Page 135 of The Devil Can Be Kind

He shrugged, unaffected. “So be it. He’ll be dead within a week.”

The room lapsed into rigid silence as both Don’s glared at each other over the expanse of table.

My father had always been an inflexible man. Once his mind was set on something, it was rarely the case that it ever changed. However, he had clearly misjudged how unflinching immutable Marco was as his opponent. An impasse had been reached and there was no clear way forward for the discussion.

I gulped in apprehension.

Violence was just around the corner and every person in the room could feel it.

A few tense minutes fell away, before my father’s face contorted into a bitter smile. “Is my daughter really worth all this?”

I didn’t have to see Marco’s face to know he wasn’t very impressed by the question, his body tensing up was indication enough.

“It is sad is that your family means so little.” Marco released me and rose from his seat, languidly wandering over to the wall of windows. He shoved his hands into his pockets as he turned his back toward my father and the rest of the room, preferring to gaze out across the city.

He was cool confidence and control personified. I didn’t think it was possible to respect him anymore than I already did, but in that moment, he was not only the most powerful man in the room…he was commanding. Captivating.

“That is why you will never win this war and why your family will never be as powerful as mine, Alberto. Loyalty breeds loyalty.” He turned back around to face my father, looking every bit as powerful as the devil himself. “And your family are as loyal as rats on a sinking ship. Now get the fuck out of my club.”

A scowl etched itself on my father’s face as he began rising from his chair, clearly displeased with the abrupt end to the conversation but knowing full well they were outnumbered and outgunned.

Leon’s eyes darted about the room as if scared of a massacre at any moment and all but ran to get out the door.Coward.

“A word of advice, La Torre,” My father said, stopping just before he reached the doors. “While we are both men of violence, we are that way because we must be. Ricardo is no such man. He is savage and cruel because he wants to be. Make no mistake: he will stop at nothing to get what he wants. And what he wants is my daughter.”

Fear and panic bled through me again, knowing the truth behind his warning.

My hands trembled in my lap and my heart sped in my chest. Flashes of his sadistic smile. Memories of his brutal nature came screaming back and my stomach rolled with nausea.

“It’s a good thing I’m better at protecting my family than you are, then.”

My father’s eyes coasted to mine for a moment and his scowl deepened in thought.

For a second, it looked like he was going to say something.Anything.

But I was wrong.

He turned and left the conference room. Ron, Leon, and the rest of them following in his wake, escorted by our security team to the rear.

I doubted I would see any of them ever again.

I let out an unsteady, faltering breath.

This wasn’t over.

Ricardo was never going to stop.

MARCO

I hadn’t anticipated finding mutual ground with Alberto Mannino, that much I was sure of, but at least I now understood his motives.

He didn’t want peace; he was desperate. And I would bet my entire fortune that he was desperate because he wasafraid. Afraid of the man that wanted Ada—Ricardo Lopez.

I didn’t recognize the name.

High ranking Mexican drug lord my ass.

It enraged me that I had more questions than answers.

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