Page 68 of Tainted Obsession 1
But not all men have the guts to wade through blood and sin to take what they need. That’s their own shortcoming.
I don’t want Evelyn to see any of it, so I’ll keep her close during my meeting with Adrián Rodríguez.
As we enter the club, two armed men open the double doors for us—they’re military, either Colombian or Ecuadorian. Their nationality doesn’t matter. They’re on Rodríguez’s payroll. They’re paid to look the other way while he traffics his productover the border. We don’t have anything to fear from the authorities in this lawless town in the remote jungle.
The territory is utterly unfamiliar to me, but I hide my disquiet behind a confident, cool mask. I’m accustomed to the streets of Naples and the complexities of urban criminal warfare. This wilderness makes me edgy; I rarely face the unknown. I make sure to be thoroughly in control of every possible scenario when I’m conducting my business.
But I’m in Rodríguez’s world now. I’ll have to handle myself carefully to ensure the notoriously sadistic drug lord’s friendship.
Otherwise, Evelyn and I will be isolated out here. I refuse to put her at risk.
I trace the line of diamonds that encircles her slender neck: a collar marking my ownership of this stunning creature. If I could attach a leash to it tonight, I would.
But Evelyn would balk at that, and I don’t want to spook her. Not when she gave herself to me so sweetly. She entrusted me with her dark secrets, just as I craved. The imbalance between us is rectified. I’m thoroughly in control again.
Admiring the way my diamonds shimmer on her delicate collarbones, calm settles over me. Evelyn is safe in my care, and I can conduct my business without distraction or worry for her. She doesn’t like my business, but she’ll become accustomed to it.
“Massimo!” Stefano greets me warmly, as though we’ve been best friends for years.
His mercurial nature is designed to keep me off balance, but I meet him with a carefully crafted, charming smile of my own.
His black shark’s eyes flick to Evelyn. “I’m surprised you brought your lovely companion. But I’m sure Adrián will be pleased to meet you both.”
Despite his jovial tone, I know he isn’t delighted at her presence. She’s an outsider. Until a few days ago, she’d been engaged to one of his enemies.
I run my thumb over the diamond collar. Duarte’s sharp eyes note the possessive gesture.
“Evelyn belongs with me,” I say smoothly. “I couldn’t leave her all by herself in that big, empty mansion.”
I let him read the truth in my words: I won’t be parted from her.
He tips his head at me, accepting the situation. I have Evelyn under my control, and she won’t cause any trouble for him. She doesn’t belong to George Crawford anymore, and she isn’t a threat to Duarte’s business.
I wish Carmen were here to put Evelyn at ease, but I understand why the cartel queen stayed in Mexico City. AfterLos Zetas’brazen attack in their territory, one of them needs to remain in their stronghold to oversee security.
“Come join us,” Stefano invites with a sweep of his arm, gesturing toward a cluster of armchairs in the back corner.
A dark-haired man occupies one of them, and a massive guard stands stone-faced at his back. He’s about my size—well over six feet tall and roped with muscle. If I so much as look at Adrián Rodríguez the wrong way, he’s prepared to snap my neck.
At least, he can try. We’d be evenly matched, and I have Evelyn’s safety to worry about. If he sparks my protective fury, he will die before he gets anywhere near her.
I manage to keep the threatening tension from gripping my body as I saunter behind Stefano to join the men. Acting like a brutish caveman won’t do me any favors tonight. These are my new, dangerous friends, and I need them on my side. I have to secure the alliance and keep my promise to Gian and Enzo.
When we reach them, my eyes adjust to the dim lighting in the shadowed corner. The stage is by the bar, and the riotous music that fills the club is notably quieter this far away. Our conversation won’t be overheard, but we won’t have to shout over the music. The setting is ideal for a clandestine meeting.
“Massimo, this is Adrián.” Stefano introduces us. “Adrián, this is our new Italian friend I’ve told you so much about, Massimo Imperiale.”
Adrián doesn’t stand to greet us. He remains reclined in his chair, his only acknowledgment of the introduction a slight inclination of his head. He’s a king in his own domain, and he bows to no one. His green eyes seem to glow through the darkness, studying me with an intensity that would make a weaker man squirm.
I meet him head-on, offering him a warm smile. “I’m looking forward to our new friendship.”
He cocks his head, a cunning snake. His cold eyes cut to Evelyn.
I tense, but Stefano quickly says, “Evelyn is with Massimo. He didn’t want her getting bored at the mansion all by herself.”
“Are you so easily bored?” he drawls, addressing her. “Can you not spend a few hours away from your beloved?”
She stiffens, but she edges toward me.
