Page 14 of Traitor
“Repeat one more time.”
I nodded. “Black.”
I heard shuffling on the other end of the line. “Name and date?”
I peered over my shoulder. “Lorenzo Lucchese, and as soon as possible.”
“Mode?”
I chuckled. “Get creative. He deserves it.”
“Activator?”
“Whoever’s up for the job. I don’t care if you send every single man you’ve got after him. Just do as I’m asking.”
I hung up the phone and drew in a deep breath before my back fell against a wall. I closed my eyes and gave myself a second to hang my head as I heard tires squealing away from the building. My men and I had a slew of code words that usually pertained to colors, and while my first instinct was to go with ‘purple’—or a hit—I knew that would only escalate things before I could get my hands on Char. So, I backtracked to ‘black’—which meant infiltration.
Now that my men had scoured Lorenzo’s property, I needed them to infiltrate and check on Char. Maybe not take her, but definitely check on her.
“Don’t fuck this up,” I whispered.
I pushed myself off the wall and held my head high as I slid my hands out of my pockets. I cracked my knuckles as I ventured down the hallway, making my way back toward the auction. I heard that woman speaking into the microphone and I rolled my eyes. I found my way back to my place at the back of the room and plucked another luscious snack from a passing silver tray. And as I plopped it into my mouth, a very beautiful bartender was at my side with the drink I had ordered before I followed Lorenzo down that hallway in the first place.
“Thank you, miss,” I said.
She didn’t look straight into my eyes. “Of course, sir, and if there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
I sipped my drink. “How much do you cost for the evening?”
She swallowed hard. “I’ve been told to tell suitors $600,000.”
I threw the rest of my drink back. “Get me another, and let your boss know you’re coming with me tonight.”
Tears lined her eyes. “Yes, sir.”
She plucked my drink out of my hand and I turned my gaze back to the stage. One by one, women were filed up front and I logged the names of the men that purchased them. After this auction, it would be time for me to hold another party. One where I could purchase these women for a discounted ‘sloppy seconds’ price and set them free.
Just like I had every intention of doing with the bartender I had just procured.
7
Rosana
I should’ve steppedout of the shadows whenever Mateo started walking back out into the main room. But, I enjoyed the darkness. It comforted me in times of stress and cloaked me whenever I needed to go unseen. It’s why my wardrobe never had any color to it. Just blacks, navies, and shades of gray.
It helped with the blending in I needed to do.
Nevertheless, I heard exactly what I needed to hear. I knew what Mateo’s plans were, and I slid my hand into my clutch purse. My men needed to be updated. They needed to know that my husband had stepped off the path and done something I didn’t think he had the balls to do.
But, I knew Mateo’s weakness.
I pressed the number ‘one’ and dialed it, listening as my cell phone started ringing immediately. It only got two rings in before the call was answered, though.
Just how I like it.
“Yes, Mrs. Emiliano?”
I grinned. “Lyle! Hello there, dear. I have a bit of a request.”
