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Before I could continue the conversation, Manuel spoke up again. “If you embark down this path, you are not talking about snuffing themcompletelyout, right?” he asked. “Blood for blood is just the head of the man responsible, not an entire organization.”

“Well…” I inhaled a deep breath, considering it. We hadn’t made any decisions like that quite yet because we needed everything in a certain order before we moved at all. “I think we have to just cross that bridge when we come to it,” I told him, meeting his gaze without backing down.

After I said that, Manuel stared at me for a long moment before he nodded. “I’m sure we can fill in any gaps in distribution that might occur. Especially if we could potentially move product with thePredators—”

“Noton the table,” I said, immediately shutting the idea down.

“I don’t think we can leave anything off the table at this point,” he countered coolly.

“We most certainly can,” I offered right back, in an equally impassive tone. “Predatorsno longer deal in extralegal activity of any type, outside of single-event exceptions for official club business. Our hands will not touch your product,” I said, making myselfabsolutelyclear. “Is that going to be a problem for you?”

His eyes narrowed; thick black brows furrowed together. “What if it is?”

I smiled. “Well, that would be a shame, considering how long our families have been allied with each other.”

I pointed to theSanta Muertestatuette in a place of prominence on his desk.

“My father gave you that, right? As a sort of coronation gift, after thePredatorshelped you turn Santiago Cartel territory into Rojas territory. We helped you secure the prominence you have now,” I reminded him, making sure my breasts were on a nice display as I leaned across his desk. “Manny,” I breathed, purposely softening my voice. “Let’s not make this something it doesn’t have to be.Predatorswillnottouch your product, period. Not up for debate. But…we might be able to offer you a little room in our territory. As an olive branch.”

I didn’twantto offer him shit, but since he was being difficult...

“I’m listening,” he said, even though his eyes were firmly planted on my cleavage.

“We won’t run your people off the strip,” I offered, sitting back. “But you keep them away fromReverieandThe Drake.”

“Away fromyour people,” he correctly surmised and I grinned.

“Exactly.”

Weed and recreational shit was one thing, but the other clubs dealt in thereal,life-ruining, no turning back type of drugs. Addicts and other interested parties would get it in Vegas one way or another, but I wasn’t about to agree to offering up Black people on a fucking platter as his permanent customers.

He sat back too, thinking about it for a moment before he nodded. “The high-end customers at the casinos will more than make up for what theMarauderscan’t do anymore,” he agreed.

“Only for a year. And only if it comes to that,” I added. “If theMaraudersregroup—they keep selling for you. Everything continues as normal.”

“I’d rather have more of an insurance.”

“AndI’d rather not have to have this conversation at all. But here we are.” I shrugged.

Momentary anger flashed in Manuel’s dark eyes, but then he smirked. “Well. I see. This is why Blue sent you,” he said. “He knows I would have a hard time staying angry with someone so beautiful.”

I smiled.“You’re very sweet. Blue would have attended himself, but he had a family issue come up. He sends his regrets.”

“I doubt that.”

“Doubt what you must, Manny,” I said, maintaining my eye contact with him. “But he respects your character enough that he senttwobeautiful women to deliver this news, knowing they were safe in your presence. I’d think you recognized it as a testament of his trust.”

“Of course,” was his dry reply. “In any case, I think we’ve occupied enough of each other’s time today, no?”

A grin spread across my lips as I stood. “Is this your way of kicking us out?”

“Absolutely not,” he assured, as he stood as well, already walking to the door. “I have another meeting shortly and need to prepare. But please, feel free to stay as long as you’d like. I’m sure Trin would appreciate some guests for lunch,” he offered.

“Thank you, but no,” I told him,fast,to keep Maite from accepting that invite. “We should be on our way.”

I gave her alookto keep her mouth closed as Manuel’s people led us out of the house. It wasn’t until after we were back in the car, and I’d turned on the device Teo gave me to check for any sort of bugs, that I signaled for her to speak.

“So, Ihatethat guy,” she exclaimed, fussing all the way down the driveway as I navigated back to the main road. I let her go off until we were away from the compound, then tapped a few buttons on my console to call Brandon.

“Is Manny going to be a problem?” he asked, with no preamble.

I blew out a sigh, thinking through the details of the conversation before I answered. “Probably. Yeah.”

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