Chapter 5
J ago
“It would seem Genevieve Morales accepted your kind invitation.” Navarro Delgado was my commander, a man I’d known for years and perhaps the most vicious soldier I’d ever worked with.
He and I had trained together, my father harsher on both of us than many of the others.
He had a watchful eye, a proclivity for violence, and dark cravings for sexual relations.
He was the perfect blend of being emotionless while born without a conscience.
Yet I could tell by the look in his eyes he was holding something back. He was also ready to burst into laughter, my soldier shifting something back and forth from hand to hand.
“What is it?”
“I don’t think Ms. Morales will be the pushover we all believed she’d be.”
“Why is that?”
“She wrote the acceptance note herself, at least according to the goon who had it delivered. He was none too happy when he shoved it personally into my hand. I almost cut the bastard.” He walked toward me, still wearing an amused if not slightly annoyed expression.
“Did you read it?”
“No, sir.”
“Then why do you believe she’ll be a ballbuster?”
“Just a feeling.”
I snatched it from his hand, turning around to read her response in private. The envelope was sealed and I’ll be damned if I didn’t detect a hint of perfume. I pulled it under my nostrils and almost immediately felt an unexpected twinge in my groin. The fragrance was familiar.
With the flap torn free, I tugged the card from inside. Her words were straightforward, even blunt. Only her use of cursive writing indicated any softness.
Mr. Torres
As you might imagine, my family is in mourning and there is much work to be done.
However, I will accept your offer if my conditions are met.
We will have the meeting tonight at seven sharp.
I will come to your home for our discussion.
I will be accompanied by several of my men.
If this is acceptable, have one of your men send me an email with your address and affirmation.
Please note, you will not be provided with another opportunity should this one not be acceptable.
Madame Morales
Her email address was listed underneath.
Genevieve.
I could imagine how softly the syllables would roll off my tongue when spoken.
As soon as I finished her reply, not only did I smile, but my aroused cock pressed against my trousers. There was something priceless about a woman with spunk. Perhaps because I was used to dealing with girls who fawned all over me, longing for attention and their share of fame.
“What did she say?” Navarro asked.
“You were right. She’s going to be difficult, but I’ll take pleasure in breaking her resolve. We’re having guests tonight. Have the staff ready the entertainment facility and have a discussion with our chef about preparing a special meal.”
“You’re not seriously thinking about inviting her to the estate.”
“Are you questioning my authority, Navarro?” I swung around to face him.
He threw up his hands. “No, sir.”
“Good, because it’s too early for engaging in acts of punishment.
I haven’t even had my goddamned coffee.” I pulled the envelope to my nose, drinking in the scent for a second time.
I would be eager to meet Morales’ daughter.
With no photographs of her anywhere I could find, I hoped to find joy in the surprise.
“I’ll take care of the arrangements,” he stated.
Kruz was leaning against the doorway, grinning as he always did when he sensed my irritation.
“What do we know about Ms. Morales?” I asked. Kruz had been tasked to discover as much about her as possible, although given the lack of a social media presence or any photographs online, it would appear Mr. Morales had taken his children’s safety seriously.
“Very little other than she was offered the position as the abogada . However, I was curious why a woman of her age had simply disappeared for a few years. Even if her father had forbidden her from going on social media, she is in her twenties.”
A painful reminder that I was somewhat older than the girl. “And?”
“I called in a couple favors and learned she went to law school in New York City.”
“Really?” I was surprised a man like Julio would allow his daughter to live somewhere so far away and without his protection.
Kruz grinned. “That’s another reason she won’t be respected by her father’s men.”
“Very true. I can use it to my advantage.”
“I thought you might. I heard the meeting didn’t go well last night.”
“No, it did not. After hearing I barely missed the massacre at the restaurant, I’m wondering if the Turkish emissary had intended on killing two birds with one stone. Perhaps I foiled his attempt.”
Spain was an interesting mixture of various crime syndicates and cartels, few of which originated in our country.
Between the Italians attempting to corner the cocaine trade, the Turks with heroin, and the Romanians and Chinese embracing the slave trade market, our country was flooded with criminal activity.
With the Grupo Especial de Operaciones , the tactical unit responsible for countering terrorism breathing down our necks, my method of operations had been forced to change over the last two years. To this day, that continued to piss me off.
It had been another reason I’d killed one of my men without hesitation. His treachery could have brought heat to my doorstep.
I’d hoped to broker a deal with the Turkish emissary, but it had become apparent quickly he’d accepted the meeting simply to gain information on our organization’s tactical structure. He’d been lucky I hadn’t added him to the body count.
“Entirely possible. The Turks believe themselves to be smooth operators while stabbing you in the back,” Navarro added.
“Yes, well, they should have learned crossing a cartel isn’t in their best interest.” I stuffed the envelope and walked to my desk.
After writing her email on a sticky note, I shoved the card into my drawer.
“Here is Ms. Morales’ email address. Provide her with a statement of agreement as to the arrangements and provide our address as well as our security requirements. Notify Kruz we’ll have guests tonight.”
“I’ll handle whatever you need.” He took the sticky note, staring down at it for a full two seconds.
“But you don’t approve.”
“It’s not for me to approve or not approve,” Navarro wisely said.
“Correct, but I do value your opinions.” Not that I could stop him from giving them. Navarro was rarely intimidated by my power.
“What does your father think this can accomplish?”
I’d mulled over the question myself. “Perhaps preventing additional scum from breaking apart our beautiful country.”
He nodded. “Maybe so. If she agrees to you buying her out, what about her father’s men?”
“That I haven’t decided yet.” The thought of accepting pawned-off soldiers was likely a step closer to organizational suicide.
There was no such thing as loyalty, at least not beyond paychecks and the benefit of remaining alive.
We weren’t a charity organization either.
There weren’t pension plans and merit-based vacation days.
You lived or died depending on your actions and reactions.
At least for most, the money was worth the risk to life and limb.
By purchasing the Morales territories, I could double our income in less than a year. At least that’s what I’d been able to determine in the limited time I’d investigated the family and their operations. They were smaller, but extremely profitable.
They had different connections, their territories stretching further north of Barcelona while ours stretched south by several hundred miles and west toward Madrid.
However, both organizations were pinned in by foreigners who’d eventually believe their operations powerful enough to encroach on both territories.
That couldn’t be allowed to happen. A bloody war would ensue prior to anything of that nature occurring.
“About tonight, Kruz. No weapons on anyone.”
“None?”
“Take them at the door,” I instructed.
“That’s not wise.”
The stern look I gave my dictator had him backing down. “I’d like the lovely lady to see I’m a gentleman at heart.”
“A risky game but noted. What about the Turks?”
I thought about how to handle the swift turnaround of their original offer. None of this was a game. This was the life I’d been dealt and one I was determined to survive until reaching my golden years.
“Hunt down the son of bitch I met with. Detain him from heading back to Turkey. Instead, I think I’ll send him straight to hell as a message.”
Kruz grinned. “My pleasure, my lord.”