“My father passed away when I was just a boy. When he died, so did the family business. After graduating from school, I reestablished the company. However, I couldn’t do it alone. Your father, Richard, was my right-hand man. He helped me get things going. Without him, it would’ve been very difficult. I feel that I still owe Richard for everything he did for me. I trust your father with my life—he’s a good man.” He continued, with a sly look on his face, “I’m sure you must possess some of his qualities.”
Dominic chuckled. “I’m very different from my father. We often don’t see eye to eye. I’m actually surprised; my dad’s never mentioned your name before, or the fact that he helped start up a pharmaceutical company. He isn’t a business man, and he certainly doesn’t know anything about the biotech field.” Pulling a resume from his bag, Dominic put it on the desk. “What exactly does the job entail?” This was unlike any interview he’d ever been on. Of course, most of his previous jobs were in restaurants, but still, this one was strange.
Salazar didn’t seem notice the resume; instead, his penetrating eyes focused on Dominic. After several awkward seconds, Salazar finally spoke. “I’m looking for someone with intelligence. Some general knowledge about the biotech field would be useful, but it’s not imperative. Most importantly, I want someone who is hardworking and loyal—loyal above all. Now that I’m getting older, I’ve been thinking a lot about the future. I would like to retire within the next couple of years. However, it’s vital that my business stay in the family. It was my father’s dying wish.”
Salazar turned and gazed out the window. “Unfortunately, I only have one daughter and there’s no way she can run the business. Quite frankly, I need someone stronger to take over. I need someone whom I can trust completely—someone I can groom to handle things the way I want them handled.”
Dominic wondered where Salazar was going with all of this. “I can understand that. Keeping a family-built business in the family is important.”
Nodding his head in agreement, Salazar said, “I’m glad you understand.”
“Where exactly do I fit in to all of this?” Dominic asked.
“What kind of jobs have you been considering?”
Realistically, he’d take anything at this point—there were so few companies out there that were hiring. But focusing on the interview at hand, Dominic answered, “Mostly accounting and purchasing.”
“Is making money important to you?” Salazar asked.
“I have a lot of student loans to pay back and I need to live—so money is important for my survival, but not for my lifestyle.” Dominic’s mind wandered back to the ninety thousand dollar salary that had been mentioned.
“I like making a lot of money,” Salazar said. “It allows me to do things that the average person can’t. I like being able to travel and help others by donating to various charities.”
“I would love to be able to travel someday.” After he saved his parents’ house. Perhaps he could even get Claire back. If it was money Claire was worried about, he could solve that problem with this job.
“What if I told you that I can make it happen, sooner than you think?”
“I like the sound of that.”
“I would like to offer you a job that will be very rewarding for the both of us. As a signing bonus, I’ll have all of your student loans paid in full.”
“That’s pretty impressive.” Especially considering his loans totaled about sixty grand.
“I will also guarantee your starting salary will be double what anyone else is willing to pay you.”
Dominic still didn’t actually know what the job was. “Sounds too good to be true, so what’s the catch?”
“I want you to take over the business, which means I’ll be training you for the next couple of years until you’re ready to do so. You’ll be at my beck-and-call, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It will be a demanding job.”
How in the world could this man possibly want Dominic to run his company? He was fresh out of college with no experience. Just because Salazar knew his parents? And if Salazar was really so intimate with his parents as he implied, then why hadn’t Dominic ever heard of him before? Why didn’t Salazar contact Dominic’s parents first? Why did his mom tell him not to go to this interview?
“I thought you said this is a family-run business and that you want to keep it in the family.”
Salazar uncrossed his legs and leaned forward on the desk. “Richard was once like a brother to me. Although we haven’t spoken in years, I still trust him. I have no living family, except my daughter. It seems natural that I turn to your family. There’s a level of trust with them that I don’t have with anyone else.”
