Page 34 of Sin & Secrets

I focus on Marco’s financial report to try to calm the boner that is threatening to make its presence known.

“Move forty million into the off-shore,” I offer my input. “I’d like to move on the new real estate project this month.”

I note the approval in more than a few eyes. My plans to create a new club venue could very well make theElectrixobsolete within a few years. Then we can destroy those private rooms for good.

Where I had pinned Cas against a wall and allowed the reins of my restraint to slip. Where those perfect lips had gasped my name as I’d indulged myself, however briefly, between her legs.

That night, I hadn’t slept until I had gotten myself off to her lingering lemon and chamomile scent, hating myself in the aftermath.

Because I know, logically, that she is in a very vulnerable position. The way she retreated into herself after Claudio signed that fake contract was a testament to that.

The last thing she needs is a pervert like me trying to take advantage of her just because all logic seems to dive out a fifty-story window whenever I’m around her.

“I got some bad news and some more bad news.”

I refocus as Teo, sitting on my right side as usual, takes the proverbial floor.

“The Cartel intercepted our shipment yesterday before we could secure the South African package.”

Tobacco. A partial payment for the luxury goods we’d offered them last month. A useful commodity, but a bulky one in large enough quantities. And the South Africans had wanted a lot of handbags.

“All of it?”

Teo nods grimly.

“How did they even pull that off? There must have been at least four shipping containers.”

“That’s the worst news,” Teo replies. “The Cartel pulled off the heist before the ship had even docked.”

A disgruntled murmur begins around the table. “Could the South Africans have screwed us over?”

I shake my head. “No. Dante saw the shipment off personally. He’s traveling back to the US as we speak.”

“Then how the hell did they know it was coming in?”

“One of Rubio’s underlings squeaked about something interesting a few days ago,” Alessandro speaks up for the first time since he’d managed to get his nose to stop bleeding.

I brace myself for his next words.

Amos Rubio commands an admirable amount of respect from his Cartel. Which unfortunately means the most effectiveway to get anything out of them is through a more hands-on interrogation.

Though knowing Alessandro’s preferred methods of extraction, it might be more appropriate to call it a hands-off approach. Nails and fingers were often the first to go missing.

“Said ‘only Rome can topple Rome’.”

A silence falls across the room as the implication sets heavy upon our shoulders.

Teo, God bless him, breaks it. “Technically, I think the Germanic forces toppled Rome.”

“Save it, Teo.”

“I’m just pointing out that the Cartel might not be as clever as they think they are.”

“Yet they keep landing their blows time after time.”

“Information has to be getting out to them still.”

“How is this still happening?”

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