Esme Legacy

The Beginning
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 979-8-31781587-5
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, Band 1, 235 Seiten

Reihe: Legacy

Angel Huaiquipan always believed he was destined for greatness-though he never quite knew in what form that success would come. His parents had envisioned a different path for him, one grounded in tradition and expectation. But Angel chose a life neither of them could have imagined, a life that defied their dreams and redefined his own. It was love-not ambition-that changed him. It shaped him into someone he never thought he could become. As he took his place on the throne, Angel didn't just lead; he altered the course of the monarchy itself. His influence reimagined the future, laying the foundation for a new world for the generation to come. He became legend-for the right girl, and for the right reasons.

J. Esme is a storyteller with a passion for exploring the complexity of human emotions, relationships, and diversity. Her writing invites readers into richly imagined worlds-whether grounded in reality or touched by the fantastical-where flawed, fascinated characters grapple with truth, transformation, and the quiet of the unordinary. Her motto of never putting herself and her writing skills in a box allows her to explore diverse genres and themes, ultimately leading to a rich tapestry of stories that resonate with readers. From slow-burning romance to gripping dramas and stimulating fictions, J. Esme crafts stories that linger long after the last page.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Esme, J.

Leseproben

2

“I am so glad to see you again, Pehuen. It’s been a long while,” Euna repeated as she passed a bowl of corn and a bowl of arepas to him.

“Likewise, Mrs. Costello. I’ll always be there for the family. Your family is much like my very own.”

He graciously accepted the corn and arepas to add to his plate of ajiaco.

“I’m sorry we didn’t have much to talk about earlier. I knew you and Maple were busy.”

“No, that’s fine, Mrs. Costello, nothing to apologize for.” He meant to smile at her but couldn’t take his eyes off his plate, eager to start digging in.

“So, children, anything exciting happen today while the grownups had their heads in business?” Costello asked.

“No, Papa, nothing too exciting,” Nola answered.

“What are you talking about? Angel and I had lots of fun, ain’t that right, Angelo?” Ademir said.

“Yes, we had some fun.”

“I meant for me anyways,” Nola added.

“Oh, mi linda bebe, I’m sorry to hear that. Why didn’t you come and tell me? I would’ve sent you shopping or something,” Costello said.

“With Ester,” her mother corrected. “Surely not by herself.”

“Ester’s at camp, Mama. lla esta muy ocupada para mi ahora.”

“Well, you chose not to go along, hija.”

“Camps aren’t really my thing.”

“Anyway! Back to Angel and me. We played football because Angel’s really bad at soccer, then we decided to have Esteban take us to see the city.”

“Why didn’t you join them, Nu?” her mother asked.

“Didn’t sound like much fun, Mama.”

“We can do something tomorrow if you like, Nola. Whatever you want to do, I’ll be okay with it,” Angel suggested, desperately hoping she would say yes or at least consider it before giving her usual response ‘no’.

“I’ll see what we can do, Angel. Thank you.”

That was enough; at least she would put some thought into it this time.

Angel had a seat in Costello’s dimmed and large but simple bar room, where he, his father, and Toribio were comfortable on swivel stools, listening to a boxing match on the radio.

“I cannot believe he wants to take it there. Your soldier has put us in some deep horseshit, I must admit,” his father commented.

“Ay, tell me about it, Pehuen. It’s wicked.”

“You do understand what needs to be done here, Costello? The level of caution we must take.” Costello nodded, not fully agreeing with the sudden change of his decision but also knowing the price he would suffer if the case weren’t destroyed. “Quick question, just how much do you think this Alfredo fellow knows?” asked Pehuen.

“Havoc told me just from a peek of the body in the trunk. You wonder why Havoc was around Alfredo with a dead man leaking in the back of his car? I seriously don’t know. But I do know how crucial this is.”

“And he thinks for sure this is tied to you?”

“Ah, Pehuen, who else does that little shit work for? Unless he’s doing something on the side.”

Pehuen let his mind churn, putting all the pieces together. “We already know Alfredo doesn’t like you, and he’ll try his best to take you down no matter what the public and the president think of you.”

“He envies me. Algo que siempre les digo a mis hijos que tengan en cuenta. Jealousy could be managed, but envy is something you never see coming. Especially from people who are close to you. After seeing the body, news of that man who’s been missing for months hit the screens and broke the wires of his disappearance straight after.”

