Page 32 of Winds of War

“Of course. The reward for showing so much self-restraint will be generous. You'll keep all the children at The Base after we take the goddamn place down, except a few. I will personally select and send them to our silent partner and his illustrious friends who have the same tastes.”

“Wait a minute, did you just say we are going to take The Base down? Are you out of your mind? How are we going to do that with only a handful of men when the others had an army and didn't manage to break into that place?” Montemayor shook his head, disbelief written all over his face.

“You see, the major difference between us is that you use force while I rely on my intelligence, or, in this particular case, of the intelligence of the people I work with. Young Cahal's boyfriend snuck into the sanctuary, playing the abused kid, and befriended one of MacNamara's older sons. Two days from now, he is going to lure the brat out of The Base, and you, my friend, will get your hands on him.”

“And that Ardan bastard, like the loving-fucking-father he is, will trade himself for his precious son.” Montemayor let out a low whistle, admiration written all over his face. “Hombre, whoever came with this plan is a fucking genius.”

Seamus smirked again. “Actually, it was a collective effort, but I don't have to tell you all the details. However, isn't this plan better than the stupid street war you so ardently defend?”

Montemayor nodded in approval but didn't offer a verbal reply. The fella is right, so much money and time wasted for nothing, he bitterly said to himself. I shouldn't have listened to that goddamn woman in the first place, kidnapping the most important crime family bosses' teen sons, brothers, cousins, and nephews was the worst fucking idea ever.

Lauren Briggs. At the beginning, she was the most trustworthy, reliable partner Montemayor ever had, and a great source of information and advice. Lately, however, she took liberties the Mexican didn't remember granting her and started to undermine his authority and undermine his decisions in many subtle ways.

Montemayor even suspected Lauren of driving away his traditional associates and forging alliances behind his back, but so far, he had nothing on her to confirm that. The Mexican couldn't afford to get rid of the woman at the moment, still needing her until after MacNamara was eliminated, but after that, the two of them would have a long overdue talk. I'll show the bitch who's the boss, Montemayor thought, a smile of satisfaction appearing on his lips.

Seamus was studying the Mexican, whose jaw tightened and dark-brown eyes became almost black, narrowing dangerously. Most likely, the dude's mind is not at taking down The Base. He has bigger problems on his hands right now, he thought, hating himself for what he was going to do.

Manipulating Montemayor into eliminating his unofficial right hand, Lauren Briggs, wasn't part of the initial plan, and Seamus's stomach clenched in a tight knot at the idea of causing someone's death, even indirectly. However, after the conversation he had with Spyros and Van, Seamus realized that the woman was ten times more dangerous than the Mexican, and leaving her alive was a risk they couldn't afford to take.

The so-called drug dealer shivered, remembering the disgust coursing through him when Van told him about the encounter he and Lauren had. That woman sold her innocent thirteen-year-old son to Montemayor, well aware of the fate that awaited him, and then had the nerve to ask the boy's father to help her take over the Mexican's organization. She was more dangerous than a snake and a scorpion put together, and deserved to die, Seamus thought, closing his eyes.

“A penny for your thoughts,” Montemayor spoke in a thick-accented voice like the other man had never heard him before. “What's bothering you? Maybe I can help you, for once.” The Mexican grinned.

“I was thinking how many things the two of us have in common.” Seamus rubbed his temples, speaking in a tired voice. “Both of us started at the very bottom of the hierarchy, both caring about the men who helped us build our organizations, and the list could go on. See, it was little things like these that made me choose you as my partner in the African business.”

“I know what you're saying,” Montemayor approved with a nod, his voice suddenly melancholic. “I see my men not as subordinates, but as part of my family, and I noticed you do the same with your advisor and bodyguard.”

“Spyros is like my younger brother; we grew up together.” Seamus smiled at the distant, happy memory. “He is a hot-headed Greek, more stubborn than the most stubborn mule, but loyal to a fault. You are not blind, nor dumb. You probably figured out that he and Van are a couple.” The man let out a heavy sigh. “Just when I thought nothing and no one could possibly come between them... Sorry, I shouldn't have brought this into discussion. Lauren Briggs is your assistant, I...”

