Page 37 of Devil's Property
“This is out of his wheelhouse, Jago. I think the fucker lied to you. He’s working with someone that I believe Fassi is eager to have in his employ. Or perhaps dead.”
I walked through the room, studying the various pieces of equipment. Very expensive.
“Don’t go off halfcocked, Navarro, although your perspective is solid. Let’s find out what we’re dealing with,” Jago stated as he lifted a single eyebrow. He knew me better than anyone. While I had no issues taking a life, even I had scruples.
We returned to the main room and closer to one of the tables holding product. With a single swipe of my finger, I was able to confirm cocaine. A slight gasp from one of the workers drew my attention. Fear remained.
“Silvio. Take Alonzo and make certain we don’t have any additional surprises,” I told him gruffly.
He motioned to Alonzo and both headed outside to ensure we were still alone.
I moved toward the cowering worker, gently taking her arm. “Ya estás a salvo. ¿Cuánto te pagan por trabajar aquí?”
You’re safe now. How much are you paid to work here?
The shaking woman glanced from Jago to Kruz and finally back to me. Her answer was barely audible and full of continued fear. This time not from the men who’d attacked the warehouse, but from Eduardo’s soldiers.
Her answer was exactly what I’d expected to hear. Twenty dollars a week, well below the typical one hundred fifteen in rural areas, which was considered poverty level. Meanwhile, Eduardo lived like a fucking king.
Jago shook his head before I reacted, but I could tell he was furious.
“¿Cuantas horas a la semana?”
For how many hours per week?
“Al menos ochenta.”
At least eighty. That was ridiculous. They were nothing but slaves. My guess was Eduardo had chosen the location specifically based on the level of poverty and the fact no one would question or bother him.
How the hell did Fassi even know this existed unless one or more of Eduardo’s men betrayed him? Knowing the pompous prick, that was entirely possible.
Kruz motioned for the workers to come out of hiding. Their actions were slow, their anxiety remaining high. I couldn’t blame them. A single look at a yellowing bruise on one of the worker’s faces gave an indication the guards were also their babysitters.Yes, brutality was a significant aspect of such a dangerous world. I knew that all too well. Maybe I just found this distasteful.
Perhaps I was at the point in my life I’d found some humanity after all.
I reached into my pocket, pulling out the wad of cash I’d had on me. While it was barely two thousand dollars, pocket change in my world, to these people the dollar amount would feed the entire village for weeks. As I handed the folded bills to the shivering woman, she peered at me with tears in her eyes. I placed my hand on hers, fighting the rage that continued to brew deep inside.
“Id a estar con vuestras familias.”
Go be with your families. My words seemed to hit home, the villagers nodding in appreciation while I continued to seethe. After offering another reassuring smile, I headed to the tables. The worth of the cocaine being prepared for shipment was in the millions. The practice wasn’t unusual, pure cocaine cut with a product to increase profit while not turning the illegal substance into a death sentence for consumers.
Various substances were used including vitamins and recently Fentanyl, which made the drug that much more toxic. There were others, most costing very little, but adding a significant amount to the bottom line. It was apparent Eduardo had been worried about this warehouse for a significant reason.
Jago had authorized nothing more than a favor for his cousin, three or four days of babysitting the man’s territory while he recuperated in the hospital. Why did I have a feeling Eduardo had realized he’d gotten in over his head? Evidently, he’d left out a significant portion of the story.
I would kill the bastard myself.
After the villagers left, I picked up one of several vials, noticing the presentation appeared as if the additive had been prepared in a lab. With no labels, there was no way of knowing what Eduardo was using. I opened one, taking a deep whiff. As I was doing so, both of Eduardo’s men were watching me carefully. Something told me they were none too happy.
“You’re a good man,” Jago teased, clapping me on the back. “Shocks the fuck out of me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being decent to people,” I retorted with a snort.
“That’s terrifying coming from you. I remember when you enjoyed carving very large initials in the assholes who pissed you off for any reason. You’re certainly a different man than years before. Genevieve would say you’re evolving.”
Genevieve. His lovely yet powerful wife.
Now I threw him a dirty look as well as my middle finger. “Hopefully, I won’t evolve into a man wrapped around a woman’s finger.” I managed a smile after my cutting retort. Very few people could get away when teasing a man who’d been indoctrinated into the world of crime as a child.
