Chapter seventy seven

OLIVER

The main reason Alberto Castillo lost his company was his nonchalant behavior and his lack of priority. How he was able to acquire such fortune and managed to keep it for so long only to lose it in the blink of an eye was still a big mystery to me.

Although, now I was certain he didn't keep his company afloat all these years by doing legal activities. Just like Ronan's pharmaceutical industry, Alberto's company was never the main source of his wealth. It was simply a cover up for all the illegal things he does.

Must give it to the man, he sure knows how to keep a low profile.

“I swear, I don't know where Papa is. I haven't seen or spoken to him in months.” Mason Castillo said for what seems to be the millionth times in the last hour. He was obviously still drunk, and probably frustrated with how we interrupted his sexual activity

Mason might have inherited a lot of his father's qualities which includes, gambling, womanizing, partying hard, etcetera. But he surely didn't possess his father's ability to lay low and blend.

Ethan managed to track the person who visited Jason in jail just before he attempted suicide. The man turns out to be one of Alberto's errand boys. The dagger tattoo on the man's neck, peeking out of his shirt gave him out. It was easy to figure out where he got the tattoo from and what it meant.

Maybe I'll give Alberto some pointers on how to run a secret gang when he finally shows up. Or maybe not. Depends on if he decided to cooperate with me and give me informations I needed, or not. He knows better than to call me bluff and not come out of hiding.

“Shut your fucking mouth. I swear, I wouldn't ask nicely the next time you open it. I'll fucking shatter your jaws.” Ethan threatened, a dangerous look in his eyes.

Did I mention my cousin enjoys this aspect of interrogation? I didn't have to ask Ethan before he jumped on the opportunity to torture Mason. Apparently, he had a personal grudge to settle. And i know my cousin well to know he holds grudges.

Mason glared at Ethan, but he had the good sense to keep his mouth shut. I wish he hadn't. I would really love see him with a shattered jaw. I still haven't forgiven him for what he tried to do to Dallas a few months ago. My fingers itched to throw my knife at him again but I refrained myself.

“Just pray ‘Daddy’ gets here on time. This one here–” I said, pointing to Ethan “--has a patience of a rabid dog. One more word from you and he'll follow through with his threat. I don't exactly like you so I'll gladly watch.”

“Wow, what a great review from you, dearest cousin. Thank you so much. You should post that on Yelp.” Ethan said, sarcasm dripping in his voice.

Alberto had gone into hiding not long after the news of Jason's arrest was released. I only knew about it when I sort him out. I was certain he hadn't left New York, but he sure knows how to hide.

Normally, I would have prolonged the search and give him the satisfaction of thinking he had successfully evaded me. Then I'd capture him when he finally comes out of hiding.

But after spending twenty four hours looking for the old man, my patience had thinned out. I couldn't waste anymore time. I needed to be with Dallas.

She had barely spoken to me since we left the cemetery two days ago. She had only left her room a handful of times. At least she wasn't refusing to eat. She's allowing Heather into her room. And I overheard her talking to Lisa on the phone when I went to check on her earlier today.

I didn't expect her to just go back to normal after everything that happened, but the silence was killing me. I can't help but wonder what she was thinking and how to help her. I just wished she'd let me in and not go through it alone. But I'm probably the last thing she needs right now.

So I decided to focus on something else. Drawing Alberto out. And the little Castillo was the perfect bait. Luckily for me, the little Castillo was ignoring his father for cutting him financially. He was unaware of the mess his father was in or that he was in hiding.

It was very easy to find Mason. As expected, he was fucking and drinking away his sorrow in one of his vacation house uptown.

Ethan and I walked in on him fucking a blonde from behind. The image of his naked body is something I never want to see again. I don't understand how some girls can tolerate the sight of it.

“You have a terrible taste in liquor, Castillo.” Ethan said, crunching his nose in disgust. He gently set down the glass in his hand.

I didn't even realize he had moved to the other side of the room. Mason muttered something under his breath.

“Can't hear you over here, daddy's boy. You have to speak louder.” Ethan said and moved to another bottle of liquor. He held it up as if studying it.

“Look, I don't know why you're doing this. I've done nothing to you. Papa won't looking for me if that's what you're holding out for. Now can you stop being an asshole and let me go?” Mason said, trying to feign anger when he's shaking with fear.

“I’m not being an asshole. Yet. Wanna see how much of an asshole I can be?” Ethan asked, an unhinged look in his eyes.

“Ethan,” I warned.

“You never let me have any fun,” he muttered before returning to examine the liquor.

I ignored him and turned to Mason.

“You clearly underestimate your father's love for you. He will come.” I said with certainty.

As if on cue, the doorbell rang.

“Seems our guest has arrived.” I smirked.

Ethan went to open the door and Alberto walked in. His eyes landed on Mason and he released a breath. He kept his eyes on his son, probably not trusting that we haven't hurt him.

“No escorts? How sad. I expected a dramatic entry.” I clicked my tongue as if I was truly dissapointed.

“You said to come alone, and I did. Although I don't know why you insist on seeing me and even going after my son. I thought we settled our business interactions months ago.” He said, keeping his voice steady.

“I thought so too,” I sighed. “Now imagine my surprise when I found out that you were in constant communication with my COO. Would you like to explain the business interactions between the two of you to me?”

He walked further into the room and settled on the couch beside his son.

“I don't know what you've heard but I had no hand in what happened with Jason or Ronan.”

“And yet you went into hiding immediately the news came out?” Ethan perched in before moving to another liquor.

Alberto's nose flared, but he didn't move from his seat. Ethan sighed as if he was expecting him to retaliate.

“I'm not asking, Alberto. Give me the information I need otherwise things would get ugly really quickly.” I said, my tone hardened.

Mason flinched slightly and stared at his father with pleading eyes.

“Believe it or not, but I have my own reasons for interacting with Alberto, and I promise it has nothing to do with you.” He said, meeting my gaze. But he tore his gaze away after only a few seconds.

“Really? So how you explain your relationship with Russo?” I folded my arms and arched an eyebrow.

“I think you already know the answer to that.” He said, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“You have a lot of enemies, Oliver. You've not exactly led a moral life. Or it could be enemies of your father who seek to exert revenge on you.” He paused, his smirk growing wider.

“Just because people don't talk anymore doesn't mean they don't know what happened in the warehouse decades ago. Your mother did a good job coming up with a cover story for the cops. What was her name again? The nanny. Mandy, was it? Aren't you a little curious why she did what she did?”