Page 2 of Hunted By the Cartel

My first instinct was to call the police, report the threat, and seek their protection. But then I remembered the nature of my debt and the shady dealings I had engaged in to secure the funds for my startup. I knew the police wouldn't stop at just the Nightshade Wolves. They would want to know everything, including how and why I was in contact with them before.

In other words, I was trapped. The solution would have to come from me.

I sank into my chair, my eyes falling on the letter again. Today wasn't supposed to be like this. It was only supposed to be about my business success and nothing else. I hated the letter so much I wanted to rip it to shreds, but I couldn't do it. I wouldn't feel better if I did that.

Nightshade Wolves. The name sent shivers down my spine. I knew cartels were ruthless, but I had never imagined they would come after me so aggressively. Though, I should be honest, they only sent the letter for now. I couldn't help but wonder if offering a deal with them would work. Could it? I didn't know.

I had heard whispers of their operations in the city—drug trafficking, arms dealing, and other nasty business. I knew what my father would say if he were here: it served me right for dealing with criminals.

As I sat there, my mind racing, I realized that I had no choice but to confront this threat head-on. I couldn't involve the police, and running would only postpone the inevitable.

I would start by trying to set up a meeting with the Nightshade Wolves. I was only a rabbit shifter, so I didn't know if they would even pay attention to me. Maybe they would. After showing them I could make enough money if given sufficient time, they might cut me some slack.

I wasn't saying it was going to work, but it was better than nothing. Otherwise, what would I do? Stay still and do nothing? I couldn't do that.

Not to mention, I was restless. I hated the fact I didn't have anyone to talk to about my current predicament. I couldn't even tell my assistant. She was reliable and trustworthy, but she shouldn't know about something like that. Her life was simple. Sometimes, I wished I didn't have big life goals.

I ran my hand over my face. Then, I tossed the letter into the trash bin. Dusting off my hands, I felt slightly better, but not enough.

The only way I would feel better was if they told me they would wait, but I didn't know how likely that was to happen. Probably not very likely.

I looked out the window, watching the sunset. Even though I didn't know if I was going to survive the night, I was already thinking about what was going to happen tomorrow.

Chapter 2

Diego

I answered my phone with a growl, my eyes narrowing as I glared at the man writhing on the floor before me. "What?" I snapped, my voice like the crack of a whip. I didn't have time for this. I had something important to do; money to collect. Whatever he wanted to talk about, it better be something important.

"Boss, we have a situation," one of my enforcers, Marcus, said, his voice tight with tension. He knew I didn't want to be disturbed, but whatever he had to say to me, it couldn't be delayed. "That guy we've been after for months, Rowan Whisperwind, just contacted us. He wants to talk about his debt. And, I'm sure, you want to be the one to collect."

I snarled, my fist clenching tighter around a handful of the collar of the man on the floor. I remembered Rowan. He thought he could get away with it. He thought he didn't have to pay. Some mess happened in the past, which led to the Nightshade Wolves not going after the money he owed. The only regret I had about that was that I wished I had done more at the time.

"You're telling me that now? I'm a little busy here, Marcus." I yanked the man up by his collar, my eyes flashing with dangerous intent. He knew what awaited him. "This piece of trash thinks he can hide from us, but he's about to learn a very painful lesson. I'm going to make sure he never tries the same shit again."

"I know, Boss," Marcus replied, his voice hesitant. "But Whisperwind insisted on speaking to someone directly and in person. He said it's important. I think he may finally be ready to pay."

I scowled, my gaze flicking to the man in my grasp. He was a sniveling rat, begging for mercy as I tightened my grip on his collar. I was doing everything in my power not to end his life. If there was something I hated, it was weakness.

"Fine," I bit out, clenching my right hand. "Send me the location. I'll deal with Whisperwind myself and I'm going to enjoy it."

"Yes, Boss," Marcus replied, relief evident in his voice. "He suggested an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Seems he wants to keep this discreet. After everything he's done, he's afraid of a little exposure."

I grunted in acknowledgment and ended the call, my attention returning to the pathetic creature before me. I clenched my right hand again. I got my point across. He understood the threat he was facing. From now on, he was going to try to do better and pay his debt.

With a vicious snarl, I backhanded him across the face, the force of my blow sending him crashing to the floor. He grunted, coughing out blood.

"You think you can hide from the Nightshade Wolves?" I sneered, towering over him. I took a few steps forward, making sure he understood I could always come back and find him. "You're about to learn just how wrong you are. It's easy for me to find anyone I want."

Leaving the man whimpering and bleeding on the floor, I stormed out of the room, my anger a living, breathing entity within me. I hated being interrupted, especially when I was teaching someone a lesson. But this Rowan Whisperwind had just landed himself at the top of my list, and I intended to make him pay for that interruption tenfold.

He was going to realize that even when we weren't actively seeking to be paid, he still had to pay.

Sliding into the driver's seat of my sleek black sports car, I gunned the engine and sped toward the outskirts of town, the warehouse looming large in my mind. I could only think about it and Rowan. He had a lot to say, to say the least.

As I drove, my anger simmered, my fingers tapping restlessly on the steering wheel. I was so furious that I could barely control it.

I hated debtors, hated the way they thought they could just ignore their obligations to the cartel. We were the Nightshade Wolves and we always collected what was owed. We never forgot and Rowan was about to learn that.

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