Long story short:

My older brother Aidan and I were partners in crime. Initially I did the dirty work: murders and torture if necessary, while Aidan took care of the more practical part: drugs, money and partners.

We were born into that, Aidan is our father's firstborn who was one of the biggest drug dealers in LA.

We lived the life of crime well and grew more and more. I remember those days with a certain bittersweet feeling. Parties, spending money without having to worry, getting high on top quality drugs was cool, but I started to hate all the murders and torture I committed and gradually it subsided, with more people working for us but I'm aware that it never I will forget about those people.

I never liked that part, Aidan did, he said those weren't even people.

Anyway, I was arrested, handed over by one of our own, Mike, one of the closest to me.

I served my sentence, and I decided to leave crime behind as soon as I got out of prison.

The loss of Mike along with seeing the types of people who spend their entire lives going in and out of that place and the abuse that took place - not with me because in addition to my last name having a certain respect, I also had a certain fame for the things I did in street - made me reach this decision.

The last time I saw my brother was on a cold December night, we had agreed to meet last night and I hadn't been out of prison for even a week, I was helpless but I was sure I wouldn't go back to crime.

He had briefly hugged me and we had tried to have a casual conversation. He told me about his daughter who was already ten years old and even showed me a picture of her, the girl had brown hair and blue eyes, just like us and looks a lot like him.

— I can buy her anything I want but she's still not spoiled. — He says putting the photo in his wallet — Business is going well.

— Good for you. — I replied, inhaling the cigarette I was smoking.

— You are missed there. Having someone in the family is different...

— I'm not coming back, Aidan. — Then I cut him off. and his blue eyes meet mine with an expression I couldn't place. He didn't seem to believe me.

— So that's it, you spend a little time in jail and then you leave the family business?

— It's been ten fucking years. — It felt like a pressure cooker ready to explode. I knew people didn't just leave such a life behind, especially as part of the family. I even thought about how he could kill me on the pretext of betrayal, even though I hadn't actually ratted anyone out.

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— I always knew this would happen. — He inhaled his cigarette and looked at me with disdain. — You were always weak. You don't have what it takes to do this — I was going to interrupt him again saying that if what it takes is to enjoy torturing and killing people, I really don't. — Mike and Angela were proof of that...

— Don't say their fucking names. — I interrupted him rudely, approaching him. My blood ran cold, even though it was ten years ago, the wound still felt fresh. He laughed in my face.

— Know what? Screw this. You want to leave to get a job that pays what you make in a month, or to get fired as soon as they check your criminal record, then leave! But know that you're fucking dead to me. — He didn't break eye contact and I just nodded. I already imagined this would happen and, well, it could have been worse.

After that I left and this is the first time I've heard his voice in seven years. It seems unreal.

— What do you want with me? — I asked right away. Given how our last conversation went, it shouldn't be a good thing.

— You hurt me like this. — The older man's voice was full of irony, and I had almost forgotten how much his sarcastic and unpredictable ways irritated me. — Couldn't I have just missed my younger brother?

— We both know better. — I sighed. — Last time I checked, it was dead to you. — Okay, this was a little petty but I felt entitled this time.

— Holding a grudge is not good for the heart. — Again with the sarcasm, I snorted impatiently. — Regardless of what I've said to you or what you've done… — He still talks like getting out of crime is the most despicable thing I've ever done in my life, it's impressive. — We're still brothers. Blood is blood. I imagine you've already seen that I'm one of the police's most wanted drug dealers right now. — There was a tone of pride in the uttered sentence.

— Something like that, yes.

— I was doing pretty well at outwitting the pigs until recently. I discovered that there was a traitor among mine. — I felt the anger in the man's words. — That son of a bitch ratted me to them. They don't ever learn. — I clench my fist. — I managed to escape in the last minute. He certainly regretted it, the way he died. — He laughed darkly. I had almost forgotten about that side of him, even though I was in charge of the kills, Aidan liked to pry and seemed to get satisfaction from killing, something I never got. — Anyway, that was three years ago, I managed to escape to Mexico, I've been living here ever since, and it's safe for now. I manage to control the business from here, the police can hardly imagine where I am and I even opened a new business that is doing very well, I don't know when I'll be back. But brother... it's my daughter.

There was the reason for the call, then.

— I haven't seen her in three years, I had to leave on an emergency basis, I couldn't even get in touch with her until recently. She's in a teen shelter, a shithole. She has to move in with me before she turns eighteen and is thrown out on the street… — The man started babbling and I quickly cut him off.

— What do I have to do with this, Aidan? — Of course I had an idea but it didn't make it any less unreal to hear.

— Ineed you to bring her to me, man.

His brother couldn't be serious.

— Let me get this straight... You haven't spoken to me in seven years and out of the blue you call me wanting me to take your daughter to Mexico for you? Do you listen to yourself? Send one of your man.

— I don't trust them! You think I don't know how absurd this is? Fuck! — The man sounded nervous and I pulled out my cigarette that was almost out. — Do you think I'm going to trust any man to spend a week alone with my daughter? She's beautiful, Aaron. She is like her mother. You are her uncle, I know I can trust you. Plus I'll pay you when you get here, I know the salary you earn isn't exactly ideal. — I felt the venom of my brother's last words and rolled my eyes. So petty. — It's only a week. Please Aaron. — He could be serious when he needed to be, I'll admit that.

I knew money wasn't an issue for him, if he wasn't rich at the time we worked together it would be very close to that, I can't even imagine how much the man has now.

— How much? - I look at my shitty apartment, which was still not cheap rent.

— As much as you want, man. Just bring her safely. I'll send you the address of Sara's shelter and mine, the route and everything. — Aidan's tone was something close to happy. He already knew that I had accepted without saying so and that pissed me off. — She's already waiting for you. The shelter is not that far from where you live. — I was going to ask how the hell he knew where I live but I better not bother. — Picking her up tomorrow, you'll arrive in about seven days

I did the math and it was a Tuesday, we would leave on Wednesday and arrive at the place at dawn on Wednesday, the morning of the next Thursday.

I took a deep breath and said what were probably the dumbest words I've ever said in my 37 years of life.

— Alright.