The things I want to do to this mouth.
“You think he’ll show up?” she asks.
Releasing her, I nod. The sonovabitch had better show up. He’s put this meeting off long enough while he scrambles to put himself in a better position.
“I gave him an ultimatum. Show up or declare war. When we get there, we’ll know what he decides.”
Ángel grunts. “And the Sidorovs?”
“Adrián took care of it. They won’t be a problem.” Ruben thought Maxim’s family would come to his aid. That they’d wage war right alongside him and paint the streets of Richland red.
Idiot.
Adrián dealt with the Sidorovs the night I stole Castro’s daughter. I might not have known what my intentions were for her then, but I’ve known from day one that I’d never allow her to walk down the aisle to Maxim Sidorov.
From what Adrián said, Maxim is pissed he’s lost her, but his feelings are irrelevant. He’s not in charge, nor is he his family’s heir.
Dmitri Sidorov has assured us that his son won’t be a problem, despite whatever tantrums he throws. His father won’t go to war over a woman. Not when a trade agreement with me is more lucrative than a marriage contract that is attached to a sinking ship.
Something Adrián told him all about.
We’ve been tracking Ruben’s business dealings for years now. I have a man inside with access to Castro’s financials. He’s given us their monthly statements. Copies of his books. All the proof we need to paint the kind of picture that has a man like Sidorov quickly backing away.
Castro is bleeding money. I’m surprised he can afford to pay his men. Though, based on his accounts, his ability to do so won’t last much longer. Leticia’s inheritance agreement stipulates that she and her husband have no position or authority to lead until she is thirty-five years of age. The Castro Cartel won’t survive long enough to see that day. A fact my brother made abundantly clear.
Dmitri is a smart man. With too much risk and too little reward, he’s cutting his losses and ensuring he doesn’t make an enemy of me. I’m one of the few men in this town who rival his empire, and money and power talk.
I don’t like Dmitri. Children reflect their parentage, making Maxim the apple that didn’t fall far from the tree. But I respect the choices he makes in business. He isn’t a stupid man. He keeps his hands clean. Or as clean as they can be in our line of work.
Holding my hand out to Leticia, I help her into the car.
“Thank you,” she mutters.
Leaning over her, I secure the safety belt over her lap.
“I can buckle myself.”
I’m aware. “It is my job to protect you. Accept it.”
Rolling her eyes, she huffs out a breath. “Whatever.”
Closing her door, I turn to my brother. “Hold down the fort. We’ll be back in a few hours.”
“Are you sure you want to take her with you?” He questions.
“Yes.” She has to be there. Ruben isn’t a reasonable man, and for what I have planned, her presence is required.
“Very well.” His silver eyes bore into mine. “Don’t die. I expect all of you to come back.”
Nodding my head, I climb into the passenger seat beside Rio. “I have no intention of losing any of my men.” There is always a risk. But with any luck, it won’t come to that.
“I mean it,” he says, worry shining in his eyes.
“I know.” I clasp his hand with mine. “I’ll be back.”
Satisfied, he turns and walks back through the gates.
Rio puts the car into drive and the others pull out behind us. I have three men in each of the other SUVs. Each hand picked for their skills. “Are you sure about this?” Rio asks, keeping his voice pitched low.
Looking in the rearview mirror, I look back at Leticia, catching her gaze.
“Yes,” I tell him. “No matter the cost.” Her eyes flash. “Whatever it takes.”
