A/N:special shout out to anonomously awesome for the review!
Ch 9 Gangsters Paradise
Death ain't nuthin but a heartbeat away. I'm livin life do-or-die-a, what can I say? -Coolio
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Diego:
I walk out to the front yard and just pace, trying not to phase. I really don't want them in my head, let alone Gage bitching at me. I feel my phone buzz in my
pocket and look at my text. You'll come back if you value your life and the life of your hermanitas – Esteban. Well I guess I'm decided. Back to California
it is. I'm right back to my old life. Never knowing if today is the day I'm going to be the one on the news in the body bag or not. I sit on the porch step with my
head in my hands. How am I going to tell Ray and Linah? They have to stay here. I can't drag them into this with me. This place is good for them. I have to go
pack. I stand up angrily and punch one of the columns hearing a light crack in the wood. I take a deep breath trying to maintain my anger enough to pack my
things. I walk in the house trying not to make eye contact with everyone making my way to my room. "Diggy what are you doing? You have that loco look in your
eye. Are you leaving?" Ray says following behind, but I shut the door in her face. I change and pack. I open my door to see Reina crying in front of it. "You are
leaving! I knew it DIEGO! Why do you always choose them over your family?" She sobs punching my chest. "Is that what you think I do nina? I am choosing my
family Reina! Todo lo que hago es para esta familia (everything I do is for this family)! I was out on the street everyday trying to make money for this family!
All those times you bitched at me for staying out late, coming home bleeding, it was so this family wouldn't go hungry. Who gave you and mamá money for
clothes, for food? Who payed the rent? Since I was twelve I provided this family everything they needed. I sacrificed my life more times than you can imagine for
this family. Nunca he convertido mi es palda a esta familia (I have never turned my back on this family) Don't you ever say I choose them over you! Si me
quedo matará usted y Linah. (If I stay they will kill you and Linah). It's my life for the both of yours. It's a good deal hermanita and I already agreed." I say
yelling at first then softening trying to make her see. "No there has to be some other way." Reina sobs into my chest.
.
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The pack and their families are all staring silently at me. I know they all heard everything I said a few minutes ago. Linah is crying in Tia's arms. Tia walks over
to me with a sympathetic look and hands me the little girl. "You don't have to do this. We can hold them off. You can stay and the girls won't be harmed." Tio
says firmly. I appreciate the offer but the Diablos won't ever stop. They will find a way, even against a pack of wolves. "Thank you Tio, but I got into this and I
will deal with the consequences." I say evenly nodding my head. I look to Rowen and she's crying. I don't know why but my heart clenches. I want to go over and
just hold her, but I can't. I have to leave soon and I have to say my goodbyes. "It was nice meeting all of you. Thank you for letting me stay here Tio, Tia Ash.
Thank you for looking after Reina and Malinah." I say to the group then shaking Tio and Ash's hand and Tia pulls me into a tight hug. I turn to Ray.
"No lloran. Ser fuerte para linah. Mantener la familia unida, que son el pegamento hermanita. No importa lo que me pasa que ambos tien en que
cuidarse de los demás. No te preocupes por mí. Saben que yo siempre estoy pensando en usted. Prometo que llamaré cuando puedo y enviar
dinero. Lo haremos a través de este." (Don't cry. Be strong for Linah. Keep this family together, you are the glue little sister. No matter what happens to me
you both have to watch out for each other. Don't worry about me. Know that I am always thinking about you. I promise I'll call when I can and send money. We
will make it through this.)" I say steadily wiping her tears and grabbing her in a big hug. I turn to Linah picking her up. "Linah, I have to go away for a while.
You're going to stay with Ray and Tia while I'm gone. You be good for them, make sure Ray doesn't worry too much. Lo siento nina" I say as the little girl
clutches onto me crying loudly. "Shhh, come on Linah. You have to be a big girl for me ok? No more tears. No mas. Everything's gunna be all right. I have to go
nina." I say kissing her forehead and handing her to Reina. I walk out the door and head to the car in the pouring rain. I pull out of the driveway and see my
family in the rearview mirror, knowing that I may never see them again.
A/N: You know you love this song. Do you think Diggy/Diego did the right thing?