Page 82 of Search My Soul (Taylor Family Saga #3)

“I’ve done enough damage to her life. I’m sure she’ll agree that this is for the best. As far as the service is concerned, the only thing you need to worry about is helping your friend through this time in her life.

Murk has access to my accounts so you should have everything you need.

If not, he’ll know what to do. Take care of her.

” I walked out before they could ask any more questions.

I could feel my sanity slipping by the second, so I needed to get out of that place.

“Good evening, gentlemen. It’s unfortunate that we have to meet under these circumstances.

Soul, Pure, you have my sincerest condolences for you and your family.

If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask.

” I sat in the seat next to my brother as Salvador greeted us.

As soon as I stepped out of the hospital, I was informed of the mandatory meeting with the heads of the organization.

I already knew what this bullshit was gonna be about, and I wasn’t mentally in the right space to deal with this.

The rest of the table greeted him while I sat slouched in my chair staring at the mahogany table in front of me.

“As you know, there has been some issues within the organization that have led to conflict amongst the families. You know I have zero tolerance for disruption in my business which is why I’m here today.

Now I realize this is a sensitive subject, but there is no room for emotions in our line of work.

“We must leave our feelings at the door and make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization as a whole. Now, Emilio Martinez has gone missing, and his family is growing concerned. I have been briefed on the situation in great detail, and the circumstances are very unfortunate. However, everyone at this table knows there are strict rules against violence toward other members of the organization. There’s a reason why we have a chain of command so that we have unbiased parties who can assist with diffusing any kind of conflict.

” I let out a chuckle because he was wasting his time and breath.

“Now, I realize that you are riddled with grief, so I’m willing to give you a pass on your disrespect, but don’t you think for one second that I’m someone you can play with,” Salvador calmly warned.

Pure reached over, placing his hand on my shoulder.

I knew what he was saying without any words being spoken, and I still didn’t give a fuck.

“We appreciate you for taking the time out of your schedule to meet with us. Please excuse my brother as he is not in his best form. I’m sure you can understand.” My jaw flexed and my fists were balled up as I listened to him attempt to make excuses for me.

“I completely understand. However, I’m sure you can understand my concerns.

We cannot have the families going at one another.

I understand Emilio’s actions crossed a line, but I’m sure you can see things from his perspective as well.

I’m not asking you all to forgive one another, but we cannot allow something like this to affect our bottom line.

If you retaliate, then it will cause the families to become divided.

As the leader, I cannot allow that to happen.

I’m sure you can understand my plight. All I want to do is get us back on track so we can continue to make money.

” Pure held his arm in front of me as if he was holding me back, but there was no need for any of that.

Salvador could save his breath because Emilio’s death certificate had already been signed as far as I was concerned.

No one would be able to stop me. Pure got ready to speak, and I gritted my teeth in anticipation for the bullshit he was about to spew.

“My father used to sing your praises and tell us how important it was to have a leader who operated with wisdom and in the best interest of the entity. I appreciate you for all of the years that you have been here for myself and my family. This organization has given us the opportunity to provide for our family for generations to come, and I’m forever indebted to you for that.

I know you only want what’s best for us all. ”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page. I?—”

“With all due respect, I wasn’t done speaking.

We accepted Remington into our organization at his father’s request. We looked past all his mistakes and made several efforts to confront him about his behavior.

We even reached out to Emilio in order to gain his assistance with his son.

We expressed that Remington was becoming a liability, and our concerns were overlooked.

“Remington allowed his jealousy and greed to cloud his judgment and as a result, he lost his life.

He betrayed his family as well as this organization when he stole millions from us and then attempted to take more.

We were raised by a man of honor and were taught the value of loyalty at an early age.

It is unfortunate that neither Emilio nor Remington were familiar with those same teachings.

“In regard to the error in judgment made by Emilio, there was no justification behind it.

The young lady in question was not the reason his son met his untimely demise.

Dishonor and greed were the reasons. We made those things abundantly clear to Emilio, and he was fully aware of the consequences his son would have to face due to his betrayal.

“You have made your stance clear, and you have every right to protect yourself and your business. I respect your rules for your organization and would not dare disrespect them while being under your leadership, which is why I ask that you accept this as our family’s formal request to be dissolved from the organization effective immediately.

” The whole room went silent as everyone looked around in disbelief.

I sat up in my seat to prepare for whatever was about to come from this new development.

To be honest, it caught me off guard because I expected Pure to agree with Salvador.

