“That’s not a good idea.”
When I lifted my eyebrows, he looked away, mumbling under his breath, which is what he did when I pissed him off. “I thought you were going to tell me that. Then you definitely won’t like what I’m about to say.”
“Uh-oh. I think I need another drink.” He took long strides to the bar, guzzling directly out of the bottle before refilling his glass. He had a flair with all things, including his method of assassinations. Maybe it paid to have sex as often as I knew he had. Women seemed to fall all over him, likely given his olive skin and thick, long, dark hair. The man was in the wrong profession. He should have been a gigolo for wealthy older women.
“I might broker that deal myself and of course if I do, I’ll need someone by my side.”
He glared at me, swallowing hard. “Oh, no, you don’t. Just because I’m from Brazil doesn’t give you the right to get me to set foot in that place. You know what will happen?”
“You mean the price on your head?”
I couldn’t help but notice he’d paled. “You like playing with the devil, don’t you?” he asked. “And don’t be an asshole. I don’t have a price on my head. Except with one very nasty father. He didn’t like me very much.”
Chuckling, I was surprised to see he was green around the gills. “One day you’ll have to tell me what that bastard did to you for taking his precious daughter’s virginity.”
He shuddered visibly. “You don’t want to know.”
“No, you don’t want to tell me.”
After a few seconds, he looked me in the eyes. “You’re serious. Your father will fucking kill you.”
“I don’t give a fuck what my father thinks, Sanchez. Whatever is going on needs to end quickly. The DEA will be all over our asses permanently if they get wind of the damn Colombians rolling into town. That won’t bode well for anyone.”
“Yeah, I know. Let me see what I can find out first. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”
There was no such thing as luck in my world, only skill. The better man always took top dog position. “I need to find out what Roman knows.” I powered down the rest of my drink then whisked it across the bar before heading to the door.
“About this girl.”
“Don’t start with me, Sanchez.”
“You’re really getting married?”
“That’s what I hear.”
“Would there really be a war between the two families if you didn’t?” He trailed behind me, out of my office.
“It’s possible.”
“At least she’s a looker,” he said, moving out of arm’s reach.
I grabbed my sunglasses before heading out the front door. “That she is, my friend.”
“I’ll be interested to see if you can tame her.” He continued laughing as he headed toward the driver’s side of the Jeep.
I threw him a look and he grinned.
Taming her was the least of my objectives.
Breaking her was something else entirely.
And tonight, I would begin.
* * *
Giada
I stood on the balcony, staring out at the ocean waters, the waves rolling gently against the shore. The afternoon sun was dipping in the sky, providing a kaleidoscope of dazzling colors. The scene was ordinarily one that would take my breath away. Today it felt oppressive, as if the weight of the world had just been dropped on my shoulders. My chest remained tight, the fury I’d seen in his eyes spinning in my mind.