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To any casual observer, they were merely two men, no weapons, but Boss knew Viko just as Viko knew him. They had weapons on them, but kept them hidden in the most convenient of places.
“Graciella is mine. She belongs to me and will eventually become part of the Killer of Kings.”
Viko’s insane laughter echoed around the room. “Okay, now I know you’re crazy. Do you really think that woman has what it takes to run an empire as stoic as Killer of Kings? Damn, you’re going to be down when it comes to business. Graciella will run you guys into the ground. First, she doesn’t take orders from anyone.”
“What do you call what she does for you then?”
“Oh, I give her orders but she doesn’t follow them. You’re alive, aren’t you?”
Boss folded his arms. As with all meetings with Viko, he was starting to grow bored. This was getting them nowhere. “I’ve long ago accepted that I won’t kill you, Viko. We’re too evenly matched and regardless of what I think of your little organization, you actually do the right thing. The good thing.”
“Aw, are you getting all sentimental in your old age, Boss?”
“I’ll give you Renzo Bianchi. He’s the man you want. In return, you grant me Graciella’s freedom.” He took a step from behind the desk. He was done playing nice. “You will never call on her. Never ask her for help. You will leave her alone. Free and clear. As far as you’re concerned, Graciella, Widow Maker, or whatever it is you fucking call her doesn’t exist. She is free to be with me.” He wasn’t smiling anymore. Too much was at stake.
He didn’t come here to banter with Viko.
This bastard had already spent too much time sharing the same air as him.
Viko chuckled. “You really expect me to believe that? You’re going to give me a cartel in exchange for a piece of pussy you’ve already fucked?”
“Be careful,” he said. “My offer ends in a matter of minutes and I want you to think carefully before you give me an answer. It’s a limited offer, but if you decide to make this difficult for Graciella or me, then I will personally see to it that Renzo has the best life money can buy. He’ll never suffer a day in his life. Other than funding the drugs and running a cartel, he’s kind of like a stand-up guy. Everyone who died from taking those drugs, they’re collateral damage.”
He stared at Viko, waiting, then he continued, “If that’s not enough to persuade you, we’re evenly matched, but your boys aren’t. Where they go, I’ll be there. I’ll become your biggest fucking nightmare. Business will be affected. I guarantee it. In fact, I even look forward to the prospect of ruining you and running Circle of Monsters into the ground. All you’ve got to do is grant Graciella her freedom, and I will personally hand you Renzo. You’ll have your peace.” It didn’t matter to him what happened to the bastard. Bain had nearly died because of the drugs.
He would see it through if Viko made the wrong choice.
Silence stretched out.
To anyone else, this would make for an uncomfortable debate, for Boss, this was where he was most comfortable. No one could best him. Not even Viko.
“What if I need the Widow Maker’s expertise?” Viko asked, surprising him. “She’s rare, Boss. Take away her owing me, she’s still damn good at what she does.”
“Simple, you come to me. You need her for an assassin, I’ll be the one you call. Under no circumstances will she be selling herself. Her body is mine. Every part of her belongs to me.”
“Damn, brought down by a woman.”
Boss chuckled without humor. “Not at all. I can still walk away from you and take my little peace offering with me. I’m not weak, Viko. I’m right where I’m supposed to be. You want to see weak, look in the mirror. You’ve allowed your emotions to cloud your judgment one too many times. You could have taken Renzo, but your thirst for revenge kept it from you.” He shrugged. “What’s it going to be? Island life is starting to irritate me.”
Viko looked at him, his features set. Boss knew damn well he’d hit his hot buttons.
“You knew I’d take the deal. I don’t even know what you’re still doing here. Until Renzo is in my hands, I can still call for Graciella.”
Boss approached him and slammed the key against his chest. “He’s tied to your bed, waiting for whatever you want to give him.”
Viko caught the key as Boss moved away, heading for the door.
“You knew I’d take the deal?” Viko asked.
Boss glanced back. “The drugs killed your kid. I didn’t doubt for a second that you wouldn’t take the deal. I’ve never known that kind of pain. I can only begin to imagine how this case has been for you.”
“I hope for your sake you never feel it,” Viko said.
“Well, I hope for you, when you’ve done with Renzo, you’ll find some kind of peace, any peace.” Boss turned and left. He didn’t look back. There was no need to. Bain was still waiting for him in the boat. The big fucker had lost a little too much weight during his illness and from what his informants said, he kept hitting the gym and eating like there was no tomorrow.
“Did you get what you needed to?” Bain asked.
“Yes, let’s head home.” Renzo was going to die. By his hand or Viko’s, it didn’t really matter. He found an opportunity to save his woman and he took it. When it came to Graciella, he would do everything for her. She owned his heart, and he intended to show her a world full of love, and a whole lot of killing.
