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That only brings up a very good question—What does Jaguar need?
“A man like you could have any woman he wants,” I begin, “but one who will screw you and then chase after another leader in the cartel when she wants a new purse or new shoes. I am not so easily swayed. I want a powerful man who will never fall from his throne. I believe that could be you. No.Isyou. Your trio of women can offer you a good time for a night or two. I’m offering you more than that.”
“Believe me, chica. No one’s pussy is that good.” His laugh is guttural, bordering on a growl. At least he’s honest, openly conveying his thoughts of my little spiel.
I’m failing.
“More than pussy is what is on the table,” I rasp, laying out every insane, obscure aspect of this plan imaginable. What could he want that no one else could provide? A fantasy that no one on earth could resist. Not even me.
“I can understand you,” I say. “I will never want more from you than what you can give. I offer you unwavering fealty that will never break. Do your research on me, if you must. I welcome it. I am not leftovers, as you put it. I only go after men I know are worthy of me.”
“You talk a good game—I’ll give you that.” His laughter is richer than ever, but deeper too. It cuts me to the bone, resonating in parts of my body I didn’t even know existed. In the face of his laser-like gaze, I stiffen, paralyzed.
“But I’m not interested in your soul. You’ve intrigued me this far, so I will humor you. What would fucking with Rivera, a man who owns a majority share of the outlying territory, do for me? I control far more, and to be honest with you, he isn’t even on my radar. Keeping him around does me more good than not.”
It’s what I feared, though I shoot down the logical voice in my head insisting upon that very thing. Strategically, Braulio played his cards well. While, if given a chance, he would gun for Jaguar’s position in a heartbeat, even he knew when to lie low and obey the status quo. Knowing the man, I refuse to attribute his caution to cunning or strategy. Mere cowardice is what holds him back.
“You think your pretty little words and sexy little dress are enough to convince me to rock the boat?” Jaguar wonders. “Frankly, Lupe, I can’t tell if you’re that brave or that damn naïve.”
The truth is probably a bit of both.
“A man in your position must know that the most dangerous threats are the ones you can’t see,” I point out.
He cocks his head further. “Are you telling me that Braulio Rivera is gunning to make a move against me?”
I hesitate. Do I want to potentially get Braulio killed? The answer is simple—no. But if I need leverage, his welfare certainly won’t get in my way—especially when I recall Franco’s bruises. Never mind. I’d love to see the bastard bleed.
“Who wouldn’t want to be the most powerful man this side of the country?” I counter. “I think many men wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to unseat you.”
“Is that a threat?”
I have enough sense to visibly shiver at the insinuation.
“It’s the truth,” I rasp, painfully aware of just how close he is. His scent is a strange mixture of cigar smoke, alcohol, and something indiscernible. A salty scent reminiscent of seawater. Or… Blood? “I don’t think it should be an insult to state as much.”
“Not an insult,” he murmurs in a mocking tone that raises more goosebumps over my tender flesh. “But a death wish, perhaps? I wonder… If I were to reach out to Rivera and mention our little conversation, what would he say?”
“Do it.”Damn.That wasn’t part of Pedro’s script, but I can’t resist the part of me emboldened by the taunt. If he contacted Braulio and lured him out into the open, I could get a read on the bastard’s location. Then I could somehow contact Pedro and beg him to use his contacts to rescue Francisco. Then I could…
“Eyes on me,” Jaguar warns.
My shivers become full-blown tremors. The effect this man has on me… It’s violent, and I don’t know how far to let it go unchallenged.
When I obey his command, he watches me with renewed interest. I’m not sure what, but something has changed his mind—or gotten him to listen more closely, at least. Good.
“I told you why I came to you,” I continue before he can speak. “Do what you must, but the man I’ve heard rumors about doesn’t seem like the type to balk at a challenge. You keep Braulio here in the city, and you will see just what a threat he presents.”
“And again, I ask what you plan to offer for a trade.” His tongue shoots out to graze his lower lip as his eyes rake me over from head to toe.
The car has stopped, I realize. We’re near a puddle of light bright enough to cast his features into stark focus. God, he’s beautiful. Alone with him, there is no denying that, but I can feel the tension coiled in his body from here. I know exactly what “bargain” he has in mind, and it’s more terrifying to broach than I thought going into this.
After years of abstinence, this isn’t how I imagined dipping back into the world of intimacy.
“No trade,” I say, struggling to recall Pedro’s advice.Men like that? They want to believe you’re interested in more than money. More than their power. Sell them that fantasy, and they’ll give you the whole damn world.
Luckily, I don’t need the world. I just need Francisco safe. I need that monster away from my family, and, depending on how my mood goes, I need to find answers about what really happened to Tiena.
“You do what is merely in your nature, and I will give you my loyalty. Everything. But it won’t be a trade.”