“I’m honored you think I’m capable of running this place. However, I feel that I’m unjustly being offered the job. I really don’t have the experience to run a pharmaceutical company. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather offer the job to someone more qualified, or to your daughter? Then you would really be honoring your father’s wish to keep the business in the family.”
“Here’s the catch you were asking about. I’m a man of my word. I promised my father the day he died that I would keep the business in the family, and that’s what I intend to do. The only way I can make this happen is to have my daughter marry the person who takes over the company.”
Dominic had no idea what he meant.
Salazar clarified, “If you agree to take the job, you will also be agreeing to marry my daughter. Weren’t you saying that you wanted to get married and have kids? Now I’m making things simple for you—here is a job and a family.”
Dominic kept waiting for the punch line. Surely this was some sort of joke. When Salazar continued to look straight at him, Dominic finally said, “You’re serious?”
“Yes. What do you think?”
Still in disbelief, Dominic reiterated, “So, you’re offering me a job that pays off my loans, pays a salary I can’t get anywhere else, and I have to marry your daughter?”
“Yes.”
His mother obviously knew this man was crazy and couldn’t be taken seriously. “I’m honored that you’re offering me such a great opportunity with your company. No offense, but this is insane. Even though you knew my father, you don’t know me.”
“To be completely honest with you,” Salazar said, his voice harsh, “it’s not only that I trust your family, but I’ve done my research as well. I know a lot more about you than you realize. Four years ago, I began to think of retiring and started looking for an apprentice. I had someone research you—what type of a person you are, what sports you play, the foods you do and do not like, where you hang out, movies you saw, things you purchased, calls you made, friends you socialized with. Everything. They spoke with your teachers and friends. They followed you day and night. It was extensive. At the end, they determined what I already suspected—you have the characteristics I want from someone who’s going to run this business and marry my daughter. That, along with the fact that I trust your family, is how I chose you.”
Dominic froze. This man was crazy. It was imperative Dominic get away from him as soon as possible. “Mr. Salazar, thank you for your time. I don’t think this job is for me.” Dominic stood, ready to leave.
Salazar leaned back in his chair. “Where are you going?” he asked, his voice normal again.
Wanting to be as diplomatic as possible, Dominic answered, “My mother always says that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And this job sounds too good to be true.” Not to mention frightening and unrealistic.
“But you don’t know a thing about the job. Trust me, you’ll be earning your money.”
“Aside from the job, I’m not into arranged marriages. Thank you for your time.” Dominic turned and walked toward the door.
“So what, you’ll go be an accountant?” Salazar laughed. “Hope you have time to date, make enough to pay off your loans, and at some point, move out of your parents’ home?” Dominic stopped, but he didn’t l
ook back. Salazar continued, “Perhaps the biotech field isn’t for you—but accounting? If you could really have any job in the world, what would it be?”
“President of the United States,” Dominic whispered.
“Why?”
Turning around to face Salazar, Dominic said, “Because he’s the most powerful man in the world and I’d be a part of history.”
“You want power? You want to make a difference in the world?”
“Exactly.”
“What if that’s what I’m offering you?”
“But you’re not. Thanks again for your time.” Dominic reached for the doorknob.
“Your parents never mentioned the Ramon Salazar Cartel?”
Dominic halted, unsure how to respond. He knew nothing of cartels, except what he had seen in movies or on the news. But he knew that drug cartels were an evil you didn’t mess with.
Salazar continued, “I’m not going into any specifics with you now. All you need to know is that you’ll run a highly sophisticated and powerful business.”
Dominic’s hands shook. “I have no intention of doing anything illegal or going to jail.”
“I’ve taken great measures to ensure my protection. My safety and my daughter’s safety are my top priorities. You’ll be well protected. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“It’s a lot to take in right now. I mean, you’re asking a lot.” Dominic needed to get out of there safely and go to the police. Perhaps that wasn’t a good idea though. What if he was followed? Would someone hurt Dominic or his family if he turned Salazar in?
