“That’s all you understand, Miguel. Threats.”
He softened his expression. “That’s not a threat, my sweet girl. That’s a promise. You will learn one way or the other.”
Whoever had issued the contract on my life had disturbed him to the point he was shaking with anger. I wasn’t certain whether his emotional state was about my wellbeing or the fact someone had almost interfered with his ugly mission of keeping me his prisoner. Still, the way his chest rose and fell sent a flurry of butterflies into my tummy. Maybe he did care about me. Maybe there was a way to have a life.
“Where are you going?” I finally asked.
“There are some questions you won’t want to know the answer to.”
“What if I do? You act as if I’m not strong enough to handle the truth, yet you require my honesty. That’s not fair on several levels. I am fully aware that there are likely men from several countries who would enjoy bringing down my father, but even after two brutal assassination attempts, he never mentioned names. Perhaps he wanted to protect me or perhaps he didn’t think I was worthy of the information. If you want me to obey you then bring me into your world even just a little bit.”
Miguel glanced toward the bank of doors, his eyes darting back and forth. After slowly turning his head, he exhaled. “Fair enough, Valencia. One of the men I believe who attacked you has been located.”
“And what are you going to do?”
“I will do what’s necessary, Valencia. Trust me, little girl. You may call me a monster but there are others who are much nastier than I’ll ever be. No one will ever be able to hurt you again. They will face the consequences.”
Consequences.
He’d used the word several times, as if his honor was never to be challenged.
When he walked away, I knew in my gut that he was going to kill the man who’d accosted me.
The funny thing was that I was almost giddy inside at the thought, envisioning the various brutal acts that Miguel would impose, my mouth watering. Jesus. My hand was shaking, my heart racing. I wanted an act of retaliation. I needed to know the man would be punished.
What did that make me other than a monster?
Miguel
I was going to kill the asshole and I would enjoy every moment of making him suffer. No one ever hurt a woman, not for any fucking reason and the fact that she was my woman? Unacceptable on any level. I was thankful that Cordero drove. I knew that I wouldn’t mind running down a single person who got in my way.
I’d promised her protection, that she’d be safe with me. The conviction had been real, the truth might be something else altogether. I knew she would have a target on her back from several sources. My quick response would at least send out a direct warning.
Yeah, just like I thought would occur with Danton. Evidently, Santiago had a set of balls the size of cantaloupes. Or he was simply fucking arrogant and stupid.
Just the fact she’d limped into the kitchen and remembering the pained look on her face was enough. Realizing that she could have died by the bastard’s hands put me over the edge. I had to believe her that she knew little about her father’s enemies. Learning there had been attempts before brought even more complexity around the possibilities.
“You know I’d never try and tell you what to do, boss.”
I slowly turned my head in Cordero’s direction. “Go ahead.”
“Do you think killing Castillo is in our best interest? I mean, he does have connections and it might seem like you’re running scared.”
He’d never questioned me before, but he was right in doing so. This time. “Interesting thought, Cordero. We will see what Mr. Martinez has to say before I make my final decision.” Using Castillo could be in my best interest.
“Yes, boss. I’m just… I’m sorry.”
“You’re right to question.” There was something going on in the background, an attempt to take over more than just our shipments of party favors. I could smell blood in the water.
The SUV was barely stopped when I jumped out, taking long strides across the parking lot, never even acknowledging the bouncers standing guard at the club’s entrance. Sylvie had earned her weight in gold tonight, hunting down and securing the asshole without backup.
Then again, she was one kick-ass woman.
The heady drumbeats of the salsa music vibrated hard against the floor, swirling colors of the expansive lighting system jazzing the massive crowd. Everyone was in the mood to party.
My partying would be of an entirely different nature.
I was forced to push my way through, heading toward the bank of stairs leading to the offices on the second floor. What very few people knew is that I was part owner of the club, affording me various perks otherwise forbidden to the normal patron. No one was going to fuck with me tonight. They’d been warned.
I burst into the room, giving Sylvie a respectful nod. She’d called in reinforcements only after she had Castillo locked down. Cordero closed the door, remaining just inside the doorway. I took several deep breaths, pacing the floor with my hands on my hips.
Castillo remained quiet, although I could almost taste his fear. He’d been placed on his knees as I’d requested, his hands tied behind his back. He should have known better than to cross me. There were certain unwritten rules regarding poaching. While he was a hired gun, he’d developed his stellar reputation by being politically correct. The entire situation was… unnerving.
I allowed a few minutes to pass by as I contemplated how I wanted to handle this. Killing him would mean questions asked, putting our enemies on notice that I’d become unraveled. That wasn’t in my family’s best interest, but what the fuck did I really care?
“Miguel, I don’t know what you think I did,” Castillo finally said, arrogant as usual.
I held out my palm, refusing to answer him, the rage building even more.
“I wouldn’t cross you. I think you know that.” Castillo’s voice held no hint of discord, no acceptance of what he’d done.
My reaction was swift, my backhand hitting him square in the jaw, blood spewing from his mouth. I flexed my hand as two of the soldiers righted him, realizing he hadn’t made a sound from the direct blow.
“What I know you attempted to do was eliminate a life. What I will find out is on whose orders.” My words were sharp and laced with anger. I shot my head in his direction, studying his reaction.
Castillo looked from soldier to soldier before bothering to acknowledge my statement. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I swear to God.”
“Don’t tell me bullshit, Castillo. I’m not in the mood.”