Page 38 of Lord of Vice
“Are you aware of a man named Emiliano Cabrera?”
“A former South American thug who overthrew at least two ruthless drug lords in Colombia and Brazil. I hear he chops up and grills his enemies, serving the delicacy to his buddies at dinner parties.” If the guy was an issue, I was surprised Diego hadn’t asked their birth father, the true king of the South American Cartel world to take the man and his regime to task. Maybe there was a story behind the reason why. It wasn’t my place to ask.
“Then you do know him. Yes, his reputation is savage. It would appear his star is on the rise, something we should all be concerned with.”
“And why is that?”
“Because he’s solely responsible for several hundred deaths in his own country and Texas. He uses a biker gang to distribute Gray Death.”
Now I pulled my feet off the desk, sitting up and taking more interest. “It’s already in Vegas.”
“LA as well. However powerful and deadly the drugs are, we also think he’s involved in something more… dangerous.”
“Such as?”
“I’d prefer to talk to you in person about it as well as a business opportunity. Would you be available tomorrow for a meeting?”
While it wasn’t unheard of for one crime syndicate to ask another for advice or even assistance, when it came out of the blue, that told me there was more to be concerned about. “I think I can arrange that.”
“How about somewhere around noon at your office?”
“That would also be fine. I’ll text you the address.”
“No need, Kraven. I know everything about you.”
Now that was unnerving. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” As I ended the call, I already didn’t like what my gut told me was about to happen. I had a very bad feeling the city was in for a bloody battle or worse.
What the fuck was going on?
I pulled up my laptop, using the internet instead of delving into using one of my dozens of reliable contacts or databases my corporation was attached to. I’d tried to keep up with cartels around the world more than anything because there’d been a huge uptick in them over the last few years. Not only with Gray Death but heroin, fentanyl, opioids. To the Mexicans and South Americans, drugs were the fastest way of churning out money.
I navigated to an online newspaper from the southern part of South America. While many of the communications had been taken over by cartels, the shit printed little more than worthless propaganda, the paper stood out for its accurate reporting.
The headlines were bold, images of horrific massacres a thing of the norm. While I only spoke passable Spanish, it would seem the various regimes were either succumbing to the bloodshed or growing in power. Plus, it seemed several were joining forces. I made a mental note to ask the Santos boys about that when theyarrived. I’d long ago heard the two countries were going to shape crime syndicates in the future.
Perhaps now was the time.
I flicked off the screen, realizing I shouldn’t be focusing on business in another country and wouldn’t, other than half the diamonds that I purchased were brought through the waters nearby. And some of the diamonds came from South America. Another puzzle that added to the stressful situation.
I drummed my fingers on my desk, my thoughts once again drifting to Penny. The fact she’d been right there, saving my life still weighed heavily on my mind. Perhaps the best thing to do was to spend some time with her, gaining her trust. I couldn’t afford to allow any aspect of my business or my life to be compromised.
As I headed out, I decided why not spend the day with my beautiful guest? She continually asked questions, so giving her a grand tour wasn’t a bad idea. I was smiling as I headed into the elevator, eager to see her flashing eyes once again.
Plus, if she was an innocent bystander and nothing more, perhaps she still knew more than she believed.
The entire time the elevator was heading to the top floor, my cock was throbbing. I was in a good mood, which was the opposite of what I normally felt when challenged or bothered. By the time the steel box made it to the top floor, I was chuckling from the various images of her distrust and defiance.
After pressing my hand against the keypad, I shook my head. She was a fireball wrapped in cheap clothing. I only hoped the items I’d had purchased for her had arrived. If not, there was going to be hell to pay.
As soon as I entered, I heard laughter, two voices and I was immediately on alert. I took long strides toward where I thought the sound was coming from, shocked when I noticed how casual my soldier was with my woman.
Yeah, so I was being possessive. Misha knew better than most that I was a private man, my possessions very important to me. They were both casual, Misha even pulling off his jacket and tie. Both he and Penny were chatting as if they were old friends, both ignoring my presence. And Remington did little more than lift his head.
“What the hell is going on here?” I realized I was barking, acting as if I owned both of them, but carelessness in actions is what got people killed.
Misha immediately stiffened. “I’m sorry, sir. Penny, I mean Ms. Valentine offered me coffee.”
“And you fucking accepted? You’re supposed to be on duty.” I was shocked at my intense reaction, the way I lunged toward him, grabbing him around the throat and slamming him not once but twice against the wall. Items clattered. Remington barked.