Free Secrets Uncovered by Amaleka McCall Page B

smell of the blood, like raw meat gone bad, made him feel like an animal in the jungle prowling for his next meal. Only Arellio didn’t think this particular appetite could ever be truly satisfied.
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    Junior sat across from Rolando DeSosa Sr. Their eyes were locked on each other. DeSosa lifted a Cuban cigar to his lips slowly, sucking in, and blew a smoke ring in Junior’s direction. His infamous diamond skull and crossbones gleamed on his front tooth. Junior bit down into his jaw and adjusted his neck.
    â€œJunior,” DeSosa drawled, rolling the R at the end of his name.
    Junior didn’t break eye contact.
    â€œYou come here for my help, no?” DeSosa said in an unnervingly calm tone of voice.
    Junior nodded slightly.
    â€œBut you question me also?” DeSosa followed up. He didn’t appreciate the way Junior had accused him with fingers pointed.
    â€œLook, DeSosa, I’m sorry for the way I busted in here. I’m just telling you what this dude said. First he said you worked for the government, and then he said he was a fuckin’ DEA agent,” Junior confessed as he recalled the nightmarish scene that had unfolded weeks earlier.
    On that night Junior had discovered that his right-hand man, Tuck, was really an undercover DEA agent. “I had no idea. I feel like my ass had been set up by you, by him... . I just want some answers, man. I also want help with this problem,” Junior continued, humbly now. He was very careful with his tone as he warily eyed DeSosa’s goons positioned on either corner of the room. Another was stationed on the other side of the closed door.
    DeSosa moved his shoulders back uncomfortably. “You came here for my help? You say Phil harmed your family? Is that right?” DeSosa asked, blowing out more smoke rings. He completely ignored Junior’s concerns about him being down with the government.
    Junior nodded, rocking in his chair now. His frustration was mounting.
    â€œAnd what about his brother? His family?” DeSosa asked.
    â€œI told that nigga I didn’t have nothing to do with the shit that happened to his brother. It was all Broady. He thought Phil killed his best friend, Razor, so he took revenge. I didn’t have nothing to do with that,” Junior explained. “But Phil hit my moms,” Junior finished with venom. Nothing more needed to be said.
    DeSosa seemed to contemplate what he was being told.
    â€œYes, I know everything, including the fact that you allowed a narco into my midst. Into my business!” DeSosa snapped, finally acknowledging Junior’s confession.
    â€œI didn’t know Tuck was an undercover rat. It doesn’t matter, anyway, does it? Aren’t you untouchable?” Junior replied snidely. He was tired of the DeSosa bullshit.
    DeSosa eyed him evilly. “You think Easy would’ve ever brought a rat into his company? You think he would’ve been that weak? You never were as good as he was at this business,” DeSosa said cruelly, chuckling.
    Junior swiped his hands down his thighs and shifted in his seat. He could feel heat rising in his chest. His eyes darted across the room at the two men standing around, trying to look casual, their weapons making visible bumps under their suit jackets. Junior knew better than to express his outrage. He was here to ask for help, after all.
    â€œDo you remember the day Easy brought you to me, Junior?” DeSosa asked. The rolling R sent a cold chill down Junior’s spine. “You were so poor, so pathetic. Coming from nothing,” DeSosa said, curling his lip to show his disgust.
    Junior swallowed hard. DeSosa liked to antagonize, and he knew just what to say to crush his opponent.
    â€œYou could never be Easy, eh, Junior, because you always make things so difficult for yourself.” DeSosa laughed at his play on words.
    Junior rolled his eyes to the ceiling. He couldn’t escape Easy’s shadow for the