“I’ll rip out your fucking throat, Blanco,” I growl, unable to curb the volcano of seething anger inside me. “Do you hear me?” My stomach knots, my body primed for a fresh fight.
Carlos slides his phone back into his pocket. “I’d rather we didn’t talk about what should happen to the girl. Let’s discuss whatshouldhappen next. It doesn’t always have to be hostility and bloodshed. Your Papá is six feet under Giovanni. You’re free to make up your own mind without his paranoia interfering with your life decisions. The man stole your childhood… why not make the future your own?”
My ferocious gaze could melt the skin off his face as I quietly mull his words over in my head. I took a risk exposing myself tonight and escorting India to prom––a rite of passage for a school leaver and the biggest social event of her year. But it's what she had wanted, and I’d give her a galaxy of stars if she asked for it. I don’t regret it for a second. What I do regret is this man knowing she exists.
No matter what truths he rattles off about my father, I don’t trust this fucker. Never will either. Carlos isn’t selfless, loyal, or a devoted godfather. He’s none of those things.
The North Colombian traitor runs a much lesser cartel. Now that my sociopathic, control freak father is out of the picture, the bastard wants to slither into his Armani shoes—over my dead body.
“My father’s death is convenient for you, isn’t it?” I hitch my chin at him. “Makes you feel like you could take on the world with no one to stop you?”
“It’s only convenient if you take up my offer.” Carlos narrows his eyes. “This would benefitus. I’d have access to a squad of specialist mercenaries, and you’d have their full respect. You’re a legendary sicario in your own right—so why not build a bigger legacy? And as a bonus, the girl would be safe. I’d call off my dogs.”
I bare my teeth at him. “Even if you don’t call off your guys, I’d happily kill every fucker who came for her until you ran out of men willing to put their lives on the line for nothing.”
His brows pinch together. “And in the meantime, what kind of life would she have?”
“Fuck you!” I spit out the force of the truth winding me. “Do you think I’m stupid, old man? That I’d train an army for you to send after Tommy.”
“I don’t want the rest of Colombia, Giovanni.” He deadpans. “I want Europe. André has moved into new territory out there, hasn’t he? I’m just expanding my own empire. And like I said, you’d head up the team.”
“So, I’d have complete control over them?”
“We both would. They’d be loyal to you…" He points at me and returns his finger to indicate himself. “…andme. Which means neither of us would have reason to wage war on the other. I’ll hand pick a few of my best sicarios. Men who are mediocre compared to you, of course. But are on my payroll.” He laughs at that and smiles. “And you would choose your own.”
I breathe in and out, my head thumping and throat dry. “But I work alone.”
“You’ve got to move with the times, or you’ll end up alone and paranoid. Sound familiar?” He smirks. “Our joint venture would create a team of lethal disciples who’d follow your every command.”
“I can recruit soldiers without your help, Carlos.”
He shrugs. “Yeah, you could. But that little princess of yours deserves to live a long and happy life. I have contacts too, Giovanni. Powerful people who’d love to know an important Souza secret. Wherever you take her, there will always be a price on her head. Unless…”
10
GIOVANNI
Present
I jog along a dark tunnel, pass through a cross section, and swiftly move into a concealed control room where a montage of screens displays an underground matrix.
A few years ago, our Souza construction team had spent eighteen months drilling into the rock, paid handsomely to extend the main cave and turn it into a hideout for a nameless, eccentric billionaire.
No one knew that guy was me.
It’s far enough away from Blackwater so the two would never be associated with each other. Yet close enough to use as a safehouse if ever we came under attack.
That’s the ease of having drug money at our fingertips. We can more or less buy whatever the fuck we want. My twin purchases custom mega yachts to anchor off the sunshine coast. Whereas I create unsuspecting private residences to ensure my son’s safety, myfamilia––and now that includes her––the one woman I can’t stop thinking about.
I drop into a high-back chair in front of the monitors and peel off the balaclava, tossing it on the desk. My emblem faces upwards—a red dragon is embroidered directly where a mouth hole should be. That’s how The Covenant identifies me when we're disguised and in training. How they know who’d end their life in a heartbeat.
My trainees expect me to be out there too, roaming the passages like they are. It almost makes me laugh that they actually think I’d scurry around in an elaborate game of hide and seek. I’d rather observe the competition from here and study their form before slipping back into the shadows when they are completely bamboozled.
Taking the satellite phone out of my thigh pocket, I stare at it and resist the impulsive urge to call India. She’d suffered enough grief over her brother’s death, and me disappearing only added to her heartbreak.
I couldn’t let her mourn me too or have Leo sense her constant worry. He’s used to me being away from home for a few days, and Lola always keeps him occupied.
So, I had to do something for her. Yet another risk. But it was worth it just to see the smile on her face while I sat in this seat and watched her on the big screen.