“That woman has a constant itch between her legs.” Montemayor huffed in contempt. “It takes an army to satisfy her hunger of cock. However, Van seems the faithful type, so I wouldn't worry if I were his sexy lover...Spyros, right?”

“Yeah, good luck with telling Spyros that. He's jealous of everything and everyone getting Van's attention, even for a second. Well, in this case, he had reasons, but I don't know if I should continue. Things may get ugly and people could be hurt, and this is not what I want.” Seamus rubbed his temples again, sighing heavily.

“If you know something that may affect my business one way or another, spill it.” Montemayor stared in the other man's eyes, speaking as calmly as he could. “If your boys did something bad, I give my word I will let you punish them.”

“Thank you.” Seamus dipped his head. “It's not that. Spyros found out Lauren had messaged Van and asked him for a meeting. He followed them and recorded their conversation.” The man pulled his phone out of the inside pocket of his jacket. “Listen for yourself, but try to remain calm. Don't do something you are going to regret later.”

Montemayor nodded and started to listen to the conversation Spyros recorded with Seamus tensed as a bow ready to release the arrow, studying the Mexican's reactions and praying the gangster would fall into the trap he set. In fact, Spyros and Van were the ones who suggested it, revolted by the woman's cold, heartless actions against her own son who she sold like an old piece of furniture.

Taking advantage that no one controlled his phone calls since he mentioned that imaginary powerful friend and that he had unlimited internet access, Seamus got in touch with Elijah, The Base's IT expert. Helped by Leon's husband, Darien, who was part of the famous team known as The Special Ones, he created an “improved” version of the original conversation.

The two experts started by eliminating the parts where Lucas was mentioned so Montemayor wouldn't suspect Van's intention of avenging the supposed death of his son. Then, they added some more insults in the woman's voice, all of them targeting the Mexican, whom she wanted dead according to some other fragments of conversation.

The new recording was sent to Seamus, Spyros, and Van, who listened to it and offered some more suggestions, then resent it to the two experts who made the necessary corrections. The process was repeated a few times until the three men were completely satisfied with the final result.

The longer he listened to the conversation between Lauren and Van, the harder it was for Montemayor to control his anger. The goddamn bitch isn't happy with all the privileges I’ve given her, he thought, balling his hands into fists. She wants to rob me of my lifelong work. Ungrateful whore, he mentally cursed, leaving his seat and stepping out of the living-room, Seamus hot on his heels.

Without a word, Montemayor went upstairs and stopped in front of the door leading into Lauren's little apartment, panting heavily. The door was locked, but motivated by rage as he was, the man slammed his shoulder into it a few times, bursting it open. He stormed inside and pulled his gun out, pointing it to the barely awake woman, who stared at him in confusion and terror.

Montemayor inhaled sharply, the sight of Lauren, paralyzed by fear when she finally realized what was happening, giving him an almost erotic satisfaction. After a few more seconds, his face contorted in a grimace of disgust and he unloaded the gun into the woman, then calmly exited the room.

CHAPTER 26

For the first time since he was aware of his sixth sense, Soames didn't know if he should trust it or not. The man's “special gift,” as the women from the tribe of nomads called it, showed him happy days ahead, but his heart was heavy with sadness every time Joaquin Montemayor was around.

Giuseppe Fenelli's grandson maintained his calm, composed exterior, a friendly smile always playing on his full, oh-so-kissable lips, but Soames could feel how the don-to-be was crumbling on the inside. The aura of pain and sorrow surrounding Joaquin became more visible, almost tangible, every time he saw Cian.

Soames's thoughts took a turn to his boyfriend, who also seemed kind of sad and somehow disoriented. He sensed it had nothing to do with him being used as bait in the trap Seamus MacAtee, Ian Saint-Clair, and Ardan, Cian's own father, were setting for Jorge Montemayor. It was rather like the young man lost his way in life and couldn't find it back.

---