Chapter 10

0 hours until release

Marvin

“Freedom!” I yelled out as I opened my arms and took in the smell of the fresh air. I was officially free, which meant I was officially working with the DEA to take down the Hernandez and officially a certified rat.

Panther let out an annoyed huff and wrapped his suit jacket around my shoulder.

“It’s cold. Please watch yourself.”

“I am watching myself, and I look good, right, Laine?” I asked my lawyer. He patted me on my back with a forced smile on his face. “Panther is right, it’s a change of environment, and we don’t want you getting sick.”

I rolled my eyes at their boring behavior and focused my attention on Stanfield, who had followed me outside. “I’m surprised you didn’t offer me your jacket,” I told him. “I thought you might because you followed me all the way up here—“

“To keep an eye on you,” Stanfield spoke while he lowered his head. I chuckled and gave Laine and Panther a look, which they had immediately understood. “I’ll see you later,” Laine spoke and took his exit.

Panther looked from me to Stanfield before he shot him a dismayed look. “I’ll be in the car, Marvin.”

I waited until Panther was out of sight, and so did Stanfield.

“Don’t worry, I’ll deliver the message, just like you’ve asked me to,” Stanfield told me. “It’s your last request, so I’ll do you a favor.”

“Thanks.”

I was dying to ask that question all along and felt grateful he started the subject himself. Although I was happy to get out of this place, I had to admit it pained me to know that I wouldn’t be able to talk to Elena anymore.

I reached for the letter I had written just several hours ago and scanned through it one last time. I was surprised by my words, but they were sincere.

—

Hi Lena,

Today I have some bittersweet news. It seems like luck was on my side because by the time you’ll be getting this, I’ll officially be a free man. That’s right. I’m out of prison.

I didn’t want to leave you hanging and thought you deserved a reply. Even though we’ve never met, I need you to know that you would indeed make a good friend.

These past few days, I just haven’t been able to get you out of my head, and I was even wondering if I was perhaps going crazy. Just like you, I have been waiting on your emails with a big smile on my face, and they have cheered up my day. Even though I’ll be leaving today, I do not want this to end and would love to get to know you better.

I would like to offer you the opportunity to take a look at my ugliness in real life. I, of course, don’t want you to feel uncomfortable, so I’m not forcing you to do anything, but if you want to see me just as bad as I want to see you, I have one final request for you.

I’ll be at the Vermont Street Bridge this Saturday at 12 PM, and I’ll be waiting for you.

From,

Marvin

—

Perhaps it sounded a bit desperate, and maybe I had developed a soft spot for Elena, but I didn’t want things to end like this. It felt good to have someone to talk to, and I did not want to lose that.

All I could hope for was for her to look past the fact that I was a monster and would be willing to do the same. “Here,” I spoke as I gave Stanfield the letter. “I need you to type every last word.”

Stanfield grabbed the letter from my hands. “Why don’t you just deliver her the letter? Wouldn’t that be easier?” He asked. “Isn’t that your style?”

It was something that had crossed my mind, but I wasn’t going to lose my pride, and besides that, I didn’t want to invade her privacy. If Elena were willing to show up, it would’ve been great, but if she didn’t want to, then it would’ve been the end of everything, and I was also fine with that. “I’m trying to become a better person, Stanfield.”

Stanfield laughed at my joke and gave me a nod. The truth was that it was already too late for that. I was already too deep into the family business, and I somehow ended up working with the DEA.

“So I’ll get going then.” I smiled at Stanfield. As crazy as it felt, I had to admit that I was going to miss it. I got treated with respect and did not have to listen to Mario Castillo’s demands. Teasing Panther did not have the same effect as teasing Stanfield, so that was another thing I had to get used to.

“I don’t want to see you back here, Castillo,” Stanfield spoke. I stuck out my hand. “Marvin...please call me Marvin, and don’t forget to not let those bullies walk all over you.”

Since I was already linked up with the DEA, I might as well befriend a prison officer. It wasn’t as if I would see him ever again, as I had no plans to return.

Stanfield stared at my hand before he decided to accept it. “Daniel.” Stanfield introduced himself.

I gave him one last pat on the shoulder and opened the car to get into the passenger seat. “So, let’s go!” I cheered but got no response in return. I frowned my eyebrows and looked at Panther, who was behind the wheel. “I know I didn’t just see you shake hands with an officer?”

I shrugged my shoulders and leaned back to relax. “You all have me working for the DEA, but you’re cracking your brains over me shaking hands with an officer?”

“That’s different.”

“It’s not,” I spoke back. “Anyway, let’s go to our first stop,” I instructed him. My dad was nice enough to gather the family at the mansion so that I could surprise them all at once. If there was something Mario Castillo was good at, it had to be playing pretend.

“Mario invited the entire family for your party, but they’re all unaware, and no one knows what it’s for.”

“Neither do I, Panther.” I chuckled. That man wasn’t capable of showing anyone any love, and I was not some exception. I just wanted to see mom, Tiago, and Karina. I didn’t need all that crap.

I looked out the window while Panther drove to the Castillo estate and felt grateful for being out. I always loved going outside, so if there was one thing I missed the most, it had to be nature. The only time you could find me at home was whenever it was time bedtime.

Home.

It still hadn’t hit me yet. After four years, I would finally be going home. I couldn’t wait to get back to everyone.

“You better enjoy your day today.” Panther sighed. “Don’t forget you have a meeting with DEA this week.”

“Thanks for the reminder, Panther.” I rolled my eyes. Of course, I hadn’t forgotten about that. How could I?

I made the deal so my family, mainly Tiago, would remain unharmed, and I did it to be free, but was I really?

It hadn’t even been a full day yet, and they didn’t let me breathe. They wanted someone to go down for the murder, and that’s exactly what I would be giving them.

“What’s with the look?” Panther asked. “Are you nervous?”

“Nervous?” I smiled. “I’m doing the wrong thing to keep Tiago out of prison, and you’re asking me if I’m nervous?”

“What do you think the others will think of me after they’ll find out I’m working with the DEA?”

“You are Marvin Castillo.” Panther laughed. “That’s the last thing you should be worrying about.”

We had arrived at the Castillo estate, and for the first time in four years, it felt as if I was home. I felt it as soon as the gate opened and could not hide the smile on my face. “Get down. No one can see you yet.” Panther spoke. I gave him a confused look. “Mario’s orders.”

My eyes landed on the balloons and decorations. I knew my dad and I had missed out on a lot of time together, but that was no reason to behave as if we were going to celebrate my fifth birthday. I rolled my eyes and let out a ridiculous chuckle as I followed Panthers order and knelt so no one could see me.

“You look dumb.” Panther laughed at me. I was too embarrassed to reply and waited until we had finally reached the garage. “I don’t know why everything has to be so dramatic,” I spoke as I was finally able to catch my breath. “All I wanted was to surprise Tiago, Karina, and my mom.”

“Stop complaining,” Panther told me. “Come on. It’s time.”

I followed Panther out of the car and entered the house through the garage. The change of interior made me realize just how much I had missed in four years. The same place, which had always been decorated in a classic style, was pearly white and modern.

“Changed a lot, hasn’t it?” Panther chuckled and placed his hand on my shoulder. He pointed his finger towards the door right in front of us.

I heard the familiar sounds of my loud family and took a deep breath. I smiled as my thoughts went back to my childhood. Behind that door was the same living room where we had celebrated each birthday party, and today we would be celebrating my return.

“Come on,” Panther smiled. “Everyone is waiting behind that door.”

“We’ve missed you, Marvin. Welcome back.”