catch me if you can

It was difficult to gauge where this never-ending feud between Enrique and Manolo would end, but it wasn’t going to end in harmony. A day where the brothers put their differences aside, accept one another's an apology and move on with their lives. It would never happen. They were far too deep into this to come back unscathed. It wouldn’t end until one of them was dead, maybe at the hands of the other. At least that was Manny’s prediction. They were born into a world where death seemed to be the only solution to a problem.

Manny wasn’t going to run from Ricky though, firmly believing there was no way his older brother would slap a pair of handcuffs on his wrists and send him to jail. No, Ricky wanted to save Manny, which was a laughable concept. It brought a sly smirk to his face whenever he thought about the pointless mission his brother had set himself on. Manny didn’t need to be saved and it was about time Ricky realised that. He was exactly where he was meant to be. His whole life had been building up to the man he was today. A role he was born into, alongside his brother, except Ricky turned his back on the family bringing shame to the de la Peña name.

Detective de la Peña. It was disgusting what his brother had become.

Before the woman picked up the phone to call Ricky another one got to her feet, “I’m not sure if he’s free right now, but I’m happy to take the gifts and give them to Detective de la Peña.” Manny didn’t even get a chance to say anything when the other woman pulled the sleeve of her shirt and the pair started to talk in a low voice.

“Don’t you remember what happened last time… with the box and you know… the finger.” The women thought they were being coy, but Manny could just about pick up on their conversation with a tight smile on his face. It was great to hear that Ricky received Manny’s last gift safely. “I will call him now.” Manny flashed her another warm smile, “I appreciate it, sweetheart.”

Manny stepped back from the desk, observing his surroundings at the station, half listening to the conversation between Ricky and the woman on reception. The walls had classic posters stuck to them, about illegal substances and robbery, telling people how many years they could be facing if they committed certain crimes. It was all a little too late if someone was down at the desk being processed. Some of his men were served similar times, some for crimes they didn’t even commit but took the fall for Manny or someone higher up the food chain. It earned them a gold star though and once they were out they would move further up the chain, if they made it out. Some of the men perished inside, just proving to Manny that those people weren’t cut out for this lifestyle. They were lucky to have gone that way rather than at the hands of Manny.

He heard a door click open and as he spun around he spotted Ricky standing there, or at least an older version of Ricky from what he last remembered. Most people would have been proud of their siblings for escaping their criminal ridden family and making something of themselves, but Manny wasn’t proud of Ricky. Not even in the slightest. The tight and somewhat sinister smile that had been resting on his face since he stepped into the station grew wider as the brother's locked eyes. “Mi hermano.” Ricky didn’t offer him a smile though. Not even a fake one to make everyone think Ricky was happy to see his brother. “Because it’s your birthday.” He spoke as if that was the only answer to such a question. Manny kept his gaze locked on Ricky as he moved alongside him, instructing him to follow him into the kitchen. “Ladies. It’s been a pleasure.” He gave the two females on the front desk a small nod as he followed Ricky to what appeared to be a kitchen.

Once inside Manny placed the gifts down on the table before carefully placing the balloon down near the table, the heavy end hitting the floor ensuring the balloon didn’t float away.

ENRIQUE DE LA PEÑA - translation: my brother

Excuse? He didn’t need a fucking excuse. Maybe he just didn’t want to see his brother aka the man who turned on his family and became the black sheep. The man who’d rather join the blues than stand by his little brother who he’d virtually raised. So yeah that was his excuse. “I’m here now. That’s the main thing.” It was all fake smiles and forced pleasantries in front of his staff. Beneath the surface, both men were filled with anger, although Ricky’s anger probably burnt brighter.

Yes, they were in Ricky’s place of work but Manny still had the upper hand in the situation, at least in his mind. It was as if he was almost testing his brother, seeing how far he could push him before he snapped. Those handcuffs resting on Ricky’s belt wouldn’t be used on Manny. He didn’t have the balls to arrest his brother in the middle of the police station he worked at. Not without trying to appeal to Manny’s better side, which had faded away into nothing by now. “A finger?” He pretended to sound shocked. He held his hands up to his brother, spreading his fingers wide. “All ten accounted for… well eight fingers and two thumbs if you want to get into specifics.” He lowered his hands, “No idea what you’re on about Enrique, sorry.” What was even more satisfying was the fact Ricky couldn’t even tell anyone about it because if confronted Manny could happily show he had no missing fingers. He would add a joke in for good measure too, “Not unless I can magically grow missing body parts.” Next time he may send something bigger, like a hand or a foot. Maybe that would send Ricky over the edge.

Manny watched carefully as Ricky started to unwrap the gift. One that was guaranteed to tug viciously on Ricky’s heart strings. As he placed the picture into the frame, staring down at his mom, it almost triggered emotions in Manny. She was a totally innocent party and she didn’t deserve to die. Her death set the wheels in motion and set Manny’s future in concrete.

“A wanted criminal?” Again, he pretended to act shocked. “Well then Dective de la Peña you better arrest me then.” His eyes drifted down as the frame hit the surface of the to harshly, fixating on that for a few seconds before looking back at Ricky. All traces of humor had dropped from his face, leaving him with a stern look. “You think this is a threat? This is just the tip of the iceberg… hay más por venir.” Well, maybe there was, maybe there wasn’t.


ENRIQUE DE LA PEÑA - translation: there is more to come - wanna wrap up with yours?