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“And what did you offer? What was her role in this mess?”
“To act as Dalian’s distraught fiancée while Jaime moved in on Amberlyn.” Henry swallows hard, tears falling from his eyes. “If she gave them this, they’d bring her husband to Miami and let them leave together with money and a secured home in Cape Coral.”
“You used her.”
“Yes.”
“Sexually?”
Davila looks down, his fear palpable. “We forced her to get high and took turns.”
Closing my eyes for a second, I exhale roughly. I have a mother, cousins, and a soon-to-be wife.
Had someone done something similar to those I love, I’d want them chopped up a piece at a time and fed as chum to the animals roaming in open water.
“What else do I need to know? Is there a hidden skill you’ve kept from me?”
“You know.”
“I do.” Birds fly over us before landing in the adjacent buildings. That’s the old-world charm of this city; the structures are old and reminiscent of an era where this country was a tourist destination that rivaled the world’s most exotic destinations and casinos. We’re called the Pearl of the Antilles for a reason, and it’s more than the long-standing Tropicana club. On this block, though, I own five buildings and they are occupied by those who work for me to distribute food and necessities from the capital to smaller cities and out to the more remote farmlands. “But I’d like to hear you admit it.”
“I’m the hacker who stole Amberlyn’s identity.”
“Good boy.” Reaching a hand toward him, Henry flinches but I simply pat his head. “Now pray.”
“Let me work it off,” he pleads instead. Wasting his breath. “I’m good at what I do and can be useful.”
“I’ve told you before. Our organization isn’t recruiting.” Shifting a glance at the watch on my wrist, I give a short whistle and Israel comes forward with my gun. “Two minutes. Do we have word from Junior?”
“Yes. Karen is in his care.”
“Good.” After taking the Glock, I reach into my right back pocket and pull out a silencer attachment and affix it to the muzzle. “And Silvio Lopez? Have we found him?”
“Word is he’s here on the island and held in a private high-security jail.”
Henry clears his throat. “My uncle runs the president’s personal prison here. I can get you in if—”
“Would you get my men inside and out safely?” I raise an amused brow. “Out of the goodness of your heart?”
“If it kept me alive? Yes.” Low. Meek. Nothing at all like the man who lied to me and terrorized an innocent woman for personal greed. Where’s that cocky son of a bitch now? “Just ask, and it’s yours.”
“Open your mouth.” Expressions—from fear to almost relief—cross his features in rapid succession at the command. Yet he does it. He kneels on the cold ground while the sun beats down on the city, lips parted and eyes closed. The latter of which I didn’t ask him to do. “Loyalty, Henry, is all that matters to the De Leons. What we pride ourselves on, from the lowest soldier to the head of the family. If we can’t trust you, you are of no use and will be dealt with.”
“I’ll take my punishment.” Opens his mouth further. What the hell does he think I’m going to do? Yet he’s making this game of bull’s-eye too easy.
Three steps separate us and I take two, stopping just shy of touching a wet puddle on the floor. I hate when they pee themselves. My aim is good, maybe even better than Thiago’s. “You seem to be confused. Open your eyes.” Muddy brown ones meet mine and widen. He tries to snap his mouth shut, but before he does, I’ve already fired, and the bullet breaks his teeth and tongue and exits out the back of his skull before he’s successful.
The muted sound is barely discernible in the busy afternoon bustle where many pass the building below on their way to and from my store, and after he slumps forward, I turn and head straight for the door.
Those here fall into step behind me while dragging Henry’s body. There’s a cheap casket down in the bodega for him that I’ll be taking with me to the meeting with Placido Rodriguez.
I couldn’t bring Dalian back with me, but his best friend should suffice. I’ll even give them enough time to bury the asshole before decapitating the president. Because that’s the only way to get rid of a snake. A body is useless without the head, and his administration will crumble.
24
WE MAKE IT to the Placido de la Revolucion a little after four in the afternoon and are met with a new general and his body of force on the steps. They’re standing guard, weapons drawn while I walk past them but make clear eye contact.
His facial expression doesn’t change, but there’s a subtle tilt to his head no one else catches. Or maybe they do, and those here are mostly my men.
