thinking. Hurriedly, I emptied out my backpack and replaced the contents with some necessities. If my plan was to work, I might only have moments to put it into place. If that meant I had to leave Brazil with my passport, a change of underwear, and nothing else, so be it.

My preparations ready, I sat down on my bed and closed my eyes. Prayer had helped a little bit before, giving me at least a chance to talk to Tomasso. Maybe a little bit more couldn't hurt.





Chapter 21





Tomasso





I’d expected the temperature to be cool when I stepped off the plane in Porto Alegre. After all, it was supposed to be the height of winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and Porto Alegre is capital of the southernmost state in Brazil. Instead, what greeted me was warmer than the weather that I'd left behind in Seattle, and a lot muggier too. Part of me, the part that enjoyed being a college student in Alabama, rejoiced. The weather was a welcome reminder of my time near the Gulf Coast. Another part of me, the part that knew I was about to be in a brawl in just a few minutes with a hurt leg, recoiled. I wasn't in prime condition, even with the rehabilitation I'd been putting in, and the heat and humidity would sap my strength even further.

The first thing that I saw were the half-dozen men spread out in a rough line outside the hangar we pulled up in front of. Four of them were obviously enforcers, with their weapons clearly displayed. They were carrying M-16 carbine derivatives, plenty of gun for shooting up a couple of men and a plane. One of the others I couldn't identify, but he was about my age, and tall, at least six foot two, although he looked to be less bulky than me.

The final man, the one in the middle, I knew was Guillermo Mendosa, who had a grim look on his face and was dressed in a white tropical-style suit. Standing next to him was Luisa, who commanded my attention with her beauty and by the fact that she was the only person in the whole group who was smiling. Her eyes widened when she saw that I wasn't using my cane before she cocked an eyebrow, understanding what I was doing. If I had to fight her brother, then I needed to show as little weakness as possible.