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Chapter 48-Hate & Love
Letty's POV
My father and I sat in the cemetery for hours talking. He confessed all of his sins to me as if his life depended on it. He confessed his drinking problem and how it had controlled most of his life. I watched him cry as he explained what he done to my sister. I found myself silently weeping as he went through over the ordeal.
He explained how he never meant to hurt her. He felt like some demons had taken over his body and he couldn't stop what they set on doing. When she cried out and begged for him to stop hurting her, he said he only heard the screams of the demons. They wouldn't stop until they succeeded in hurting so many people, his own daughter being one of them. He said he had nightmares of only Sasha screaming and crying. When she turned ten years old, he decided enough was enough. Too late fucker, I thought to myself. He said he left the house for a few months to get his problems sorted out. He moved back to his mother's house in Compton and tried to figure out how to make up for the shit he had done. He described how he came back in time for Tony to be born, which he was unhappy about for the first few years.
"I tried to kill myself plenty times," he said, pulling the arm up on his long-sleeved shirt. Scratches and scars maimed his wrists and forearms.
I looked away from his arm, not wanting to let anymore emotion show. Even though this was my biological father, the man I had never met in my life, he was still the enemy.
"You still didn't answer my question," he looked at me with confused eyes, "did you not have anything to do with giving me up all those years ago? Or was it all my mother?" I stood from the bench. He followed my actions.
He sighed and focused his eyes on mine. I felt like I was being stared at under a microscope. He made me feel so small; no man had even done that. Not even Dominic.
"It was my decision-" I didn't let him finish before I connected a right-hook to his jaw. It was instinct. This was the bastard that made me leave my real home. Who sent me away from my real family. He rubbed his jaw, then nodded. "I deserved that," he said.
"Leticia, you have to understand. I was working at The Racer's Edge and your mother had that job in the church and we weren't bringing in the income to support another kid. I already had one and with Tony on the way, we had to do something," he said, walking away once he realized he let something slip.
"What did you just say? What do you mean by 'already had one'? You mean there's another kid out there?" I fired out questions to his back. I was beyond pissed. I didn't think this fucked up reunion could get any worse.
"Yes, there is. I had a son about the same time Tony was born. I never told your mother because she would have left me. I couldn't have lost her because she was all I had. But I made a stupid mistake and got a woman pregnant. But like I said, we ran out of options. Most of the income I had from Harry's was split up for my son and you guys. I told Maria to just let you stay with your aunt Janice for a few months until I can find another job to help get cash," Marcus said, pacing back and forth.
After he told me he had another child, my whole nervous system shut off. His words were just background noise to the frenzy that was going on in my mind. There was another Rodriguez out there. Not my full brother, but yet, my brother. I had to find him. I wasn't going to invite him to live with us, I'm sure he had his own life. But I wanted to make sure he knew he had other family out there. I don't understand how Marcus went through his whole life with another child and never told Maria. Hell, or even the kids. He kept it a secret. That heated me up even more. I knew he was trying to apologize for everything he had ever done in his life, but it didn't make up for the pain he had caused. Especially to my mom and Sasha.
"Leticia, you there?" I snapped out of my thoughts and stared at Marcus.
"What was your problem with Tony?" I asked, remembering him mention he didn't get along with my younger brother.
He sighed and ran his hands over his gray, scruffy beard. I smiled as it reminded me a lot of Vince's. Minus the gray color.
"After you and Sasha, I didn't want anymore children. Not only did I have to provide for you girls and my other son, but I had to support yet another child. Now, I loved your brother, no doubt about it. But my life would've been a lot easier if your mother hadn't had him," once again, I connected a right-hook to his face. My hand was becoming red and puffy, but he's picking all the wrong things to say.
"Can you quit it with that?" he begged, rubbing his jaw. He had already suffered a black eye, and now a swollen jaw.
"Have some fucking respect will ya? He's your son for Christ sakes!" I yelled, my anger resurfacing.
"Not according to him or Sasha. He barely spoke more than ten words to me and Sasha threatened me to stay away from him or she'd slit my throat. I guess we never had that father/son relationship."
