Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“Yes,” I bit out, bracing for violence. I’d admitted to my crime against him, and I wouldn’t apologize for it.
A grim smile sharpened Duarte’s features, his sudden shift in demeanor knocking me off balance. “Good. That’s not how I do business, either. Besides, Carmen would’ve had my balls if I’d allowed an innocent woman to suffer like that under my watch. You’ve saved my marriage, Massimo.” He tipped his head at me. “You have my gratitude. If those bastards were still alive, they’d be thanking you for ending them far more quickly than I would have.”
I released a long breath, struggling to ease the tension from my muscles. Seconds ago, I’d been prepared to fight for my life. Now, Duarte was beaming at me like I was his closest friend in the world. The cartel boss had earned his mercurial reputation. It was unnerving as hell.
I could respect that. A partnership with such a man would enrich us all.
And he’d just proven that he had his own code of honor that was closely aligned with mine. We would have a profitable alliance. I wouldn’t return home to Naples until we’d sealed our bargain.
“If he’s your enemy, I’ll personally take care of George Crawford,” I vowed.
I wouldn’t apologize for killing Duarte’s men, but I could make amends.
“A very generous offer,” he drawled. “Are you not worried about drawing the attention of the DEA to your organization?”
I could practically feel Enzo and Gian tense behind me. My friends weren’t keen to anger the American feds. Not when we hadn’t even sealed our deal with Duarte to establish a cocaine trafficking route back to Italy. Our position here was tenuous, the alliance new and fragile. We didn’t yet have the infrastructure in Mexico and Colombia to defend our interests.
It was up to me, in this moment, to ensure Duarte’s friendship. He was the key to securing the alliance with his Colombian partners. We needed them all if we were going to pull off our coup.
Gian might give me hell for making this risky call later, in private, but my instincts had kept me alive for this long. I would trust in them now.
“We’re friends, aren’t we?” I asked Duarte. “Friends watch each other’s backs. If George Crawford is causing problems for you, I’ll eliminate him.”
His eyes glinted with satisfaction. “All right, Massimo. I accept your gesture of friendship.” He swirled the whiskey in his cut crystal glass, drawing out a moment of silence before divulging more. With every heartbeat, the tension in the room grew thicker. The man knew how to create an intimidating atmosphere, I’d give him that.
I held my ground, meeting his dark stare head-on.
“We’re glad to hear that,” Gian offered, stepping in to navigate the politics of the situation. “Tell us what we can do to help.”
“You and I have a lot of business to discuss, Gian,” Duarte countered, still smiling. “I’m sure Massimo can deal with this little problem on his own.”
It was a decree, not a suggestion. It seemed I was to be rebuked for the insult of murdering his men, even if he would’ve made the same judgment call. I understood the slight to his honor; I should’ve presented the bastards to him so that he could handle them personally.
I would pay my dues and make amends to Duarte by taking on the risk alone.
“Yes,” I agreed firmly before Enzo and Gian could declare that they would help me take on the DEA. “My friends have a lot to discuss with you. They’re the brains behind this operation. I can deal with Crawford on my own.”
Duarte chuckled, eyes roving over all six foot five of my bulky frame. “I’m sure you can.”
It was true; we were in Mexico because of my friends’ aspirations, not mine. I didn’t care as much about making this power move in order to overthrow our boss back home. All I cared about was my freedom and security. And defending my friends, who were as close as brothers. I’d taken my part in this risky plot because it would further their ends. The coup mattered to them, and keeping them alive mattered to me. I would die for Enzo and Gian, but if all went to plan, we wouldn’t just survive; we would prosper. We’d all be richer and more powerful than I’d ever dared to dream.
Duarte leaned forward slightly, the small gesture commanding the attention of every man in the room. His intense focus on me pierced my chest like a blade, but I didn’t flinch. An approving smile ghosted around his mouth as he addressed me directly.
“George Crawford is a dirty agent,” he informed me, elaborating on the limited information I already had. “He’s been working with my rivals, Los Zetas. They’re trying to get a foothold in my territory, and Crawford is taking their bribes to keep the heat off them. Meanwhile, he’s causing problems for me with his relentless investigations into my men, working off information the Zetas are feeding him. To his superiors, he’s a model agent. They won’t take it well when he’s murdered by the Camorra. Especially when you have no business being in Mexico City.”