Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“I don’t know about you, but I haven’t slept in nearly thirty-six hours,” I replied on a calculatedly weary sigh. “I didn’t have time for a cat nap when we got home from decimating the Ronaldo estate. Some of us have more responsibilities than others.” I quirked a rueful smile at my associate, but he would be wise to read the veiled insult: I’m more powerful than you are. Don’t test me.
He scowled, his lips disappearing beneath his thick gray mustache. “You chose to take on extra responsibility when you brought Carmen here, and it looks like that decision has already come around to bite you in the ass.” He pointed at my bandaged neck.
“You seem to need a lesson in human anatomy,” I drawled, brushing my fingers over my injury. “This isn’t my ass.”
His blocky jaw ticked. “Carmen Ronaldo is dangerous, Stefano. If you want your friends to stick around and watch your back, you should put our interests first. We are the ones who keep you alive. She probably wants to kill you.”
I laughed, outwardly ignoring his subtle threat. “Oh, she definitely wants to kill me.”
Raúl interjected himself into the exchange, dispelling the tension with a shake of his head and an affected chuckle. “You’re a crazy motherfucker, Duarte. No pussy is worth getting mauled.” His dark green eyes were hard enough to let me know that he was not at all amused, even though he chose to side with me in this little altercation.
Raúl had been loyal to my cause longer than anyone, and for that, he was second only to me. Whenever there was any threat to my power, he offered his support. Not because he gave a shit about me, but because he’d become rich by sticking close to my side and having my back.
I shot him a smile to convey my gratitude before hitting back with my own affected banter. I waved at my bandage, puffing my chest out in a show of pride. “This is just a love bite. Maybe you enjoy fucking simpering doormats, but I find that terribly boring.”
Arturo knocked back his whiskey and fixed me with a glare. “I’m not willing to die so you can indulge your hate-fuck kink, Duarte. Having Carmen here jeopardizes stability. None of us trust her. Get rid of her.”
I studied my fingernails, pretending to check them for cleanliness. I’d scrubbed off the dirt and blood hours ago, but I wouldn’t deign to give Arturo any indication that I was shaken by his statement. Half a dozen of my most powerful allies were present in the room, watching our verbal volley with keen interest. I couldn’t afford dissent amongst their ranks.
“Is that an order?” I asked idly, the silky quality to my tone revealing the threat in my casual question. I kept my attention on my hands, fastidiously preening as though Arturo was of no concern to me.
A long moment of silence passed as we waited each other out, the air growing thick with violent tension. Continuing to question me would be tantamount to an insult, and that would not end well for Arturo. He could assert his opinion and be heard by the group—the resources he provided our cartel had earned him that much—but to challenge me directly would force the other men in the room to declare their support, one way or the other. Arturo didn’t have the friends he would require to override me and get out with his life intact.
Finally, he grunted, the surly sound signaling his surrender. “No, it’s not an order. I’m voicing my concerns.”
“Noted.” I finally stopped inspecting my hand and met his gaze with incisive intensity. “Carmen is a key component in this victory. She bears the Ronaldo name, and she was a prominent member of their organization. Today, all of Pedro’s allies will be considering retaliation against us. They will each be plotting to organize what’s left of the cartel to claim it for themselves. Then, they will wage war on us. I don’t intend to let things escalate to that point. Soon, I’ll have Carmen on a leash, kneeling at my feet. Once they see that the last Ronaldo is devoted to me, everyone will fall in line.”
“And what if she doesn’t bend?” he challenged. “What will you do with her if she refuses to cooperate?”
“She will definitely refuse to cooperate. But that doesn’t mean she won’t bend. I know how to handle her.”
I kept him locked in a steady stare, daring him to continue questioning my judgment.
He leaned back in his own chair, not quite succeeding at releasing the tension from his stocky frame. “I’m sure you have it well in hand, and I anticipate the speedy results of your efforts, Stefano. I’m sure there are key players from the Ronaldo Cartel who are already vying to take Pedro’s place.”