Sebastian
“You’ve provided me with excellent information recently, my friend, ensuring a firmer grip on my territory. I intend on returning the favor. Whatever you need, you can count on me.” Aleksei grinned, his eyes burning with a need to hunt.
“Your expertise is exactly what I hoped for.” I had to shut Kostya down within days or my reputation would take a hit, one that I couldn’t afford.
“You’re searching for a man named Kostya Mulin. Yes?” Aleksei asked as he swirled his drink.
“The very one. He betrayed my family,” I answered, moving closer to the window. The view of the city was spectacular, the city lights a reminder of my time spent in Cuba. I had to push aside any thoughts about my life, embracing the fact this business was far too important. My previous phone call to the Russian had been out of necessity, another favor I hoped would be granted.
“He is also Bratva.”
I heard Aleksei’s comment, knowing that it was a possibility. Still, I bristled hearing the words. “Who is he connected with?” My grip on the drink was firm enough I feared breaking the thin glass.
There was enough hesitation that I realized the various details had been captured, my instinct riding on high. I studied Aleksei’s face as he pushed a file across the table, much like I’d done when Michael had needed our help only months before. The truth was I only required confirmation of what I expected to find.
“Kostya is a bottom feeder, a player who works for the highest bidder, much like the Maker you gunned down. The man holding the cards that you seek is already on your radar.” Aleksei moved to a standing position, lifting his glass.
He waited until I’d opened the file before issuing another statement. I couldn’t help but chuckle. I’d been far too much of a fool. I should have been listening to my father all along. Instead, I’d longed for peace. There could be no peace with a man who had no adoration for his family.
“Santiago Garcia has no honor. His methods of doing business are indiscriminate, taking advantage of any weakness in the system.” Aleksei sighed after making the statement.
I tipped my head, studying Aleksei’s eyes. Santiago. The anger I felt suddenly produced a calm washing throughout my system. “The system,” I repeated.
“From what Aleksei has told us, Santiago played you. While I understand that this isn’t something you want to hear, you need to know what the man is capable of.” Dominick moved closer to the table.
Suddenly, the rage festering inside of me was overwhelming.
“Fuck this!” I said, smashing my hand against the hard wood. I’d never been a man to lose control, but this was too much to take. “Will you be able to find Kostya?”
Aleksei locked eyes with mine. “I can find anyone. However, you should know that Kostya was only a messenger, infiltrating your regime long before Santiago made his appearance. There may be others in your organization betraying you. What I have learned is that Santiago is much more powerful than you can understand.”
Betrayal. Every muscle remained tense. I closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths before flipping through the pictures, including one of Carmen. The photograph was of her on the beach, surrounded by friends, laughing. The way the light played against her hair, allowing shimmers of a hint of red that I hadn’t noticed was far too enticing. My cock began to throb even as my gut told me this was no family portrait. “How did you get these?”
“I have my sources,” Aleksei said quietly.
“How?” I snapped, staring the man down.
Exhaling, Aleksei fingered his glass. “You are well aware that I keep very close tabs on my operation, much like all of us are required to do. I heard his name through a source and wanted to know more.”
“Your people took this photograph?” I slid the picture of Carmen across the table.
“No. After I cornered a man who’d created an issue for my organization, he was very exhaustive in trying to save his life. He failed.”
I shook my head, forcing myself to look away. That meant Carmen was on several radars, her life in danger given her father’s business criteria. “Santiago played me.” As if repeating the words would make me feel any better.
“Very well,” Michael said in a hushed manner. “He has several connections throughout the country as well as Central and South America.”
Jesus Fucking Christ.
“You need to find a way to cut him off at the knees,” Dominick added.
I’d never been played for a fool. Until now. Evidently my threat hadn’t been taken seriously. The thought was as riveting as it was infuriating. I knew how to ruin the man’s life before dragging him straight into hell. I closed the file, pressing my hand on the top and rearing back. “If what you say is true, I know exactly how to deal with the man.”
“So, it’s true about your connection to Santiago’s daughter?” Lorenzo asked, his tone almost accusatory.
“A requirement of the deal I made with Santiago. One night only. Things have now changed.” I allowed my thoughts to drift to time spent in Cuba, trying to figure out how to get to her. She would be well protected at this point.
“Then you already know what you must do,” Michael said with no inflection in his voice. I was surprised that he was the one mimicking my thoughts.
“Absolutely.” I fisted my hand, my thoughts drifting to what would need to be done. There was no choice. “She is a weakness, although she is much more like her father’s prisoner than anything else.”
“The way of certain Latin men,” Lorenzo offered.
“Not my way.” I snapped my head in his direction, waiting until he held up his hands, taking a decided step backwards. “However, she now belongs to me.”
“I can help make it easy for you, my friend. My source was… invaluable given his life was at stake. Carmen Garcia is in the country. She will be performing a concert with the Miami Symphony Orchestra tomorrow night. She will also attend a fashion show in Miami in two days.” Aleksei leaned over the table. “Two chances to extract your prize.”
“With her father?” I asked, almost putting the plan into motion in my thoughts. A concert. My cock ached once again just thinking about her long fingers and luscious lips. For a few seconds, I allowed myself to imagine thrusting my cock deep inside her wet pussy.
“That wasn’t determined. That would be a brazen gesture on his part.” Aleksei was quite amused at the prospect.
“Santiago Garcia is a pompous asshole who believes there is no way that he or his… good fortune can be shaken.” I was seething more than I should.
“True enough,” Aleksei chortled.
“However, he is a smart man,” Michael added. “He could be using the invitation for his daughter to perform as a ruse for handling other business.”
His words sounded plausible. “Yes.”
“I will hunt down this Kostya and in turn, you will find out exactly how far reaching Santiago’s connections have gone. He will not move into my territory.”
While I knew that the Russian wasn’t threatening me, we all had the potential at losing respect as well a portion of our businesses. That wasn’t going to happen. Hearing she was going to be in Miami gave me several ideas, some darker than others.
“A man like Santiago Garcia I can handle. He will meet his maker if necessary.” My words were succinct. I wanted nothing more than to crush the man as well as his empire. Now I would have the opportunity. The pompous asshole would pay for his sins.
As well as his lies.
With flesh and blood.
“I believe we all agree,” Dominick stated, the other men nodding.
I lifted the glass as a toast, but all I could think about was tasting Carmen once again.
This time, there was no question and there would be no hesitation.
She would belong to me.