AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It means I have more than just a leak in my organization.
* * *
Sam’s waitingfor me by the private elevator in my apartment, his hands in his pockets, and a furious scowl etched into his face. For once, I’m not the cause of it, but I have a pretty good idea who is.
“Remind me again why we have a truce with Santi Carrera?” he drawls, barely glancing at Dog, as we step into the carriage together. “If that piece of shit gives me one more remark about your tardiness, I’m going to shove his phone—”
“Because Thalia married him and you’re fucking his sister.” I hit the button for the Lower Parking Lot.
That shuts him up for all of ten seconds.
“I hate that you get to say stuff like that to me and I can’t kill you for it.”
I shoot him a sideways glance. “Perks of being yourjefe.”
“How’s Ella?” he says slyly, earning himself another less favorable look as the doors ping open.
“She wasn’t wearing the dress long enough for the poison to take effect.”
“You were in there for ages. Did you kiss her better?”
“I’m choosing to ignore that fucking comment because I need you out of hospital for the next few months.”
“If I can’t beat the shit out of you, Grayson…” He grins as he exits the carriage backwards, throwing his hands out like a goddamn showman. “Then I’m gonna hit youanywayI can.”
Prick.
Carrera’s waiting for us in the private parking lot with a dozen of his men and a dozen of mine. Sharp suited, as usual. Sarcasm on fucking overload. He takes one look at Dog and his smirk widens.
“Interestingsicariosyou hire these days, Grayson.”
“She’s more effective than you think.” Dog sits neatly by my feet, never taking her old eyes off me. “You don’t cross state lines much, Carrera. Is this a pleasure trip, or will it be painful for the both of us?”
There’s an understanding between our two cartels right now, one that’s been strengthened by a bond in marriage, and a mutual respect, but make no mistake, animals like us never forget our DNA. We’ll happily rip each other apart the second the truce collapses.
“It’s going to be painful for someone, but not for us.” Nodding at the huge tank of a man next to him, the back door to one of the parked SUVs swings open and a man gets kicked out.
There’s a muffled scream as his knees hit the concrete floor. His hands and feet are bound together by tape, the same with his mouth, and he’s already been worked over by Carrera’ssicarios. His blond hair is matted with dried blood, and his white T-shirt is dirty and torn.
“I appreciate the heads up aboutEl Alquimista,” Carrera continues, as the man tries to crawl away. He doesn’t get far before the tank’s boot is crushing his shoulder blades into the ground. “Turns out, he’s been trying to flood our market as well. Figured I’d bring you a gift as a thank you.”
“Who is he?” I say, sounding bored. There are rules to this game, the first being never to display a flicker of interest when Santi Carrera lays a golden egg in your lap. He’s on a need-to-know basis when it comes toEl Alquimista. Problems make you appear weak. Weakness gives you even more problems, and so the circle of cartel bullshit propaganda continues.
“A dealer on Spring Street. He used to be one of ours until he defected. You might want to check out the tattoo in the center of his chest...” That damn smirk creeps back across his face as he glances at Dog. “Tell me, does she do tricks too?”
“Sam?” I say, over my shoulder, ignoring the provocation. “See to it that our new guest gets a proper Santiago welcome.” With this, I reach out to shake Carrera’s hand, his grip just as firm and unforgiving as mine. “Take him over to Red Hook. Give him a couple of hours of our New York hospitality. I’ll be down later tonight to serve him the fucking house special.”
23
ELLA
The selectionof dresses that Edier has couriered over to my apartment are exquisite.
In the end, I settle on a stunning black asymmetric midi that leaves my left shoulder bare and me wincing at the price tag. My father is the richest man in the world, but my financial independence was the one condition of me staying here when I dropped out of college.
Put simply, if I wanted my freedom, I was going to have to earn it. My apartment would be paid for, along with my healthcare, and my security detail, but everything else was up to me.
I can’t pretend it’s been easy, but it’s taught me to respect money, and to be damn appreciative when a three-thousand-dollar dress gets sent my way. As such, I decide to call Edier and thank him for his generosity.
