Chapter 9 #2
It was fascinating how they’d surfaced again after walking into yet another difficult situation.
I’d been supplied with a basic list of reported Torres holdings and at least a few verified locations of his warehouses.
I had no intention of starting a war, but providing a statement to support what Jago had heard from my lips would go a long way with earning respect from my soldiers.
At least that’s what I hoped.
Only I sensed immediately the uphill battle would continue.
There were forty or so soldiers awaiting my arrival.
Every one of them had a scowl on their face as if I was the clear and dangerous enemy.
Even Antonio remained tense as he’d been since rattling off possibilities where a decent and successful strike could be performed.
This was all about a message sent to Jago, but he’d acted as if there was no chance at success.
Maybe there wasn’t, but I wouldn’t be content without trying.
God, I was in way over my head.
A wave of fear unlike anything I’d felt threatened to tear me apart.
Never let them see you sweat.
It was something else I’d been taught, but the words were meant for standing in front of a difficult witness or unruly criminal, not men who could carve me up and eat me for breakfast without batting an eye.
I’d tossed clothes from my suitcases on my bed until I’d found something suitable to wear.
I’d taken a clue from Emiliano, choosing dark jeans, a black shirt, and black chunky boots instead of heels.
I’d stared at myself in the mirror, finally heading to my father’s safe where I’d selected a weapon to carry.
I’d been taught at an early age how to shoot using various weapons.
That had been at my father’s insistence.
Had I been forced to brandish a gun let alone pull the trigger since then?
Not a snowball’s chance in hell.
Maybe it was a prop, but I felt safer having it positioned in a shoulder holster that felt suffocating. The men didn’t move when I walked in, at least at first. It took me coming closer, standing within inches of two different men I’d yet to meet for the group to part almost like the Red Sea.
Images of the analogy squelched a few of my nerves, but certainly not all.
With so much at stake, I couldn’t waste time with many formalities. At least every man remained quiet, so much so the silence was even more unnerving.
When I noticed Marco standing in the rear of the group, the same heated venom in his eyes, I didn’t allow anyone to realize I was wishing for my kid brother again.
The one who’d enjoyed playing football in the backyard, even fishing with my father.
That had been their thing until Marco had deemed it childish.
I’d never seen such hurt in my father’s eyes as I had on that day.
I stood feeling like a shrimp in a lobster farm, my skin itching from nervousness, but I allowed my booming voice to roar.
“You know who I am, at least by reputation. I am Genevieve Morales, the firstborn of Lord Julio. As you are well aware, my father was murdered in cold blood. Because of that, you are now under my command.”
As expected, a few of the man dared to either snort, hiss, or whisper curses.
“Enough! You might not like the hand that was dealt, but guess what? Neither do I. However, I have a business to run and I intend on doing so with or without your help. It’s your choice.
If you don’t like it or my methods, there’s the fucking door.
” I stopped long enough to point toward the entrance.
“However, if you choose to leave and I learn you’ve gone to work for any other motherfucker who challenged my father or would do so with me as the new drug lord, I will hunt you down. Is that understood?”
At least a few of the men had the decency to look uncomfortable.
“I asked. Is that understood?”
Most nodded in agreement. That was all I was going to get at this point.
“Now, as you’ve also likely heard, we’re under indirect attack already.
Some would like to think our organization is weak.
That includes the Torres Empire. I will not tolerate being challenged by anyone, including a pompous prick.
Therefore, a message needs to be sent. We are going to torch the Torres warehouse located on Carrer de Petritxol .
Unfortunately, the area is well known for tourists and locals alike.
This isn’t an effort to burn down the world, but a targeted hit.
Therefore, not a single person will be harmed and the fire will be contained. ”
Something else I’d learned, partly on my own, was about explosives. With the correct mechanism, damage would be done without destroying anything further away than twenty to fifty feet.
The building I’d selected was small, which meant the product loss would be as well, but it would provide a tremendous warning.
“ Que perra tan estúpida .”
Such a stupid bitch.
The statement was made just loudly enough for others to hear. Both Emiliano and Antonio bristled, each taking a long stride forward, but I stopped them in their tracks.
“No. I’ll handle this.” My voice echoed even though the rafters were over two stories tall. I’d almost had a panic attack inside my bathroom in thinking about being forced into committing acts of violence.
Yes, I’d been trained by my father to survive attempted kidnappings and what to do if I was taken hostage.
I’d been taught to use weapons of all types and had learned how to fight using both traditional forms and martial arts.
