For the second order of business, I pulled out my cell phone and showed Don Carlos the picture of Seven.

“Yes that’s Lolita. And she’s blood; she’s my daughter,” he revealed. I was stunned and I knew Trae felt the same but we each held a poker face. “Lolita was a mistake. A mistake that caused bad blood between friends and death. The stakes were very high during this time. The times were different.

“She didn’t know at first. Her mother didn’t explain her history until she was a teenager. I tried to do the right thing, make up for my past sins but it ended with her disappointing me. Now that I found her, I can make things right.” He picked up my phone to examine the picture more closely. “Unbelievable. She just pops up out of nowhere. Magically reappears and of all the places. One of two reasons I sent for you.” He put the phone down and looked back up at us.

“Her last marker was 3.5 million. 1.5 upon calling it in, and the rest when the job is complete. She requires an open marker. To complete the job, you must get your hands dirty. I don’t necessarily want either of you to walk this out, but someone trustworthy and capable on your team. If you’re in see Tino before you leave.

“I am ashamed to say that I have a grandson that I’ve never met. Do I feel at times guilty? Of course. And it gets better. As fate would have it, all the while she was right there under everyone’s noses. Hidden in plain sight, Seven. Who was this Seven? Where was he from? Running drugs like a common criminal. Seven. All the while I’m looking for my daughter, Sina. The marker is for Sina. She is my seventh child. Not a guy named Seven. She has her old man’s balls. Her mother must have told her that she was my seventh child, so she takes the name Seven.”

“How did she end up at my house?” I asked.

“Now that, I can only attribute to fate, Mr. Santos. It was fate which brings me to the main purpose of this meeting.” Don Carlos switched modes.

“I knew it was coming. I introduced the both of you to this business. I personally brought you into my world. I’ve always provided protection, which enabled the both of you to operate almost without restriction. And most recently, I made sure that Kay was able to orchestrate your release. I even got the blessings of Charles Li.”

“You know. I’m grateful, Don Carlos,” Trae interjected.

“Hear me out.” He fanned his hand. “I don’t call on you often. But the Li Organization is a thorn in all of our sides, and he can strike at any time.