Page 103 of Ruthless Oath

It’s better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

There was going to be a lot of begging in my future.

Twenty-Three

Marchello

Uneasiness floodedmy soul as I sat behind my father’s desk. Gazing out the window and taking in the active sales lot, I couldn’t calm the ominous storm brewing inside my chaotic mind.

I had been groomed to sit on this throne since birth. I wanted the cruel empire and all that came with it, but giving Lissia up wasn’t an option.

We were in this together. Did she understand what being in this with me meant? Could I keep her safe and still do what had to be done? Should I let her go? She would hate me either way.

Milo entered the office and closed the door. He had the burner phone up to his ear and was already deep in conversation when he took a seat on the other side of the desk.

“I’m with Chello now,” Milo said. “I’m putting you on speaker.”

I leaned back in my chair, hoping our father had some encouraging news. The more time that passed, the more difficult it became to remain optimistic.

“Marchello,” he said. “I’m happy to hear you’re back where you belong.”

“It was time.” I nodded at Milo, then returned my attention to the phone. “Do you have information for us?”

“I made contact with the cartel that Gallanti has been working with.”

“How did you do that so quickly?” Milo asked.

“I had to call in a huge favor from Juan.” My father’s voice was strong and in control. “It took some persuading, but I got him to see my point of view.”

Juan was our point person in South America, and we had been dealing with him for years. We moved what they needed and laundered their money. We also kept the peace on the streets here and cleared the way in our ports.

“I’m supposed to be lying low and drawing out the person who caused the disappearance of his nephew,” he said. “But Juan understands the hardships my absence has caused for you and Milo.”

A few months ago, shipments were being held up, and people were trying to sabotage my father and his reputation. When a key member of the cartel’s family came to America to check on things, they disappeared. My father fled at the request of the cartel. They thought our family would be in a better position to find the guilty party and bring them to street justice.

“Have you heard something?” I asked. “Do you know where the cartel family member is?”

“Let’s handle one thing at a time,” my father said. “Apparently, the cartel that Gallanti is working with is out of Argentina. They are not happy that Gallanti has brought in Collins. They feel it’s a conflict of interest.”

“They’re moving the same products,” Milo said. “How did Gallanti get caught up in that?”

“When you and your brother intercepted the shipment, they blamed Collins, and now they are refusing to work with Gallanti. Gian and Collins are blaming our family for that.”

“Rightfully so.” I was the one who ordered the intercept of the cargo. “What does the Argentina factor want from us for interfering with the shipment?”

“Luckily, Juan has some strong ties to them. It cost them a lot of money, and their buyers aren’t happy, but they understand why you did what you did,” my father said. “If we agree and are successful in bringing in their next shipment, they are willing to give us a pass over what happened. They don’t trust Gallanti and are looking for another entity to work with.”

“What about the shipment we intercepted?” Milo asked. “The one we’re holding?”

“The cartel thinks we destroyed it because that’s what Collins told them,” our dad said.

“Why would he do that?” Milo asked.

“Because he’s an idiot and probably thought we did destroy it.” I shook my head.

“We need leverage,” our father said. “For now, we keep the fact that we have their products a secret. If we have to use it, we will.”

“This is acceptable to Juan and his men?” I asked. “Us working with another cartel?”

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