Chapter 337

Elena “I’m here to make it up to you.” He spoke. “I’m ready to listen to you, trust you-and I’m ready to take you home.”

Not knowing what else to do, I took a step back and shook my head. “N-no.” I breathed, looking dad in his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere-I’m not!”

“Elena-

“I’m not.”

“Just hear us out, please.” Alex jumped in. He didn’t raise his voice, he didn’t look at me the wrong way. and it almost seemed as if he was afraid I could run out any second. “Please.” He pleaded.

I folded my arms and looked at Lucas, who shrugged his shoulders.

How the hell did he get involved anyway?

That’s what I would like to know.

“You know what, I’ll hear you guys out-but that’s it. I spoke before hearing three relieved sighs.

As promised, I sat beside Lucas with dad and Alex on the opposite side. My previous thoughts, occupied with Marvin’s terrifying persona, had suddenly vanished.

What was up with these three, and why were they together?

Perhaps to take down Marvin?

Or maybe it was nothing other than a scheme to take me home?

Deep down, I knew I had to go back at one point. I knew that that was the sacrifice I had to make to keep Marvin safe-but now was not the time.

Lucas cleared his throat, carefully nudging my shoulder. “So, do you want something to eat?”

“No,” I answered dryly. “Just get it over with and start talking.”

Alex and Lucas shot each other a look before moving their gaze to dad. “So I suppose I’ll do the talking” His lips curled as they always would whenever he used to speak rubbish.

He took a breath. “So it all started when Lucas showed up at our doorsteps.”

Without missing a single detail, dad went through every little thing while Alex and Lucas filled in the missing pieces whenever necessary.

He spoke about Lucas’ mom, their deal to take down Mario in exchange for Marvin, and his ultimate planı to bring me back home.

The way those words left his mouth, as if he hadn’t expected it to go any other way, scared me.

After all this time, he still hadn’t learned anything and was out to control my life. The only difference? This time he was of value to me.

“Do you really think I’m going to keep my mouth shut and let you throw Marvin back to prison?” I blinked, startled, but dad shook his head.

“No.” He sulked. “But after hearing Lucas’ theory, I believe Marvin had nothing to do with Stevie and was merely covering for someone,” Dad spoke. “Just give me that person’s name, come back home-and we’ll leave everything behind us.”

The blank expression on my face did not mean a thing, as my thoughts were with Tiago. Hearing dad was not after Marvin anymore was supposed to make me feel happy, but knowing how much Tiago meant to his elder brother didn’t change much.

Lucas, who sat beside me, shifted uncomfortably. He was not only a detective but also Tiago’s brother. It wasn’t difficult for him to complete the puzzle.

“I know he didn’t do it because I told you all along-but I’m afraid I can’t help you-

“Marvin not doing any of these things doesn’t make him a better person.” Dad spat. “He’s still a monster, a killer-and I’m allowing you to do this the easy way.”

He’s still a monster, a killer.

I was well aware.

“Come on, Elena.” Dad changed his tone, begging me to give him an answer. “Just tell me, please. I know you want to.

I did want to.

I wanted all of this to be over.

“V-Victoria.” My mouth moved before I could even process what I was saying. “I gave her a USB which should take down the person responsible for this, so you don’t need to get involved.”

“And what’s on it?” Dad asked, completely unfazed about my investigation. Of course, he knew me well enough that I could not sit back and watch while he dragged Marvin’s name through the mud.

“Who’s on it?”

Lucas, who had been awfully quiet, fastened his breaths and lowered his head. “It’s Tiago, isn’t it?”

He spoke up. “You’re trying to protect him, aren’t you?”

I was left speechless as dad looked at me with big eyes, waiting for confirmation. I hadn’t expected Lucas to rat out his brother.

“Someone put him up to this, right?” Lucas asked. I ignored him and searched for dad’s eyes, ensuring he would feel my sincerity.

“Dad, you can’t hurt him. He was just a kid who didn’t know any better and followed orders.” I stood up for Tiago. “Whatever you’re feeling now, you can’t hurt him-please.”

Dad looked anywhere but my eyes and shrugged me off. “Who put him up to this?” He asked. “Tell me.”

No.

“No?” Dad widened his eyes while Alex tried calming him down. “What do you mean, no?”

“No, as in no,” I repeated. “I’ll give you the name and after all of this is over, I’ll come back home and cut off all contact with all Castillos, including Marvin,” I told him. “But you need to promise me one thing.”

I closed my eyes, praying he would accept my request. “I need you to only go after the person responsible.

I need you to let go of your hatred towards The Castillos, and I need you to spare Tiago’s life.”

“And if I do all of that, you’ll really come back home?”

