Page 95 of Playboy

This little side project just became more interesting and possibly more profitable.

His heart thumped in his chest. He couldn’t waste any time, especially with this new development.

Tyson looked at Vicky. “I need to make a quick phone call,” he told her. “Go ahead and order me a beer.”

She waved him off as he walked down a hallway and then out a side door. Once he was outside and alone with no listening ears nearby, he swiped his phone screen and hit one button.

In two rings, the person answered.

“Tyson, I was hoping to hear from you soon. What news do you have for me?”

“Well, for starters, how about Gabriella Allen.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

The evening sky over Cuba painted the horizon in hues of orange, pink, and violet as the sun began to sink into the ocean.

Ramon walked barefoot along the beach of his private estate, the warm sand beneath his feet a comforting contrast to the cool breeze rolling in from the water. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore, accompanied by the occasional rustle of palm trees, created a serene atmosphere that did little to calm his restless mind.

Ramon’s thoughts drifted to his brother, Lorenzo, as they often did during these last few months. It had been two months since Lorenzo’s death, but the loss was still felt fresh, a gaping wound that time had failed to heal. His brother had been everything to him. They’d grown up side by side, navigating the dangerous world of the cartel together, always watching each other’s backs.

But now, Ramon was alone, left to carry the weight of their legacy on his own shoulders. His brother’s absence was a constant ache, a hollow void that no amount of power, wealth, or revenge could fill. He missed Lorenzo’s laugh, the way he would light a cigar and crack a joke even in the darkest moments as if to remind Ramon that there was still something worth fighting for. Without him, the world seemed colder, more dangerous, and infinitely lonelier.

As he gazed out at the endless expanse of the ocean, Ramon clenched his jaw, a familiar surge of anger rising within him. He promised himself that the person responsible for his death would pay. He would make sure of it, no matter how long it took.But even the thought of revenge did little to soothe the ache in his chest. Lorenzo was gone, and no amount of bloodshed could bring him back.

He headed back inside and went to his office. There was some paperwork he needed to complete before the day’s end.

Just as he sat down and booted up his laptop, the sharp ring of his phone cut through the silence.

Ramon picked it up from the desk and glanced at the screen, a smirk appearing on his lips.

“Tyson,” Ramon answered, his voice low and controlled, though a hint of irritation seeped through. “I was hoping to hear from you soon. What news do you have for me?”

“Well, for starters, how about Gabriella Allen.”

“What about Ms. Allen?”

“I’m literally looking at her from across the room.”

Ramon felt his heart rate spike.

“Where are you?”

“At some local restaurant joint that my step-sister dragged me to. Ms. Allen is here with a group of friends. It seems like they are celebrating something.”

Ramon leaned back in his chair. “I see.”

Tyson cleared his throat. “Uh, there is something else you should know.”

Ramon pinched his eyebrows. “What’s that?”

“You’ll never guess who else I ran into today. And it appears that she is friends with Ms. Allen.”

Ramon rolled his eyes. He fucking hated guessing games.

“Who?” he asked a bit impatiently.

Tyson chuckled. “Check your email. I just sent you a picture.”

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