"I'd say," I mumbled.
xxx
Brian's POV
I took a break from working under and car and walked out of the garage. The store wasn't open today, for all the ladies were busy with other things. Dom wasn't too happy about it, but he had more on his plate at the time. I walked a few blocks to the local corner store to get me something to eat. Once I arrived, I noticed a group of boys surrounding two girls. As I got closer, I noticed who the young girls were.
"Yo! Is there a problem here?" I yelled, stepping over to the girls. All of the boys backed away, except one - the leader.
"Just making sure these girls are still living up to our little bet," the Asian said, smirking at Chrystal.
"Fuck you asshole!" Chrys yelled, launching her body at him. I jumped just in time to grab her. I stood in front of her, toe-to-toe with their leader.
"Look, you have your race two days from now. Until then, I don't wanna see you around them. Get out of here before I call the cops alright," I yelled, not stepping down from the teen. He stared intently at Jayden and Chrys, his friends sneering, then backed away.
"Be ready to have your asses handed to ya," I shivered at his words for they were all too familiar. I heard those words the night my life turned into hell.
The Asians jumped into their cars and peeled out of the store lot. I shook my head and walked in the store, Chrys and Jayden following.
"You girls find trouble everywhere you go?" I questioned to no one in particular as I walked over to the chips and cakes section.
"Usually," Jayden replied casually. I couldn't help but smile. She was beginning to let loosen up around me more and more. I expect someone informed her on my police personality because she was usually quiet around me.
"So whatcha doing around here Bri? Aren't you supposed to be at the garage?" Chrys asked, grabbing a few things off the shelf.
"Um, I needed a break. It's burning up in the garage. Plus, I'm hungry," I tossed a bright smile over my shoulder at them as I approached the counter. I sat a bag of Doritos and a honey bun on the countertop. Chrys smiled and sat a bag of gummy worms and a Minute Maid apple juice on the counter, Jayden a bag Hershey's Kisses. "My treat," I said sarcastically.
When we walked back to the garage, I stopped the girls before we went inside.
"Let's not mention this to anyone okay?" I asked, knowing it'd just cause everyone to be pissed off.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Chrys rolled her eyes playfully as they both walked into the garage.
I pulled out my cell phone and took a seat up against the building. I punched in Jimmy's cell number and took a deep breath.
"Bullet, what's good man?"
"Hey Jimmy, how's everything bro?" I was glad to hear some enthusiasm in his voice.
"I don't really know man. Tej is alright, he woke up this morning, but I'm still worried about Carter," his enthusiasm was long gone. I could hear the panic in his tone.
"Relax man. Are you at the hospital now?"
"Yeah, you wanna talk to Tej?"
"Yeah, put him on," I waited for the exchange.
"C'mon doc, I'm ready to be out this bitch. And can I get another shot of morphine please? I can definitely feel the pain you said I wouldn't. Oh my bad, what up Brian?"
"Not shit. See you still giving doctors a hard time eh?" I asked laughingly.
"You know it. It's been one helluva week so far."
"I heard. How ya feeling man?" I asked, seriousness in my voice.
"Like I got shot three times. Man, Carter sent his boys in and bum rushed my ass. Didn't even see it coming. One of them, he had a really bad mole on his face-"
"Oh Enrique?"
"Yeah, him. He said to keep out of Carter's business or he'd finish the job himself. The other dude-"
"Roberto."
"Yeah. He said to warn you. Said Carter has a surprise for you and the Team. I dunno Brian, I say watch your back," Tej said, his typical confidence temporarily diminishing.
"Yeah man, thanks for the heads up. You scared the shit out of us over here ya know."
"Sorry man. Hey, how's Diana? She okay? And Jessica? How are they man?" I could hear the love he had for these two ladies. It made me sad to see he'd never be with the one he wanted.
"Hold you, you can ask her," I stood from the ground and jogged inside the garage. I found Diana sitting with Jessica on the couch in the back of the garage. "Phone," was all I said, holding out my cell. She gave me a puzzled look.
"Hello? - Oh my gosh are you okay? - Tej, now's not the time for jokes. - How are you feeling? - I'm good, Jessi's good too. We miss you Tej Parker. - I love ya Tej, stay safe. - I'll tell them, bye," she closed my cell and handed it to me.
