La Familia: Loose Ends, #1

By Corey Cepeda

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The De Los Santos family has just been savagely attacked!  In an unprecedented act of cowardice, the brazen assassination attempt at Lucita's 10th birthday party went horribly wrong, slaughtering dozens of women and children. Catapulting into motion a series of events that can never be undone. A merciless drug dynasty in Mexico for over fifty years, they are now in critical danger of being ripped to shreds as they struggle between their loyalties to the drug empire they have built and with one another.

Vicente, The Boss of Bosses severely injured, will have his throne challenged not just by his enemies but by his own flesh and blood as he recovers. Ignacio, Vicente's oldest and power-hungry son, races to locate those responsible for the bombing while waiting impatiently in the shadows for his opportunity to be king.

Hot on his heels Aurelio, a powerful Lieutenant in the Mexican state police, and Vicente's brother. He will investigate the tragic events of the day, quickly realizing that something very sinister lies deep beneath the surface.

Gabriella will look to extract unimaginable revenge, while balancing the needs of her beautiful daughter and injured husband. Santino rushes home to provide support to his family, only to be sucked in the middle of their dysfunctional relationships. Bonds will be severed, alliances challenged, and hearts will be destroyed. Bloodshed and collateral damage will ensue when war is declared on and within the De Los Santos family. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Razor Sharp Publishing LLC
• Release date: Oct 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781735416014

Book preview

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Contents

Chapter 1 The Birthday Party

Chapter 2 The Aftermath

Chapter 3 Forgotten Son

Chapter 4 The Bomb Maker

Chapter 5 The Van Driver

Chapter 6 The Investigation

Chapter 7 Family Reunion

Chapter 8 Worlds Collide  

Chapter 9 The High Art of Lying

Chapter 10 The Spider and The Fly

Chapter 11  Acts of Atrocity

From the Author

I will never be able to find the exact words to say thank you to every single person that has bought or read my books and continue support me. There is no sufficient gratitude that can be shown or repaid. This has been and continues to be such a surreal journey for me bringing these characters to life and seeing how much everyone enjoys this story. This entire series is simply my dream that has manifested into reality. 

I’ve had my fair share of struggles bringing them to life and lost focus at times. But every time I have begun to slow down, I remind myself no one is going to make this happen but me. I have to believe in myself first before anyone else will and that very simply is my message to all of you. Please don’t EVER stop believing in yourself. Chase your dreams like you need air to breathe. Chase your dreams as if you are going to run out of air. There is only right now, there is only this moment, seize the opportunity it may never present itself again.

To everyone in the world with a dream no matter how big or small, protect it, feed it, and make it grow. Nurture it every day gently or slap it in the face. Whatever you decide, do not EVER give up on your dreams, be patient with it, but chase it with ferocity. The struggle is hard, and the war will be hell, however, the gratification of success will taste sweeter than anything you could have imagined.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all of the magnificent people in my life that have directly or indirectly helped me along this incredible journey. My amazing family: Kirsten, Kaylee, and Payton, I love you! You have always given me strength to be a good man and do what’s right in life and honor you. To my remarkable mother who raised a son alone and worked two jobs to put food on the table and clothes on my back. My father who worked his way back into my life at the age of fourteen, when I would need him the most. He mended our broken relationship and helped to guide me in life. To John Turnipseed, Thornton TJ Jones, and VJ Smith, outstanding men that God introduced to me at the perfect time when I was at my lowest. They helped save me . . . I am eternally grateful! Lastly, I need to mention William Jones. I witnessed him commit so many unspeakable acts of violence against my mother for so many of my young, impressionable years. He beat, slapped, punched, and almost choked her to death right in front of me. He called her disgusting names and belittled her, stripping her of her dignity, from which she still suffers. It had taken me many decades of deep soul searching to understand why I had to witness this as a child. One day, well into my mid-thirties, it hit me like an epiphany: I was not placed into those situations to be hurt or harmed, but to see what a man is and is not, how to treat people with respect, and cherish those you love. Despite all of his evils, I grew to have an incredible life and become a man with deep passion, love, and forgiveness. I am the opposite of what he was. Upon learning of his passing many years ago, I did not feel the need for closure I had already forgiven him.

