Chapter 27
Massimo
Ikeep Evelyn tucked protectively under my arm as I guide her the short distance from the armored SUV to the club entrance.
The wealthy neighborhood where Duarte and Rodríguez meet to conduct their business stands in sharp contrast to the rest of the impoverished town.
The small haven of opulence is surrounded by a ring of squalor, which is hemmed in by miles of wild jungle.
The wealth disparity disgusts me, but my contempt is directed at those who choose to remain in poverty, not the elites who rule over their territory. Any of them could choose to work with the cartel, to do what’s necessary to lift their families up out of their shitty circumstances.
But not all men have the guts to wade through blood and sin to take what they need. That’s their own shortcoming.
I don’t want Evelyn to see any of it, so I’ll keep her close during my meeting with Adrián Rodríguez.
As we enter the club, two armed men open the double doors for us—they’re military, either Colombian or Ecuadorian.
Their nationality doesn’t matter. They’re on Rodríguez’s payroll.
They’re paid to look the other way while he traffics his product over the border.
We don’t have anything to fear from the authorities in this lawless town in the remote jungle.
The territory is utterly unfamiliar to me, but I hide my disquiet behind a confident, cool mask.
I’m accustomed to the streets of Naples and the complexities of urban criminal warfare.
This wilderness makes me edgy; I rarely face the unknown.
I make sure to be thoroughly in control of every possible scenario when I’m conducting my business.
But I’m in Rodríguez’s world now. I’ll have to handle myself carefully to ensure the notoriously sadistic drug lord’s friendship.
Otherwise, Evelyn and I will be isolated out here. I refuse to put her at risk.
I trace the line of diamonds that encircles her slender neck: a collar marking my ownership of this stunning creature. If I could attach a leash to it tonight, I would.
But Evelyn would balk at that, and I don’t want to spook her. Not when she gave herself to me so sweetly. She entrusted me with her dark secrets, just as I craved. The imbalance between us is rectified. I’m thoroughly in control again.
Admiring the way my diamonds shimmer on her delicate collarbones, calm settles over me. Evelyn is safe in my care, and I can conduct my business without distraction or worry for her. She doesn’t like my business, but she’ll become accustomed to it.
“Massimo!” Stefano greets me warmly, as though we’ve been best friends for years.
His mercurial nature is designed to keep me off balance, but I meet him with a carefully crafted, charming smile of my own.
His black shark’s eyes flick to Evelyn. “I’m surprised you brought your lovely companion. But I’m sure Adrián will be pleased to meet you both.”
Despite his jovial tone, I know he isn’t delighted at her presence. She’s an outsider. Until a few days ago, she’d been engaged to one of his enemies.
I run my thumb over the diamond collar. Duarte’s sharp eyes note the possessive gesture.
“Evelyn belongs with me,” I say smoothly. “I couldn’t leave her all by herself in that big, empty mansion.”
I let him read the truth in my words: I won’t be parted from her.
He tips his head at me, accepting the situation. I have Evelyn under my control, and she won’t cause any trouble for him. She doesn’t belong to George Crawford anymore, and she isn’t a threat to Duarte’s business.
I wish Carmen were here to put Evelyn at ease, but I understand why the cartel queen stayed in Mexico City. After Los Zetas’ brazen attack in their territory, one of them needs to remain in their stronghold to oversee security.
“Come join us,” Stefano invites with a sweep of his arm, gesturing toward a cluster of armchairs in the back corner.
A dark-haired man occupies one of them, and a massive guard stands stone-faced at his back. He’s about my size—well over six feet tall and roped with muscle. If I so much as look at Adrián Rodríguez the wrong way, he’s prepared to snap my neck.
At least, he can try. We’d be evenly matched, and I have Evelyn’s safety to worry about. If he sparks my protective fury, he will die before he gets anywhere near her.
I manage to keep the threatening tension from gripping my body as I saunter behind Stefano to join the men.
Acting like a brutish caveman won’t do me any favors tonight.
These are my new, dangerous friends, and I need them on my side.
I have to secure the alliance and keep my promise to Gian and Enzo.
When we reach them, my eyes adjust to the dim lighting in the shadowed corner.
The stage is by the bar, and the riotous music that fills the club is notably quieter this far away.
Our conversation won’t be overheard, but we won’t have to shout over the music.
The setting is ideal for a clandestine meeting.
