Page 119 of No Merciful Corruption

“He has a point.” Don Luis Alberto agrees. “Half of the Families at this table are vulnerable and experiencing a transition of power. Do we really want to run the risk of allowing another Don into the fold during such a precarious moment in time? We managed to come out on the other side of the last conflict by the skin of our teeth. And Sandro Sandoval had to die for that to happen.”

Regina says, “My vote was no. And it will continue to be no. We don’t need to keep a perfect twelve. It’s more trouble than it’s worth.”

The room descends into conversational chaos for the next half hour until Don Rubin finally brings the vote to a formal close. Everyone disperses and on the way out, break apart into their own separate groups. Javier, Regina, and I leave together.

“What did you think?” Javier asks.

“I thought it was bullshit.” I answer honestly. “And I think someone in this group is acting on the Ortizes’ behalf and I want to know why. There’s something here we’re missing. Why the desperation to install a thirteenth Don so quickly?”

Regina’s lips press together in concentration. “I wonder if Ortiz has some sort of unspoken alliance with one of them. Like if they agree to help install him in the coalition, he’ll give them something in exchange.”

“Money? Territory?” Javier suggests.

“Ortiz is dominating the drug trade right now. Every college-aged student from here to Ibiza is using his product. The night clubs are flooding with it.” Regina reaches into her purse and pulls out her car keys. “We just have to think about who would have the most to gain from this.”

“And who lacks loyalty,” I remark bitterly.

Javier turns to me. “You’re taking this personally when you shouldn’t. For the first time in fifty years, there is going to be a huge and monumental power shift in this city when your lease expires and you take your empire fully legitimate. An opportunity like this will not present itself again for another two generations. You cannot trust anyone. Not even us.”

“He’s right.” Regina says. “With that much power at stake, the Dons are capable of anything. Even the ones we think can be trusted can be turned. It’s best if we keep things between us three.”

“Or better yet, we don’t share anything at all.”

Javier bows his head at us in farewell.

Don Cayetano’s mansion in the hills of Pedralbes is obnoxiously large and obnoxiously gaudy. So much marble, gold, and bulky wood furniture. The second we step outside isn’t any better. The lawn is nearly overtaken by a massive water fountain and an extravagant tile driveway leads to a five-car garage. Whatever vehicles didn’t fit inside parked in the driveway or just on the carb and Regina and I watch as the Dons take turns leaving.

“I’ll tell you one thing.” She sighs. “This is the first time where I feel completely lost. I have no idea where to start.”

“Hey!”

We look over and Pedro waves at us. “I got your text. I ended up parking a block away, I brought the car to the corner.”

I turn to Regina. “Need a ride?”

She shakes her head. “No, thank you. I have somewhere else to be and it’s nearby.”

We say goodbye with a chaste peck on the cheek. “Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

On the walk back to the car I fill Pedro in on this evening’s meeting. In recent years, I’ve mostly foregone the need for a security chaperone. It didn’t feel necessary and I know Dahlia has been much happier without one of the men following her around all the time. However, I always bring someone when I meet with the other Dons. I’d never trust them so completely.

“Do you guys have any idea of who might be helping Simón Ortiz?” Pedro asks.

“None. We don’t even know where to start because in theory, it could be anyone. Regina and Javier had a point. This kind of power and control could turn even the most faithful ally.”

He doesn’t say anything right away. “Why don’t you leave it to me?”

I frown and cast him a look. He unlocks the car doors and we get inside, me in the passenger’s seat, him in the driver’s. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, the men hear things. Security details talk. Simón Ortiz’s detail is unhappy. We could flip one. Gather intel.”

“Are they really so disloyal? I find that hard to believe.”

“Simón is basically new money.” Pedro explains. “He appeared out of thin air two years ago. Everyone around him can be bought. His family isn’t like ours or any of the others. Many of us have been serving the same people practically all of our lives. It’s different. Money can turn them. Trust me.”

It’s been a long time since Pedro took initiative on something like this. Ever since the fire a few years ago I can admit to putting Pedro in the backseat because I couldn’t bring myself to trust him anymore. I was angry and blinded by the emotion and I blamed him for something that wasn’t really his fault. One way or another, Sandro was going to find his way to Dahlia whether it was in a fire at the lounge, on the streets in broad daylight, while she was on campus, or in our own home. His mind was set on ruining her to get to me and nothing was going to stop him.