It was strange that a politician, who teamed up with a federal agent desperately wanting the Costello family buried in the prison system, hadn’t yet reported one of Costello’s men with a fresh body as evidence. Instead, he had pulled strings to contact popular newscasts to revive the memory of a politican’s kidnapping.

“He’s onto something, Costello. He’s doubling it up for the records.”

“And I believe the best way to keep him quiet is to get his woman and children involved.”

“That’s dangerous. A lot of things could go wrong. He’s a politician. A damn wise one too. He’s playing a mind game with you. Thinking he’s one upped you.”

Costello let the sweet taste of quality cigar linger in his throat before spilling it out his nose. “And now headlines are asking, ‘Have we really asked and searched everywhere for Tommeth?’”

“The wild part about it was that it wasn’t the Tommeth fool at all. It was a man who had too many chances to fulfill his debt.”

“Right, I forgot you do connect with your compassionate side from time to time.” Pehuen poked at him.

Costello lifted a shoulder in a lazy imitation of a shrug. “He was good for it.”

Because of Havoc’s mishap, the president of Columbia was beginning to worry, thinking maybe he’d given Costello too much independence. The constant blaring of the house phone had Euna restless, and private meetings in her husband’s office or chamber had her distraught. A husband should rest beside his wife at night, not sneak out to answer calls or plot strategies in rooms with fellow men in suits. Costello wanted the storm to pass because his intense energy and focus on it were draining his family.

Angel pretended he was interested in the boxing match playing over the radio, but he couldn’t help ponder why the grownups weren’t asking the real question to complete the picture: What was Havoc doing in the same area as Alfredo, a known enemy of the Costello family? He knew he shouldn’t intervene, but it just itched his curiosity.

“Um, excuse me, Dad, Mr. Costello, but what was Havoc doing around Alfredo in the first place?”

“I like the way you think, Angelo. No need to worry your smart head, though. I’ll get the answer tonight.”

“Tonight?”

Costello’s answer was a simple nod.

“You and Papa?” he asked.

“No, don’t be silly, mijo. Everyone has a part to play, and your father should never exceed his. He’s my mouthpiece. Professional and clean is how I want him to stay.”

“The less I know, the better, son.”

Angel watched his father take the small sip of his brandy, then tilted the glass toward Angel’s lips. Angel quickly looked away, knowing his father usually gave signs if he was too heedful in grown folks’ conversations—signs like elevating a brow, twitching his lip, curling his nose, or titling an object at Angel were a few of his favorites.

“Angel.”

He looked back at him. “Yes?” His father looked at the cup in his hand and tipped his chin at it.

“Um, put it away for you, sir?”

“No, son, have a drink,” he said.

Angel’s doubtful eyes stared at the drink, then his father, then the drink again. “It’s alcohol, Dad.”

Pehuen rolled his eyes and sighed. “Yes, of course, I know what it is. And I’m telling you to taste a bit of it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Don’t question me. Take it.”

“Ok, thanks, Dad—?”

“Don’t mention it.”

Yes, more like never mention it. It would stay in this room, between the three of them forever. After his bitter drink, Angel was dismissed, with Maria leading him to his bedroom for the night.

“Ademir, no, I don’t think it’s a clever idea. What if we get caught this time?” Nola’s whisper woke Angel. Her voice had the power to pull him out of a coma, let alone sleep.

Angel came alive, fluttering his eyes open, shifting on his side to see the outlines of shadows in the hallway. His bedroom door was left open. It was a rule that all guests should leave the doors open unless changing or fucking. A rule for security purposes. Ademir’s heavy voice disturbed the peace in Angel’s quiet room.

“Aw, c’mon, Nu, it’s just Havoc and Papa talking.”

“No, it’s business, and Papa will get mad.”

“He already knows. He confronted me about it anyway.”

“Then take the warning and let it be. Let’s go back to bed, hermano.”

“Don’t be a chicken. Come on, let’s go! Havoc is in trouble, and I want to see what the consequences will be.”

“Ah, no, Ademir, please. Volvamos a la cama.”

“No, you big chicken. I’m going. You can go back to bed.”

“Ay, don’t call your sister a chicken,” Angel reprimanded.

His voice unnerved the siblings. Ademir’s eyes reduced to their normal size, and the hand he had on his chest slipped down when he saw that it was just Angel before...