I’d taken up boxing as a sport in New York to keep myself fit, but that meant nothing when standing in front of rough men with tattoos and scars.
Everything was a test right now. Every decision made and piece of clothing selected. Even every drink I consumed would be scrutinized. I couldn’t back down even though I was certain I’d be forced to retch the two cups of coffee I’d consumed.
I didn’t need to push my way through the group to get to the man who’d made the nasty comment. Fortunately for me, he stood only about five foot eight, slightly shorter than my height and with my boots, the difference worked to my benefit.
At least in my mind.
“You have something to say to me?” I asked, keeping my anger from showing.
He snorted and looked away.
Now I was furious. I gripped his jaw, yanking his head back so he was forced to look into my eyes. “ Se dice que los hombres estúpidos son los que no tienen oídos .”
It is said stupid men are those without ears.
I’d heard my father say those very words to more than one soldier.
I ripped out the same knife I’d used on Jago, almost shivering from remembering the closeness of our heated bodies and the shock of electricity we’d shared.
“If that is the truth, then since you’re an imbecile, you won’t need your ears any longer.
” I shifted my grip to his right ear, holding the blade against his earlobe.
“No!” he screamed and that was his admittance he’d been wrong. The only one I’d get.
I cocked my head, cognizant at least a few of the men were impressed I hadn’t flinched, others perhaps slightly fearful of me.
I counted to ten before letting him go. “One chance. You get one. No others.” After returning the knife to the holder, I started to turn away and was shocked he had the nerve to issue a sucker punch.
He caught me in the side. The pain was blinding and I almost doubled over but gritted my teeth instead.
He backed away and so did every other man close to him.
After sucking in my breath, I chose not to flinch or show any pain as I spun around, the move gathering momentum. When I came back to center, I’d extended my leg, catching him directly in the face.
He was pummeled backward and I didn’t stop there, dropping down and issuing several brutal punches to his face. After a few powerful hits, the fucker’s eyes rolled into the back of his head, his single grunt exactly what I’d wanted to hear.
My hand throbbed almost immediately, but I jerked up his head by his hair, lifting my head and glaring at different men.
Emiliano and Antonio stood just a couple of feet away, my commander fighting the amusement I noticed flickering in his eyes.
“This kind of shit will not be tolerated. Any disobedience and your punishment will be much worse. Get him the fuck out of here, but not without a parting gift. Antonio. It’s your choice.
I’m in a charitable mood.” I rose to my feet and raked my hand through my hair.
“Pick a group of five. After that, we leave in thirty minutes.”
“It’s bright daylight outside,” Antonio reminded me.
“Don’t worry. I do know what I’m doing.” I patted him on the chest before taking my time exiting the building the same way I’d come in.
Once outside, Emiliano was suddenly right by my side.
Meanwhile, I was holding my stomach, envisioning what body part Antonio would begrudgingly cut off the man.
“What the fuck was that?” he growled.
“What had to be done.” Christ. I didn’t recognize my voice.
“Maybe you didn’t pay attention to the information Antonio provided by the building you’re determined to hit is wired for sight and sound.
Doing it under the cover of darkness is dangerous, but in the middle of the day?
You either want the team to get caught or killed.
I wasn’t going to say anything in front of the soldiers, but you need to rethink this. ”
I stopped walking and turned toward him.
“Maybe you don’t remember, but my father actually spent time with his little girl doing hobbies.
Since I didn’t like to go fishing with him, I managed to convince him to allow me to tag along on certain less dangerous jobs.
I learned quite a bit about security systems and explosives during my formative years.
I assure you I chose this building for a reason. ”
He reared back. “They don’t keep much product inside.”
“Correct, at least if the information Antonio provided is true. If not, then I guess I’ll be forced to face the consequences for his incompetence.”
He dropped his head, half laughing. “You are entirely different being back home.”
“Yeah, well, that’s what happens when you cradle your dead’s father head in your lap.” I was forced to take a deep breath. My heart ached all over again.
“You do know Torres will retaliate.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.” Although I wasn’t certain what I was wishing for any longer.
The dangerous game was one I had no business playing and everyone knew it, especially the woman sworn to uphold the law cowering inside.
“One last thing. Drop the body of the asshole who shot my father outside his front gates.”
“Genevieve.”
“As of now, you’ll call me ma’am or Madame Morales.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I heard the edge in his voice and softened. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Emiliano, but I need to maintain a persona as if I do.”
“I get it. Are you okay?”
My hand ached like a son of a bitch.
“No. Get me the fuck out of here. I’m going to throw up.”