Page 7 of Cartel Cobra

Friend. I doubt he’d call me that if he knew I passed my time daydreaming about Luciana while I waited. I’d be praying to God for mercy fromel Espíritu Santoif Luis found out. Even God couldn’t have enough mercy for me if Enrique found out.

“Hola.”

“I’m late becauseTíoHumberto nearly caught me leaving my parents’ house. He showed up early.”

“I know. He told me would arrive late to keep your family waiting, but he left his house early, hoping to catch your father in the middle of something without him.”

Humberto is technically Josue’s second-in-command because he’s usually in the States overseeing their operations in New York, their North American hub. But he’s been down here for an extended—uninvited—vacation. Enrique’s only been out of college a couple years, but he’s the brains behind the operation up there. Luis is his chief enforcer. Humberto talks a big game, but he wants his brother dead because he knows Enrique will soon oust him. No one wants to do business with Humberto when they can deal with Enrique.

Humberto wants Josue dead for the title, the power, and the money he assumes is rightfully his as Josue’s brother. Never mind Enrique’s always been the heir. No one will pledge loyalty to Humberto over Enrique. At least, no one who wants to live long enough to pledge anything.

“He nearly succeeded. I stayed longer than I should have, but I wanted time with Cat and Ana.Papá’sletting Ana pick the date, but he announced the wedding will be before the summer’s over.”

It’s mid-June now.

“He’s putting her back up against the wall. Will she cooperate?”

“Sí. But it won’t be pretty in private.”

“She really doesn’t want to marry him?”

“She doesn’t like to be forced into anything. I think she cares about him, and who knows, maybe she’ll grow to love him like I love my wife. But backing her into a corner will do him no favors regardless of how she feels about Domingo. She could be head over heels for him, but she still wouldn’t appreciate it. She’s already marrying him for our family’s sake. She doesn’t care to be reminded.”

Luis’s still a newlywed. He barely knew Margherita when they married, but they’re in love now. Margherita’s father refused to consider Enrique. He didn’t want his daughter to be a young widow since Enrique’s automatically a bigger target as the heir. Little did he know what Luis’s position would become. He’s in far more danger every time he comes down here since he deals with the dregs of society in the roughest prisons. These aren’t American country club, white-collar crimes prisons. These are the most brutal cartels’ homes, and Luis is usually an uninvited guest.

“Things are moving fast, Luis. Knowing your sister’s wedding is actually happening is making him panic. He doesn’t want that alliance to go through. He’s putting the hit on your father for Thursday while you and Enrique fly down here. I warned him what would happen if you found out or if it happened before you’re in the air. He’s confident he can pull it off.”

Luis watches me and appears to trust me about as much as his sister does. But he knows I never lie to Enrique or him. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to, but I never have. Enrique and I were freshman roommates and soccer teammates throughout college. I met Luis while he was still at boarding school in the States.

My family runs the city of Medellín and once were rivals to Luis and Enrique’s. Rather than lose everything, my great-grandfather decided it was better to stay in his lane and control all the poppy farms in Colombia. He sold the harvests tolosDiaz—or the Diazes as Americans would say—rather than die with nothing. My grandfather and now my father agree with that wisdom. I do, too.

If I’d wanted to prove myhuevosare bigger than Enrique’s or Luis’s, I could’ve killed Enrique a thousand times over in the year we lived together. He could’ve done the same to me. Instead, we became close friends. I’ll never take Luis’s place, and I’ve never wanted to. Enrique and Luis know Enrique can’t take Alicia’s. Someone has to have a conscience for me.

“How does he plan to do it?”

“By using me. He wanted me to seduce Luciana—easy.” I put my hands up. “I’m not going to. I said he wanted me to, but I don’t wage my wars through women. He thought that would get me close to your father. I reminded him it would take longer than he’s willing to wait and that I’d die in the process. I also reminded him my loyalty is to my family not him, so I won’t risk that. He wants me to snipe him.”

I know Luis saw the gun on my lap. I can see his. Neither of us has reached for ours, and I’m bold enough to cross my arms and lean back. It’s a sign of good faith. I might talk about killing his father, but I won’t. That’s not why Enrique planted me in Humberto’s inner circle.

“My mom and sisters are supposed to be with my dad all day Thursday. Then they’re coming to the airport to meet Enrique and me.”

“Are you going to tell your father?”

“Of course. My mom and sisters can’t be anywhere near him that day just in case.”

I sigh as I ease my hand down to my gun. Luis’s eyes narrow for a moment as I holster the weapon behind my back and stand.

“I’ll tellcarechimbathat my father expects me home for the weekend. He can think I went to Medellín, but I’ll stay in Bogotá. Whoever he plans to send in my place won’t make it past hisfront door. But I need your promise that if Humberto looks in my direction, you’ll back me up.” Vagina face suits him as much ascaremonda—penis face.

“Of course we will.” He sounds duly insulted.

“Fine. I’ll call Humberto tonight and tell him. I’ll make sure my wire taps capture who he picks in my place. The guy’ll be dead before he can see daylight on Thursday.”

“Keep an eye on my sisters. I don’t trust mytíonot to change his mind and target them to get my father to bend.”

“All right.”

Believe me, I’ll be watching Luciana.

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