Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
What really got his cock hard was politics, and that was always where the biggest corruption existed to begin with. Vicente was no exception to the rule. I was just another connection to another country he wanted ties with.
I could physically feel his glare burning a hole in my face like a ticking grenade. We didn’t have much of a relationship. At least not anymore, leaving so much animosity and unfinished business looming between us. Building up more and more with each passing year.
As far as I was concerned…
He didn’t own me.
Not now.
Not ever.
I watched his every move as he made his way to my table and his guards sat in the empty chairs beside him. I stood, embracing him. Both patting each other’s backs. From an outsider looking in, we appeared to be two old friends greeting each other.
It was all bullshit.
I only embraced people for one reason—I wanted to feel and mentally count how many guns they were strapped with. We sat, chatting like old times for a few minutes, reminiscing about this and that. Trying to portray his ambush for anything other than a fucking threat before we finally got down to business.
“How many kilos in the crates?” he asked.
“As many as I want,” I nonchalantly replied.
“I suggest no more than ten kilos and ten crates. That’s enough to keep the cops away. I can have those transported over here in no time. I’ll get my men on it as soon as I get back. How do you want it shipped over? I can get a private plane with no hassle.”
I shook my head. “This isn’t the sixties anymore. They’re watching every flight coming in and out of South America. They have for decades.”
“You have all your clubs and all your tourism. The drugs and pussy are always where the money is at. Don’t you want the best for your guests? I have a few names I can contact in Miami. I know some feds who I can call in a favor. I can also reach out to Cruz Martinez. That son of a bitch knows everyone. It’s the least I could do.”
I didn’t want to start a war.
Not right now.
Too much was at stake.
So I did the only thing I could do—I played nice. “I appreciate that, but now’s not the time.”
“We’ve done business in the past.”
“That’s the past. Right now, I prefer to use boat transportation during the night. It’s the most cost-effective too.”
“No problem. Whatever you want. It’s not about the money, Luke. We’re old comrades, and I’m here to help you,” he answered, never taking his eyes off me.
And I never took my stare off him, sizing him up the whole fucking time.
Unable to hold my tongue any longer, I casually remarked, “You’re being awfully cooperative for a man known to be the exact opposite. From what I know, you’re nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
“I—”
I put my hand up in the air, silencing him. “How does that saying go? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Is that why you’re here uninvited?”
“I heard you were in town. I’m just trying to have a friendly conversation with one of my dearest allies. Getting to know him man to man.”
“You mean what you were doing last month? I know what you were up to. I have eyes everywhere.”
He froze, completely caught off guard by my question.
I smiled. “Oh, that got your attention, yeah?” I leaned onto the table, cocking my head to the side. “Or better yet, next time you try to come in here with your bullshit cooperation, I suggest you cover your tracks.”
His eyes widened, his mind spinning as he calculated his next move. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I stood from my chair, placing my hands in the pockets of my slacks. “I don’t? No disrespect, but what exactly were you doing at the American Embassy last month?”
I blinked, and one of his guards was in my face, aiming his gun…
Right between my eyes.
CHAPTER
FOUR
LUKE
I didn’t even flinch, unfazed by the cool metal on my forehead. Grinning big and wide, I dared him to pull the trigger.
“That’s enough!” Vicente roared, his voice echoing off the walls.
Stepping back and away from him, I rasped, “But the fun just got started.”
His guard didn’t waver, redirecting the aim of his gun to my chest. Snidely smiling, he thought he gained the upper hand. I leisurely glanced down, looking at the red laser mark now placed over my heart. I couldn’t help but grin as I slowly gazed up through the slits of my eyes. I waited a few seconds before taking the backs of my fingers and wiping away his target as if it was just a speck of dust.
Mocking him.
“Fuck this,” I harshly exclaimed, pulling my gun out from the back of my slacks.