“You have my word. All you have to do is promise me “I promise,” Dad spoke, reaching for my hand. I slowly opened my eyes as he stared right back at me. “Whatever it takes to get you back, I promise.”

Trusting his words might’ve been the biggest risk in this situation, but I just had to trust him. I didn’t have much choice, and if anyone could do something about it, it was dad.

“It was Panther,” I spoke. “Only him.”

The table went silent. Dad, Lucas, and Alex all looked at each other, waiting for whoever spoke first.

“Pedro Vidal?” Dad eventually opened his mouth, widening his eyes. He didn’t seem shocked at all.

“Yes,” I confirmed. “I haven’t known for that long. It all started a few weeks ago.”

Like that, I told everyone my version of the story and gave a detailed explanation. I told them about Panther’s weird behavior and Tiago’s words, with the only thing left out is the events of today.

“He has been threatening you?” Dad balled his fist. Even without telling him about what Panther had done today, he was furious-so I could only imagine.

“Don’t worry, dad, I’m fine-”

“I’ll kill him!” He slammed his fist on the table, his eyes looking dark and dangerous. In this case, violence was the answer, and I wanted Panther to get what he deserved—but that would take some time.

“So, how long do we have to wait for that stick?” Alex interfered. “We can’t mess this up, dad.”

“We don’t have to wait long,” I told him. “I’m sure Victoria is on it.” I hoped.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, certain,” I said. “Dad, you can’t do anything crazy. I’m fine, and I have..Lucas.”

Lucas, who had been quiet for a while, reached for dad’s hand and squeezed him. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to her.” I could sense guilt in his voice. “You have my word.”

“Why?” Dad sighed, dropping his head. He pulled back his hand from Lucas, “Why, what?”

“Why would you protect the person that pulled the trigger and murdered Stevic?”

Lucas shook his head, stuttering. He felt the same way about Tiago as I did. He didn’t want to betray his brother, and I could understand him, “George-

Tiago already paid for his mistakes.” I jumped in. Between Anya’s death, his ongoing anxiety, and Marvin’s reaction when he would finally find out his younger brother betrayed him-there was no way Tiago would walk free.

“Now that we’re on the subject.” The thought suddenly occurred to me.” I really think we should investigate Anya’s murder-because no matter how much I think about it, I just can not believe the Hernandez was responsible.”

“Danny was framed for Stevie’s murder, but that’s not a reason to execute Anya.” Lucas agreed.

“Because of Marvin, Danny got stabbed, but the Hernandez still didn’t do a thing.”

Dad tapped his finger on the table. “Do you think Pedro was behind that too?”

“He might.” Alex gave his opinion. “Panther is always with Marvin, and strangely enough, he wasn’t there when it happened.” He said. “But Elena-you were there.”

The flashbacks of that night still gave me nightmares, and it wasn’t something I liked thinking about.

Holding Anya in my arms while she was choking on her own blood was terrifying.

Dad, Lucas, and Alex all stared at me, waiting for me to speak up. “It didn’t look like that guy was after Anya,” I spoke, recalling that night.

“But right before she…” I stammered. “I actually think she recognized the man.”

“Are you sure?” Dad asked.

“I’m not…” I said. “Let’s just wait for Victoria.”

“Yes.” Lucas agreed. “It’s probably for the best.”

A sigh escaped from dad’s lips as he looked at Lucas in sympathy as if he felt sorry for him.”What?”

“Nothing. You would have such a nice future ahead of you.” Dad breathed. “If only you weren’t a Castillo.” He shared his backhanded compliment.

“If only.” Lucas chuckled. “Crazy, isn’t it?”

After hearing Lucas got close to the Castillos on purpose to destroy his family, I believed for it to be true- but now I wasn’t that sure anymore.

He was only after Panther and was put on protecting Tiago and Marvin.

Was he slowly getting used to having a family?

“I’ll have to take her back now.” Lucas looked at his phone. “Marvin, send me a text.”

A wave of anxiety washed over me as I wondered why Marvin needed to communicate with his brother. I got into Lucas’ car without explaining, and he never asked anything.

One word about Marvin’s actions and dad would’ve dragged me home.

“What did he say?”

“He asked if we were together because someone saw you getting in my car.” Lucas chuckled, getting up from the chair.

“Is everything okay?” Dad stuck his nose in my business. Being raised by a DEA agent meant controlling my facial expression, especially since Alex and Dad always had the urge to see through my lies.

“Y-yes, I just promised to get home early so we could spend some time.” I knew I messed up but hoped dad wouldn’t give any mind to it.

“After all of this is over-you’ll come back home, right?” He asked as if he was onto me, but he didn’t drag on the subject.