"Everyone, Tej says 'hey' and 'not to worry.' Brian, he says to call him later and you'll talk about Tokyo," I nodded and took back from her, "thanks Bri." I smiled and nodded.
xxx
Dominic's POV
I laid on the couch, one hand over my face as the twins came running down the stairs. Leon picked all the children up from school and dropped them off at the Aunt Leslie's house. I picked up the twins on my way home from the garage and sent them to their room. They didn't take it personal; they knew I wasn't feeling too well.
Maybe Sasha was right. I should just give Letty some time to think about what she wants to do with the kid. I know Letty wouldn't make this decision just for her own well-being; she'd do it for the family. I was still worried that she hadn't arrived home yet. I had no idea where she could've been. If I went out searching for her, that'd just piss her off more. I sighed and sat up on the sofa.
"Casey! Elijah! Get down here," I called, needing some company. They bounded down the stairs and ran over to the couch.
"Yes Daddy?" Casey asked, sitting down on the right of me. Eli jumped on the sofa on my left, a toy car in his hand.
"What do you guys think about a baby brother or sister?" I asked, wanting to get their intake on the situation.
"Brother! And I hope mommy doesn't wait long," Elijah said, not looking up from his car. I ruffled his curly locks and turned to Casey.
"What about you CJ? You want another kid around here?"
"Uh huh," Casey was usual one for small talk.
Just as I was about to question them further, the front door opened, revealing an angry Letty. I sent the children back up to their room with hope to get through to Letty. She was soaked from the rain that poured outside. I glanced at the clock that hung above the kitchen door. 8:35 p.m. She strode by me to the kitchen. I took a deep breath and followed.
"Where were you?" I mentally slapped myself for letting my first words reveal my over-protective personality. Much to my surprise, she didn't yell.
"I went to see some old friends. I met a really interesting one. Boy, wasn't he a character," I watched her put ice on her right hand. She grabbed the First Aid kit from the top shelf and pulled out a bandage.
"What happened to your hand?" I asked, walking over to her. I took it in my hand before she wrapped it up. It was definitely swollen. She winced at my touch.
"The interesting character I told you about? Yeah, well he has a way with words," she replied, sarcasm clear in his words. She took her hand from mine and wrapped it in the bandage. She grabbed a cold Corona from the fridge and walked back into the living room. I followed.
"Letty where were you? I spent the whole afternoon worried about you," I figured I'd leave the constant crying out of the conversation. She flopped down on the sofa, kicking her feet up on the coffee table. It was obvious she was upset and trying to hide it.
"I met a man today Dominic. He was brutally honest, but an asshole at the same time," she said, staring blankly ahead. She avoided my question liked the plague. I sat down next to her. I looked at her and for the first time in our lives, I couldn't read her.
"Leticia, tell me what happened? Who did you meet?" I asked.
"My father," she said, her tone icy. My breath caught in my throat.
"Letty, baby, you're father is dead. He died more than twenty years ago," I said, rubbing my hands over her hair.
"No, Daddy is dead. My father is very much alive," I crumbled my eyebrows in confusion. I sat back against the sofa and thought hard. Suddenly, it came to me. I sat up quickly.
"You saw him? Where? Did he do this to you?" My anger flared.
"Dominic, calm down. But yes, I saw him," she took a sip of her beer. She offered it to me. I grabbed it and took a swig, sitting it down on the table. "He-he was so much like me Dom. I saw myself in every fiber of him. The eyes, the attitude, the tears. Everything," I noticed a tear creep down her cheek and wiped it away quickly. I sat and listened to her speak. "He told me everything Dominic. Everything about Sasha, everything about Maria, everything about Tony. He told me everything," Letty's tears became my frequent as she silent wept about her biological father. "I hate him. I hate him so much Dom," I pulled her to me and rubbed her back while she cried. "I love him so much at the same time. I hate him, but I love him," she cried into my chest. I fought back the tears that came to my eyes.
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Sorry for the wait, but there's 48. Please read&review friends!
-Kita