“Pure, w-what do you mean? Surely you are making a hasty decision based on temporary emotions. You are the highest earning family in our faction. There’s no way we are going to let you walk away over a misunderstanding.

” Salvador stood from his seat, followed by his guards.

They had our weapons so I couldn’t defend myself if I wanted to.

“Oh, I’m very aware of our earnings and the asset we are to this organization, but the same way you have to protect what belongs to you, I must do the same.

My nephew’s life was ended at the hands of someone in your organization, and he will answer for that.

If the rules state that one family cannot retaliate against another then I have no other choice but to remove my family from the organization so that I’m not in breach of your rules.

“As far as this being a little misunderstanding, you are gravely mistaken. No one gets to take the life of a Taylor and live. We proved that years ago, and nothing has changed. Maybe you don’t see the value in my nephew’s life because it doesn’t affect you and your family, but there is nothing small about this.

Now, I am an honorable man, and I’ll be more than happy to make sure Emilio’s body remains somewhat intact so his family can give him a proper burial, but that will be the only grace I’ll be extending.

“We appreciate the space you have given us within your organization over the years, but there will never be a choice when it comes to my family. If anyone has any issues with my decision, please know that I don’t give a single fuck, and I have bullets for anyone who goes against my blood.

My family is grieving, but please don’t be fooled into believing this loss has weakened us.

If anything, we are stronger than ever and only a fool would test that theory. ”

Rarely did I find myself surprised by much, but as I sat there listening to my brother speak, I was rendered speechless.

His shoulders were square, and his facial expressions appeared calm and unbothered, as if he hadn’t threatened to pull our family out of a crime organization we’ve been a part of our whole lives.

Salvador’s men stepped closer, as if that was supposed to intimidate us.

We might not have been armed, but I stayed ready to fight.

If something popped off, you’d better believe I wasn’t gonna make it easy for them.

Salvador’s guards moved close, one in particular stood to his left with a scowl on his face.

I didn’t give a fuck about how he felt as long as he stayed where he was.

“I realize this is a very sensitive subject, and perhaps we need to come at this from a different angle. My goal here is to ensure that everyone is heard, and we can resolve this issue in a way that will not negatively impact our family, because that’s what we are.

Your family has been a part of this organization since before either of you was born.

The last thing we want is to sever ties with you all.

I’m sure we can come to some agreement that will be beneficial to all parties. ”

“With all due respect, Salvador, we’re not interested in an agreement.

Our blood was taken from us, and you already know how that goes.

When your son was kidnapped and murdered, we tore Colombia up slaughtering countless men to avenge his death.

We stood with you even though it wasn’t our blood out of the loyalty and respect we had for you.

We never questioned you because we already knew what it was.

This situation is no different in my eyes.

Emilio took the life of an innocent soul, my fucking blood.

There isn’t a truce or agreement that will ever make this right.

I want his head and that’s exactly what I’m going to have.

“You know the kind of killer my brother is, so the fact that he’s sitting here at this table should show you just how much respect we have for you.

However, please do not mistake our respect for submission.

I granted this meeting because I wanted to look you in the eyes and let you know my plans.

I will never walk the Earth with anyone who hurts my family.

It saddens us to have to part ways, but we will thrive with or without you.

I don’t want there to be any beef with you because I appreciate all you’ve done for us, but behind my family I’ll gladly lose my life for their honor.

I hope you can understand my stance, but if not, I appreciate you all the same. ”

Pure stood from his seat so I got up from mine. He didn’t even wait for Salvador to respond before turning to leave. The confidence in his stride had everyone frozen in their seats. My paranoia wouldn’t allow me to turn my back on them, so I walked backwards until I reached the door.

We walked out of the building and the sun beamed down on us while we headed to his car.

Pure remained silent the entire ride until we made it to the house.

I wasn’t sure what to say because I was still replaying the meeting in my head.

Both of our phones were ringing off the hook, but neither of us made a move to answer them.

Our thoughts loomed over us, and I had a feeling things were about to get worse before they got better.

Pure stared straight ahead for a moment, then he turned to glance over at me.

“I would ask if you are okay, but I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling. If you need to take some time off, I understand.”

“I do not need any time off. I want that mothafucka dead.”

“That’s a given. I don’t give a damn who comes up against us, we’ll lay them all out one by one.”

Death didn’t even seem like enough of a punishment for what Emilio and his family stole from me. The anger in my heart would never be healed because when it was all said and done, my seed would still be gone.