Acknowledgements

It is a great honor to acknowledge and say thank you to all of our military men and women for your outstanding service to our country. You have made and continue to make such unbelievable sacrifices for this country and our freedoms. To our brave police officers across the entire United States of America that keep our cities and counties safe, I say thank you as well. I would like to give a big shout out to Cristina Tănase for the crazy art work and cover design for this and all my books.   I need to pay tribute to all of the mentors and trail blazers in the world that I have not shared space with but who have continually inspired me to just be great. In their own ways, they have helped me to realize that I needed to jump and allow my parachute to open, to get out of my comfort zone and be brave, to be the hardest worker in the room, move forward when my back is against the wall, do not let my past dictate my future.  It is o.k. to fail, failure means growth, and no matter how many times I get knocked down, I just simply need to get back up.  I have learned to lead by example because you never know who is watching. Be the light in someone else’s life you will shine brighter. I have learned I only have this life and I will live it to the fullest! I have been deeply inspired to allow my writer’s voice to flow freely, believe in myself and write unapologetically, to trust my content and speak with depth and confidence. So, to Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, Bishop TD Jakes, Gary Vaynerchuk, Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Terry Crews, Kurt Sutter, Vince Gilligan, Daymond John, Creflo Dollar, Vince Flynn, Muhammad Ali, Will Smith, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dr. Dre, and Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey, Tony Robbins, Joyce Meyer, JK Rowling, Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I say thank you for your lifelong inspiration!

Prologue

The De Los Santos family has just been savagely attacked!  In an unprecedented act of cowardice, the brazen assassination attempt at Lucita’s 10th birthday party went horribly wrong, slaughtering dozens of women and children. Catapulting into motion a series of events that can never be undone. A merciless drug dynasty in Mexico for over fifty years, they are now in critical danger of being ripped to shreds as they struggle between their loyalties to the drug empire they have built and with one another.

Vicente, The Boss of Bosses severely injured, will have his throne challenged not just by his enemies but by his own flesh and blood as he recovers. Ignacio, Vicente’s oldest and power-hungry son, races to locate those responsible for the bombing while waiting impatiently in the shadows for his opportunity to be king. Hot on his heels Aurelio, a powerful Lieutenant in the Sinaloa State police, and Vicente’s brother. He will investigate the tragic events of the day, quickly realizing that something very sinister lies deep beneath the surface.

Gabriella will look to extract unimaginable revenge, while balancing the needs of her beautiful daughter and injured husband. Santino rushes home to provide support to his family only to be sucked in the middle of their dysfunctional relationships. Bonds will be severed, alliances challenged, and hearts will be destroyed. Bloodshed and collateral damage will ensue when war is declared on and within the De Los Santos family. 

Chapter 1: The Birthday Party

Women were screaming, holding their bloody children. Thick gray smoke filled the air—It was heavy and blinding. It devoured the land, moving in slow, as continuous waves crashing across the landscape. It gradually filtered its way up, crossing the beautiful sun-filled sky. Rubble lay on the ground, people screamed and moaned in agony, the muffled chaos inside his head sounded like incoherent chatter.

Small fires burned all around him. Tables and chairs toppled over, presents still ablaze. He tried to lift himself up off the ground but could not, feeling disoriented from the ringing in his ears. His face covered in dirt and debris, not able to catch his breath, coughing and choking from the smoke. It all seemed like a slow-motion movie.

Trapped under a small table; it appeared to weigh a ton. He slowly rolled over to his back, pushing the table off to the side. He struggled to get to his feet, stumbling, finally gaining his composure. He looked around, trying to make sense of what had happened, hearing voices all around him unable to decipher the unintelligible sounds being spoken.

Men ran around with guns, trying to pick up the wounded. He surveyed the area while holding a gash on the side of his head, still bleeding profusely. As he looked across the pool area, he saw the unimaginable. He thought the unthinkable—I have been attacked!

Vicente De Los Santos strolled across the deck of the patio, stepping over the mangled bodies that lay at his feet. It was pure chaos and destruction. Suddenly, a tall slender man ran up from behind him, grabbing him by his waist,

Jefe! Jefe! he screamed, We must depart, we must leave now!

It was Diego, Vicente's second in command. The terror in Diego's voice, along with the utter sense of urgency in his tone, expressed to Vicente how dreadful the situation seemed. However, Vicente De Los Santos was a man that would not run; retreat did not exist in his genetic makeup.

A proud man with a warrior's heart and a fighting soul at this very moment, he needed to take control of the matter.

Vicente pushed Diego away.

Go and find my son. Find out where he is!

But Boss, we must leave now! I must keep you safe!

Go and find my son, you idiot! Ignacio will keep me safe! Vicente screamed back at him.

When you find him, meet me back here!

As Vicente barked out the order, he fell to one knee, his head still ringing from the bomb blast. His ribs hurt like hell and more than likely were broken. He struggled to not completely collapse to the ground, using a table to help steady himself.

Very well, Boss, then please take this. I’ll find him.

Diego handed Vicente his machine gun, then pulled out a black 9mm Beretta from the back of his waistband, cocking back the hammer. Diego then made his way back through the smoke and carnage.

Vicente forced himself to his feet. Wrapping the leather strap of the AK-47 around his shoulder, he shook his head to clear the cobwebs preparing for battle. His first thoughts became of his family. His wife, Gabriella, was she alive? And his precious daughter, Lucita. He shuddered at the thought of anything happening to her.

