Chapter 37: Chapter 15: A Plan

RICARDO

Waking up today, I’m lying in my bed and I’m pissed at myself. I fucked up big time yesterday and have to make it up today. How can I get her to trust me if I put my hands on her due to jealousy?

I have to show her I’m a better man than Jessie. I throw back the covers and quickly walk into the bathroom to shower. Once done, I stand at the mirror and have a mental chat with myself that I have to be better.

I run into the closet and get dressed, then finish with brushing my hair and teeth. I take one last look at myself before heading downstairs, making sure I don’t fuck this up.

When I enter the kitchen, my mom is standing there, and she clearly looks pissed.

“Cardo, what the hell were you thinking? You grabbed her and choked her! You even left bruises? You didn’t think her family would see that shit!”

“Shut the fuck up, Mom! I know I screwed up! I gotta figure out how to make it up to her.”

“Cardo, you seriously think they will let you around her now? You might as well kiss this year goodbye and figure out something after you graduate. Lay low for now. You go near her again, and you will no doubt be shot on sight.”

“Don’t you think I fucking know that! I know where she lives. Maybe I can figure something out.”

My mom goes to say something in response, but I hold up my hand, signaling I’m done talking about it. I grab a protein bar and head to the front door to leave for school.

I look out the window as we drive, and I can’t help but think about what I did. I hope I didn’t screw this up. I am pulled out of my thoughts when I see the school come into view.

I jump out and can see people looking at me and can hear the whispers. I don’t hear much but do pick out the words ~hurt~ and ~Jocelyn~.

I quickly make my way over to where her locker is and don’t see Kerri or Mary. I do see my guys, and I am starting to panic.

“Where the fuck is she?”

“I don’t know, man, but from what I am hearing her family pulled her out.”

I start pacing back and forth, running my hands through my hair when I start losing it. I grab Carlos by the shirt.

“Are you fucking kidding me? They pulled her out?”

He just nods his head. Okay, okay, I can deal with this. I get my phone out and call Tomas.

“What’s up, Boss.”

“They fucking pulled her out of school. I doubt she is still at her house. Get more men to watch her house and her brother’s apartment. I need eyes everywhere.

“Getting the info from the bar about this Mandy was just being at the right place at the right time. There’s only so many places they will go.

“Have Cane look up all their properties. They are hiding her somewhere. I will find out and when they least expect it, I will get her.”

“Yes, Boss. We are on it.”

I quickly hang up right as the bell rings. Now this year just got a lot more fun. Where are they hiding Jocelyn? An actual cat-and-mouse game.

If I find her and she is with Jessie, I won’t hesitate to fucking kill him. No one touches what is mine! He was warned, so he better pray I don’t find them together.

I just need to make it to the third period before I snap. The day seems to drag on forever. When I get to third period, I see Mary outside class. I catch her walking inside and pull her back out.

“Where the fuck is she, Mary?”

“I don’t know. She texted saying she wasn’t coming back for the year.”

“Bullshit, Mary. Where is your fucking phone?”

“Ricardo, I don’t have it with me.”

“Well, how fucking convenient, huh! If I find out that you know and aren’t telling me, I will blow your fucking brains out. Same with Kerri! Mark my words, bitch.”

I stomp past her into the classroom and sit down, feeling like I am going to explode. I am beyond livid and ready to fuck someone up. They have the nerve to show up at my house threatening me and then hide my girl from me.

She is fucking mine. I will have her even if she doesn’t want to. I can’t stand it anymore and pull out my phone, texting Jocelyn’s number.

Ricardo

Jocelyn, you better tell me where the fuck you are! I swear I will have you, mi amor, and will kill anyone who stands in my way!

After a few minutes, I feel my phone buzzing and walk outside. I see it’s Jocelyn calling back. What a smart girl.

I pick up and I’m greeted by Jessie. After some words are exchanged, I hear a click and a dial tone. I quickly dial back and get a recording. They blocked my number. They are seriously getting on my last fucking nerve.

I go back into class and look straight at Mary. I know she knows. I will have to get them followed. I will find her and then start to put a plan in place.

While the day drags on, I make phone calls in between classes. Still haven’t found her or seen any movement. Where did they take her? At the end of the day, I see Mateo running up to me.

“Mary and Kerri are heading to the park down the street.”

“Okay, let me go see why.”

I run up front and tell my men to hang back but to follow them. We quickly park where we can see them walking over to where an SUV is parked. I recognize Nate’s guys as the driver and passenger.

They hug the girls and open the doors for them to jump in. They quickly drive off as we follow, hanging back to stay out of sight.

Following them, we see them head into the parking lot where the apartment is. Why would her friends go there unless she is there?

We quickly drive away, heading back to my house. I storm in as my mom walks in from the kitchen. As start to pace the floor, my mom comes over to talk.

“Cardo, what’s wrong?”

“They pulled Jocelyn from the school. Her friends were picked up and taken to their old building. I think she is staying there in the loft.

“Plans have changed. I will back off for now, but the moment they make a mistake, we will strike. I’ll grab all four of them and kidnap them all. Teach them to mess with me.”

“Kidnap them all? Are you serious, Cardo?”

I give her a smirk, knowing what I will have to do. But, yes, we will get her.