Chapter 11: A picture is priceless
POV: Shelby
We were both freaked out about the meet. I got off Tito's bike and Marta followed my lead. We walked in like we were going to Sunday dinner. The first thing I notice is Tia Amelia isn't there and neither are the kids. Tio Marcos is in the living room. He signals the guys to leave except Tito. This is not good. He hugs us and asked if we salvaged anything from the run. I hand him the money. He's pleased to see it all there, but he counted it. He has never needed to count any of the collections I've given him. The trust is fading. He knows. I'm trying not to panic but I feel cornered. I want to put my hand on my gun but that will only inspire a bad reaction. Tio Marcos just looks at us; he gleams from me to Marta, almost like he's playing innie meanie minie moe in his head.
"There just a few things we need to clear up." He stops in front of Marta and back hands her. She falls. I charge and Tito is on me. "Like why you let those bitches live? You fucked up. You only killed one. And
now I have my hand forced." He pulls Marta up by her hair and throws her into the wall. I think Marta's in shock. We've been knocked around by Uncle Marcos but not like this. He walks towards her.
"Stop! Tio! We were outnumbered! We did what we could! We protected the money and came back with it! Don't punish her! She had no choice but to kill that bitch! They want Mayan territory and to knock you down! We stood up for the family!" I pleaded. He looks like he considers it for a moment.
"You're right, mi'ja…I shouldn't just punish her." With that he punches me in the stomach. Tito holds me still for the next blow. "Tell me now where you standing up for this family when you were on your backs for SAMCRO. Putas! " He slings photos at me and Marta, pictures of us on the bikes with the guys, kissing them, laughing. We look so happy in those shots. We look normal. He signals Tito he drops me into the floor. He walks over to Marta and drags her by the hair. He drops her next to me. Tio Marcos squats down and looks at us.
"You've disappointed me and this family. You're off the runs until further notice. I'm gonna let that idiot cousin of yours take it on. I was mistaken in thinking bitches could be trusted. Most insulting is that you turned on your own. Of all Eses, you both get into bed with the Sons." He spits at us. We keep our mouths shut for self -preservation. I've watched him do this before. Getting up and talking back will get us shot or worse. All I wanted to do is stab Tito and knock my Uncle to the ground. We're not kids anymore. We have rights. But in his world, men do, not women.
"What's going to happen now is that I'm going to have to patch over these bitches to secure a peace treaty. I can't afford a war. And after what happened with Salazar before, Calavares have been lighting their candles to the Virgen de Guadalupe for an opportunity like this. "
"Tu, Marta, are going to be ears over there. You killed a patched member, an officer. The President is willing to over -look it because he's got a thing for you. Let's hope he doesn't find out about your indiscretion. Your lightening boy, that Ese had his cut taken from the Calavares. I gave it back to him.! He's a bitch ass punk. " He grabs Marta by the arm and flings her out the door. "Get her cleaned up. We have a meeting in 2 hours."
He shuts the door. "Y tu, Shelby? I used to think of you as a son. How can you sink so low?" His tone as changed, fatherly almost. "Do you know what happens to SAMCRO old ladies? One was shot in the back of the head in a drive by, another kidnapped twice- Calavares and the Galindo Cartel, she got hurt bad, one whoring herself in porn, another used like a piñata and killed, and the former president's old lady- beaten so bad she was unrecognizable. Rumor is she was gang raped- retaliation. You think I want that for you or your sister? " He picks up a picture off the floor of me and Happy. We're laughing in the picture. He has his arms around me. I don't know how he got these pictures. But it's someone that wanted us out of his good graces. They've succeeded. "Do you know what he does? He's their Tito. " He nods and flips the picture back to the floor. "He's using you to hurt this family, they both are."
I shake my head no. "May I speak, Tio?
"Si."
"They don't know who we are. But if it wasn't for them we would have ended up like those Old Ladies. Calavares wasn't going to leave us alive. They were going to steal from you. I don't know how it happened but we both want to be with them. We don't want to lose each other, or you, or this family. I have too much respect for you to lie; my heart is in Charming. We've always done what you've asked. Maybe down the line we'll regret this but for now this is what it is." He stares at me. My body tightens because I see his disappointment turn back to anger. He's going to beat me senseless and I can't raise my hand back at Uncle. He kept us afloat after our dad died, and mom drown drunk in the river.
"You're too young to understand a lot. What I do is for your own good. You will not live with him again. This rebellion is over. Don't force my hand anymore." He voice is calm but straining. He offers his hand for me to get up and I take it. He walks me to the door and tells Gordo to stick to me like white on rice. He forbids any phone communication or interaction with family members especially Marta.
What am I going to do? How are we going to get back to Charming? Once we leave, there is not turning back.