Vicente slowly started shuffling back through the pool area, which now resembled a war zone. He had a slight limp in his right leg.  All around him, bodies lay motionless, floating in the swimming pool, which had now turned bright crimson red from the blood of the dead.

Vicente gripped his weapon firmly in both hands, ready for anything, although most of the surrounding people had died or were too wounded to pose a threat.

Gabriella!

Vicente screamed out with terror and dismay in his voice.

Gabriella!

He screamed out again but this time louder, spinning in a three-hundred-sixty-degree motion to see all around him. Vicente heard no response, just the crying and moans from the survivors laying on the ground, begging for help.

Vicente had to shut out the noise of the wounded. He had to drown out the cries of those dying. All he cared about was finding his queen, his Gabriella. Vicente limped back to where he was when the bomb went off, where both he and his wife had been standing.

The smoke cleared for a moment when Vicente saw a figure laying on the ground. He limped over to the female body, kneeling down beside her, hoping to see his wife and that she would still be alive. He reached down and grabbed the woman by the shoulder, rolling her over. It wasn't Gabriella.

Just then, Vicente detected a faint cry in the distance. His head shot up, his eyes grew big, his heart filled with terror. He recognized that cry instantly, but it was not his wife's—no, the moment had become much, much worse. The cry sent sheer panic through his bones; realizing the sounds of his beautiful 10-year-old daughters’ voice, Lucita.

Vicente hobbled toward the tiny voice yelling,

Lucita! Lucita! Mi Niña!

When Vicente reached her, she was sitting amid a pile of rubble.

Relieved to see that she was okay, however, she appeared to be in an extreme state of shock. Dead bodies lay all around her.

Vicente could smell the vulgar odor of burning flesh, which meant more than likely she smelled it too. She sat on the ground, crying uncontrollably.

Her beautiful white dress now dirty and torn, her hair mangled and strewn all over her face. Lucita's once perfect makeup now ran down her face with her tears.

Why did they do this, Papá? Why? she cried as she reached out to him.

Her pretty white gloves now soiled black from the dirt and soot. Vicente grabbed his daughter, pulled her close to him, and wrapped his arms around his vulnerable princess.

I don't know, my love. I don't know mi Amor. Vicente said to his wounded daughter's heart. But in the back of his mind, he knew precisely why they had been attacked. He was being challenged, he was being tested, someone wanted to take what he had worked so hard to build, his empire!

Come, Lucita, we must go. I must get you to a safe area.

Vicente attempted to pick her up but grimaced as the pain in his leg had gotten worse, and his ribs still hurt.

Are you okay, Papá? Her fragile little voice asked.

I am fine, Lucita, but we must go.

Vicente held his daughter around her waist with his left arm and steadied his machine gun with the other. He pointed it straight through the smoke, ready to kill anyone in his path.

As they made their way toward the house, Vicente saw to his left the door to his library and pointed with the weapon that they should walk in that direction.

Lucita and Vicente made their way into the house. The library consisted of a spectacular display filled with thousands of vintage books, high-end furniture, and hunting trophies.

The room was besieged with lions, zebras, hyenas, and magnificent grizzly bears; all trophies collected over the years by the super predator himself, Vicente De Los Santos. He helped Lucita to the brown leather couch and kneeled in front of her. He brushed the hair out of her face and placed both of his hands on her cheeks.

You need to listen to me, Lucita. I need you to stay here. I have to find your mother.

Lucita stared back at her father with no response; her eyes glazed over with emptiness.

Lucita, did you hear me? I need you to stay here. I have to go and find your mother.

Vicente leaned in, giving his daughter a gentle kiss on her cheek.

I know you don't understand what's going on, but you need to trust me right now. The safest place for you is here in this room. Stay here, Lucita. I'll be back soon.

Lucita sat on the edge of the couch motionless, staring off into the distance. Vicente realized she may not have been hurt physically, however, she appeared to be destroyed emotionally, but for the moment, she would be safe here. He stood back up and gave his daughter one last kiss on the forehead and walked back to the door.

Cracking the door open ever so slightly, Vicente slowly poked his head out, looking to his right and then to his left. The smoke had cleared from the pool area. He could see the bodies of his guests laying all around. Vicente exited the library, closing the door tightly behind him and limped slowly back to where the explosion occurred.

This time he held the AK-47 tight. Now starting to feel the deep murderous rage swell within him at the dogs who dared attack him at his own home.

Who would have the balls to do this to me and on this day? Who would know when and where to attack me? Who would benefit from this? The answer to that last question seemed simple—who would benefit from him being dead? Everyone.

Vicente crept slowly among the dead—little boys dressed in their tuxedos, and little girls in their pink outfits lay motionless. Friends Vicente