Page 41 of The Payment

“Impossible.El Jefenever meets—”

“Your boss won’t be meeting anyone.”Jarek cut him off.“Because you’re going to tell him the DEA is closing in on your usual routes.You need new channels.Polov’s channels.”

Martinez’s eyes narrowed.“And why would I betrayEl Jefe?”

“Because I own every piece of evidence linking you to three mass graves in Juarez.”Jarek slid photos across the table.“Including witness statements from the families you paid to keep quiet.”

The color drained from Martinez’s face as he stared at the photos.

“You have two choices.”Jarek stood.“You set up Polov or spend the rest of your life in a supermax watching your cartel friends forget you exist.”

“You’re dead, Dark One.”Martinez's voice shook with rage.“You don’t know what you’re starting.”

Jarek leaned in close, his voice dropping to a whisper.“I’ve spent twenty years preparing for this war.Your entire network only exists because I allow it.Test me, and I’ll burn your empire to the ground without leaving my office.”

The warehouse fell silent except for Martinez’s ragged breathing.His men shifted their weight with hands gripping their weapons tighter.The tension crackled through the warehouse like a static storm.

“You think you’re untouchable?”Martinez’s lips pulled back in a snarl.“Even if what you say is true,El Jefewill know I betrayed him.My family—”

“Again, your choice.You can stay and face his wrath, or you and your family will be relocated with new identities before the meeting happens.”Jarek circled the table.“My organization protects those who cooperate.”

Lucky moved closer, his massive frame casting a shadow over Martinez.The cartel leader’s façade cracked further.

“The meeting needs to happen within three weeks,” Declan stepped forward and dropped a burner phone on the table.“You’ll find the script for your calls with El Jefe and Polov in there.Stick to it.”

Martinez grabbed the phone with his knuckles turning white as his fingers tightened around it.“And if Polov refuses?”

“He won’t.”Jarek's lips tightened.“The profit margins I’ve calculated will be too tempting.Fifty million in pure heroin, with guaranteed safe passage through the Northeast corridor.He won’t be able to resist.

“Hijo de puta,” Martinez muttered.“You’ve planned everything.”

“Almost everything.”Dead-Eye’s quiet voice carried across the room.“We still need to discuss what happens if you snitch to either of them.”

The laser sight reappeared on Martinez’s chest.His men reached for their weapons, but Holden’s deep growl stopped them cold.

“I wouldn't.”Holden’s hands remained relaxed at his sides.“My trigger finger gets itchy when people make sudden moves.”

Jarek placed both hands on the table, leaning into Martinez’s space.

“You have forty-eight hours to make the initial contact.After that, those witness statements will find their way to the FBI, the Mexican Armed Forces, and the National Guard.I’ll make sure you won’t be able to cross the border before that happens.”

“You expect me to sign my own death warrant.”Martinez’s voice cracked.

“No.”Jarek straightened.“I’m offering you a chance to survive what’s coming.Polov is already floundering, and once he falls, all his old alliances die with him.You’ll need new friends.”

Martinez stared at the burner phone with sweat beading on his forehead.The warehouse fell silent except for the distant sound of boats in the harbor.

“Make the call.”Jarek turned to leave.“Oh, and Jorge?If you’re thinking of running...don’t.Dead-Eye gets bored easily.He enjoys the hunt.”

The cartel leader’s shoulders slumped in defeat.“I’ll make the fucking call.”

“Good.”Jarek nodded to his team.“Lucky, show our guests out.Ensure they understand the importance of traveling directly to their hotel.”

As Martinez and his men were escorted out, Declan turned to him.“Do you think he’ll play it straight?”

“He has no choice.”Jarek watched through the warehouse windows as the cartel convoy pulled away.“His accounts are already frozen.He just doesn’t know it yet.”

Jarek

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