“Massimo, this is Adrián.” Stefano introduces us. “Adrián, this is our new Italian friend I’ve told you so much about, Massimo Imperiale.”
Adrián doesn’t stand to greet us. He remains reclined in his chair, his only acknowledgment of the introduction a slight inclination of his head.
He’s a king in his own domain, and he bows to no one.
His green eyes seem to glow through the darkness, studying me with an intensity that would make a weaker man squirm.
I meet him head-on, offering him a warm smile. “I’m looking forward to our new friendship.”
He cocks his head, a cunning snake. His cold eyes cut to Evelyn.
I tense, but Stefano quickly says, “Evelyn is with Massimo. He didn’t want her getting bored at the mansion all by herself.”
“Are you so easily bored?” he drawls, addressing her. “Can you not spend a few hours away from your beloved?”
She stiffens, but she edges toward me.
“I want to stay close to Massimo,” she declares, her voice ringing out clearly. She might be intimidated, but she doesn’t cower. “He keeps me safe.”
Adrián’s dark brows rise to his artfully tousled black hair. “Do you feel unsafe in my territory?”
She swallows but met his challenging gaze.
“I want to stay with Massimo,” she repeats, avoiding answering his question directly.
It’s a trap, and she’s clever enough not to get caught in it. If she’d admitted that she’s afraid to be alone in his territory, he would pounce on the insult. She didn’t give him the opportunity to rebuke us.
Again, she’s pledged her loyalty to me, staring down one of the most dangerous men in the world. The urge to sweep her up in a hungry kiss is almost overwhelming. This strong, stunning woman belongs to me. She gives herself to me willingly. Fearlessly.
“The girl isn’t a threat,” the big man at Adrián’s back interjects, his voice deep like rolling thunder.
The cartel kingpin glances at his bodyguard, mild irritation tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“I can see that, Mateo.” His sharp gaze pierces me once again. “You are both welcome to join us.” He gestures at the empty armchair directly across from him.
Stefano sits beside his Colombian partner, and I take the offered chair. It’s barely big enough to accommodate me, so I place Evelyn on my lap.
She sits stiffly, clearly uncomfortable with the arrangement. I place my hand on her hip, giving her a light squeeze to ground her to me. She blows out a soft sigh and relaxes a fraction.
“As I was saying,” Stefano says to his friend, “Massimo has come to us with a very profitable proposal. His associates are already back in Italy arranging the final details.”
“I know,” Adrián replies in that cold drawl. “You don’t have to put on a show, Stefano. I’ve overseen some of the arrangements myself. This meeting wouldn’t be happening if I weren’t already committed to the deal.”
“Yes,” Stefano allows with an almost maniacal grin. “But this way, we all get to have a drink together.”
Adrián sighs. “It’s always a party with you. I prefer business. You can be very tedious, Duarte.”
“You can go home to Valentina soon enough.” Stefano is the picture of a sympathetic friend. “I know how you hate to leave your wife.”
“Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth unless you want to lose your tongue.” The threat is calm and cold.
“Adrián,” Stefano chides. “Massimo will think we’re not truly friends.” He turns his black eyes on me. “It’s just his way,” he explains. “He has a reputation to uphold.”
Yes, I’ve heard about Adrián Rodríguez’s reputation for sadism and calculating cruelty. I don’t like having him so close to Evelyn, but as long as I remain in his favor, that fearsome reputation will provide protection for us both. No one crosses him, especially not this deep in his own territory.
“I have a lot of respect for you and your operation,” I tell him.
“My associates and I chose to approach you and Stefano for this deal because we trust that you have the strength and resources to foster a profitable alliance. I came to Colombia because I would like to be your friend. We could make a lot of money together.”
Adrián considers me for a long moment, then gestures to a server. The man appears out of the shadows, waiting to see to his boss’ every need.
“Get my friends something to drink.” He issues the command lazily, as though he isn’t making a significant gesture.
With that one order, he’s accepting our alliance and cementing our deal. Gian, Enzo, and I now control the cocaine trafficking route from the source in Colombia to the European market. We’ll be richer than gods, and we’ll be powerful enough to eventually stage our coup back home.
I offer Adrián and Stefano a real, savage smile, not bothering to hide the triumph in my eyes. We all just became wealthier than we ever could’ve dreamed.
The server hurries off to fetch us something from the bar. I don’t care what it is; I’ll toast with whatever they chose to serve me.