Page 69 of Tainted Obsession 1
“I want to stay close to Massimo,” she declares, her voice ringing out clearly. She might be intimidated, but she doesn’t cower. “He keeps me safe.”
Adrián’s dark brows rise to his artfully tousled black hair. “Do you feel unsafe in my territory?”
She swallows but met his challenging gaze.
“I want to stay with Massimo,” she repeats, avoiding answering his question directly.
It’s a trap, and she’s clever enough not to get caught in it. If she’d admitted that she’s afraid to be alone in his territory, hewould pounce on the insult. She didn’t give him the opportunity to rebuke us.
Again, she’s pledged her loyalty to me, staring down one of the most dangerous men in the world. The urge to sweep her up in a hungry kiss is almost overwhelming. This strong, stunning woman belongs to me. She gives herself to me willingly. Fearlessly.
“The girl isn’t a threat,” the big man at Adrián’s back interjects, his voice deep like rolling thunder.
The cartel kingpin glances at his bodyguard, mild irritation tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“I can see that, Mateo.” His sharp gaze pierces me once again. “You are both welcome to join us.” He gestures at the empty armchair directly across from him.
Stefano sits beside his Colombian partner, and I take the offered chair. It’s barely big enough to accommodate me, so I place Evelyn on my lap.
She sits stiffly, clearly uncomfortable with the arrangement. I place my hand on her hip, giving her a light squeeze to ground her to me. She blows out a soft sigh and relaxes a fraction.
“As I was saying,” Stefano says to his friend, “Massimo has come to us with a very profitable proposal. His associates are already back in Italy arranging the final details.”
“I know,” Adrián replies in that cold drawl. “You don’t have to put on a show, Stefano. I’ve overseen some of the arrangements myself. This meeting wouldn’t be happening if I weren’t already committed to the deal.”
“Yes,” Stefano allows with an almost maniacal grin. “But this way, we all get to have a drink together.”
Adrián sighs. “It’s always a party with you. I prefer business. You can be very tedious, Duarte.”
“You can go home to Valentina soon enough.” Stefano is the picture of a sympathetic friend. “I know how you hate to leave your wife.”
“Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth unless you want to lose your tongue.” The threat is calm and cold.
“Adrián,” Stefano chides. “Massimo will think we’re not truly friends.” He turns his black eyes on me. “It’s just his way,” he explains. “He has a reputation to uphold.”
Yes, I’ve heard about Adrián Rodríguez’s reputation for sadism and calculating cruelty. I don’t like having him so close to Evelyn, but as long as I remain in his favor, that fearsome reputation will provide protection for us both. No one crosses him, especially not this deep in his own territory.
“I have a lot of respect for you and your operation,” I tell him. “My associates and I chose to approach you and Stefano for this deal because we trust that you have the strength and resources to foster a profitable alliance. I came to Colombia because I would like to be your friend. We could make a lot of money together.”
Adrián considers me for a long moment, then gestures to a server. The man appears out of the shadows, waiting to see to his boss’ every need.
“Get my friends something to drink.” He issues the command lazily, as though he isn’t making a significant gesture.
With that one order, he’s accepting our alliance and cementing our deal. Gian, Enzo, and I now control the cocaine trafficking route from the source in Colombia to the European market. We’ll be richer than gods, and we’ll be powerful enough to eventually stage our coup back home.
I offer Adrián and Stefano a real, savage smile, not bothering to hide the triumph in my eyes. We all just became wealthier than we ever could’ve dreamed.
The server hurries off to fetch us something from the bar. I don’t care what it is; I’ll toast with whatever they chose to serve me.
The music stops abruptly, and the sudden silence immediately captures our attention. The bodyguard, Mateo, goes on high alert, his massive frame swelling as he looks for an encroaching threat to his boss. Stefano leans forward in his chair, his eyes raking over the crowd. Adrián remains relaxed, but there’s a predatory sharpness to his gaze as he assesses the club’s patrons.
I draw Evelyn closer to me, my fingers itching for the gun that isn’t holstered to my side. It would’ve been a death sentence to come to this meeting armed.
I scan the club for potential weapons. I’ll break a bottle if it comes to that, but it would be even better if I could acquire one of the automatic rifles that the guards at the door carry.
But I have to cover Evelyn. I can’t leave her to grab a gun.
Before I finish calculating my next move to protect her, a doughy man dressed in a suit that’s too small for him drags a struggling woman onto the stage. She’s dressed in only a white lace robe, the shape of her curvy, petite body clearly visible through the thin garment.
