CHAPTER 29
Navarro
They say life comes in cycles. For every death there is a birth. Perhaps in my case a rebirth.
I’d spent so much of my life being angry that I’d forgotten the kind of joy true happiness could bring.
As I stood in the background, watching a meeting taking place, I felt the tickle of a warm breeze, which reminded me I had something special waiting for me only a few miles away. The woman I’d fallen in love with.
If a man like me could be allowed to love after the brutality and violence that had been such a significant portion of my life. As of today, that wouldn’t change. I was battle ready, watching the proceedings as if this was a state of the union address.
But tomorrow was a different day.
Jago’s soldiers were hiding in plain sight, protection for the monumental meeting between powerful cartel leaders.
Farid Fassi and Rafael Torres.
This was nothing but a masterful game of chess, the final moves being made. We had something Fassi was willing to burn down Spain to get.
The formula.
The very compound that would turn rocks into gems.
Salvatore had that formula in his possession. Or did he? Along for the exchange was the once brutal second in command of the Aldero Empire, Salvatore himself. Offered up like a cheap doll in exchange for a cease in the fighting and a promise for a new alliance. I leaned against the tree, scanning the perimeter to ensure Fassi hadn’t betrayed the meeting itself.
I’d wanted to laugh more than once, except two decades and hundreds of deaths had led to this moment. While it wasn’t my place to condemn Rafael as he’d been led down a dangerous and false path years before, I was furious that lives at been placed at risk, including that of two beautiful, strong women. I was also angry with Salvatore for the danger he’d placed his own daughters in.
He’d have his day in hell, penance for his actions. Plus, his actions could have cost him the love and respect of his two daughters.
Only time would tell, but I only imagine the kind of mental and emotional prison that would be.
The meeting location had been chosen for a reason, not only because it was away from prying eyes and innocent bystanders, but also because it was symbolic. How ironic a cemetery had been chosen.
This wasn’t my fight today. The honor belonged to Jago. Not that I didn’t long to put a bullet in Fassi’s head. I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t enjoy cutting his heart out with the knife my lovely bride to be never allowed to leave her possession. It would be appropriate after everything the bastard had put her sister through.
However, there was such a thing as protocol and since I was still commander of the Torres regime, it was my job to maintain loyalty and respect to the man I worked for.
And someone I considered a close friend.
I stood stoically watching as Fassi and his men entered the cemetery, taking all the typical precautions. The lure had been brilliant in my opinion.
Salvatore stood with two guards holding him prisoner while Rafael waited, dressed in a new Armani suit, standing with six of his most trusted men.
It was impossible not to scowl as I watched the story unfold. Yes, the anger remained, but at least for today, I was able to control it. The two men talked, almost as if they were old friends. Jago gave me a quick nod out of sight of anyone else. I unbuttoned my jacket, unfastening the holster, prepared for round two.
Only when Fassi turned as if directing his men to kill Salvatore did Jago appear, firing off the first shot. Fassi went down immediately, the bullet hole visible in the middle of his forehead. It was easier than he deserved, but the end had begun.
I raced forward the moment the gunfire littered the quiet beautiful morning. As planned, the two soldiers holding Salvatore protected his body with theirs as I rushed towardthem, grabbing Salvatore’s arm and immediately pulling him away from the melee. My goal was to keep the man alive.
“Keep your head down,” I told him, firing off a single shot as one of Fassi’s men realized what had happened and turned his weapon in our direction. Kruz flanked our side and together, we rushed Salvatore toward an awaiting SUV.
“Get him inside!” Kruz called.
As soon as Silvio and Benito had Salvatore inside, we spun around. The two of us worked in tandem, each snagging one of Fassi’s soldiers.
The attack was over within three minutes.
Then once again, the cemetery was quiet, only the sound of birds rushing away from the scene heard. Seconds later, I glanced up at the sky, marveling in the sight of a rainbow.
