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“Si,” I say without hesitation.
“Good, then I’ll let you know now, if you hurt her, I’ll hang your skin on your building.”
There’s no smile from either of us, no hint of fear from either side. Respect however… it’s reached new heights.
I’ve learned all I need to know in his threat and vice versa. Dice will be protected.
We both give a sharp nod at the same time before exiting the car.
As soon as he rounds the vehicle, Manuel’s all-knowing smirk is back in place.
It’s my ten-story construction building, one of my many companies, but this is the main hub for money laundering. Dirty money flows through from all of my connections. The French, Irish, Italians, Latinos and some Japanese bring their business to me, washing their dirty money and coming out clean.
As we walk in, Hector pulls up and quickly parks, followed by Jefa and Nico.
My guards check everyone but Hector and me, leaving their weapons in a safe with my security.
We enter the private elevator that will take us to the top level of the building, my office. As the doors close, Jefa, who has kept her eyes on me, speaks up, “I hear whispers about you, Alonso. Little rumors that you are the King of Chicago. El Mero Mero who follows the code of skin. Is this true?”
I tilt my head as she speaks, her Spanish accented voice flows like the hiss of a snake. I can tell she’s a cunning woman. She’d have to be in order to have the rep she does.
Her question is about the skin trade. She toned the question like she’s neither for nor against the vile trade, but one look at Nico’s white knuckles from my peripheral tells me they’re completely against it.
“That’s true, Jefa. The trade of flesh is off limits in my city. If I work with anyone who has their hands in that bucket, they are to leave that shit in their own territory. Sex trafficking is a sensetive thing to me and my crew, therefore it’s illegal in my laws.”
The elevator dings and the doors open but no one moves, even as my guard keeps the elevator from closing.
“Is this going to be a problem?” My question is directed to the smirking Jefa.
“Relax, compa. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn’t have to kill you for such a disgusting trade.”
She steps between everyone and exits the elevator.
Everyone chuckles, even Nico, as we follow behind her. The Cartel Queen leading the men. Fitting, even though this is my building. She reminds me of my sister.
Jefa walks straight to my mini bar and pours two glasses of bourbon before handing one off to Nico. As I round my desk, I note the time. Fuck, it’s late as hell and I want to be home already. I still need to have Rico interrogated and Isa taken care of, but this impromptu meeting must take place.
“What is your plan for the Reyes Familia?” Manuel asks once we're all seated. Hector stands next to me while the others sit on the other side of my mahogany desk.
I nod to Hector as I light a joint.
“The man we have in custody is Danny’s nephew and second in command. For close to a year now, he has been stalking Dice.” Hector says with a look of disgust on his face, “Until we interrogate Rico, we aren’t sure if Danny ordered that or not. We have gained information through various Reyes members that the Captains and Generals aren’t not satisfied with Danny, so his rule is on shaky ground. All were loyal to your father.”
“Which is why my father was murdered,” Manuel states as he lights a cigar.
“Correct,” I pick up for Hector, “Danny ordered a full blackout on the Cabello line without the counsel or input of his men. Dice’s mother and yours either fled or hid. Raquel gave your sister her last name and hid in plain sight. She was unknown until Rico found her and subsequently, Dice.”
“How do you play into all this, compa?” Manuel smooths a hand down his blood red tie as he tilts his head.
I inhale my smoke and hold it down for a moment as I watch Ibarra. Again, I can see he has Dice’s best interests at heart, but my promise comes back to me ten-fold. If he tries to take her from me under the guise of protecting her, I will kill him.
“She happened to be working at the bank I did a job on.”
Manuel narrows his eyes but Jefa busts up laughing, making our eyes turn to her.
“She’s as crazy as you, Manuel. I like her already.”
Ibarra looks back at me with a smirk, “She seems to have a taste for danger.”