“No, I am offering you a lot,” Salazar said. “You know, when I first started my business, your father was running it with me. Richard was my right-hand man. Then, because he had a family, he was too afraid to continue and he wanted out. Now look at him, look at what he has . . . or doesn’t have. Because Richard was too afraid, he has nothing and I have everything. Which man will you choose to be? Will you follow in Richard’s footsteps and walk away? Or will you be man enough to step up to the plate—to take what is being offered, to have more and be more than you ever thought was humanly possible?”
“I can’t believe my father ever did anything like that in his life. He never breaks the law. It’s hard to fathom he was ever involved with drugs.” Dominic understood why his mother didn’t want him to come on this particular job interview. Marie knew Dominic would be tempted, and it would be hard to refuse Salazar.
Tempted, yes, he found the offer tempting. Of course he’d never actually accept the offer, he had to be realistic. Still, it was tempting—the money, the idea of living above the law, doing something secretive that no one else would know about—it was utterly intriguing.
Salazar stood and walked across the room. “I want you to go home and think about your options. Sleep on it. On Wednesday, come by my house for lunch. I’ll show you around and introduce you to my daughter. You two can talk and see if you hit it off. She’s intelligent and beautiful. What more can you ask for? You won’t be disappointed. I think that once you take the time to consider your future, and once you meet my daughter, you’ll accept my offer.”
A chill ran through Dominic’s body. Salazar admitted to knowing everything about him. Did that include his parents’ mortgage situation and Claire breaking up with him? Did Salazar have anything to do with either of those things? Because it sure felt like he was being pushed into a corner. If Salazar was capable of wielding that kind of power, Dominic couldn’t say no and expect to live. “Wednesday sounds good.” The words came out before he could even stop them.
“We’ll expect you at twelve. My receptionist will give you directions. Oh, and here’s the key to your new car.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ll need transportation to get home and for Wednesday.” Salazar smiled, dangling a key before Dominic.
Shaking his head, Dominic took the key to a Porsche.
“I hope you follow your dreams. You won’t be the President of the United States—but you’ll be just as powerful and have a lot more money.”
Brianna pushed open the door to The Law Offices of Eric Smith and Associates, heading straight to her boss’s office. Going to law school, she’d always dreamed of being a lawyer, fighting for the innocent person on trial for murder. Or perhaps defending a child from abusive parents. Now here she was, working to further Salazar’s agenda. Instead of protecting the innocent, she was helping the guilty. Not only that, but she was embedded in enemy territory. She should be okay—so long as no one discovered her true identity, which Salazar took great care in protecting.
She paused outside Steve’s office, taking a deep breath. Brianna would need to put on a good show in order to get what she wanted. Tossing her hair back and smiling slightly, she went inside.
Steve’s head snapped up. “Have you been in court all morning?” he asked.
“Yes, something unexpected came up.”
“Have a seat.” Steve motioned for her to sit in one of the chairs before his desk.
“Thanks.” Brianna sat, crossing her legs, her dress rising a little higher on her thighs. Steve came around in front of her, leaning against his desk. He was a good-looking man in his early fifties. From working on a couple of cases with him, Brianna knew he enjoyed flirting with women, and she found he was easily swayed when she encouraged him. The thought made her ill, he was practically the same age as her father. But Salazar insisted Brianna get to Hector, and she didn’t see any other way.
“What happened?” Steve asked.
Brianna tilted her head. “When I was at the courthouse, I received a call from our receptionist stating that Hector Esteban had been brought in and formally charged. Since I was there, I stepped in on behalf of the firm and represented him.”
Steve’s eyes widened. “Someone else should’ve handled Hector.”
Brianna knew what Steve wasn’t saying—that Hector was dangerous. She’d only been near Hector for a few moments, but she had sensed the animal in him. “High priority client,” she responded.
“But still, you are so new to this profession.” His jaw clenched.
“I actually enjoyed the process and would like the opportunity to see this case through.” He hesitated. She didn’t have the experience necessary to handle the case. Brianna slowly uncrossed her legs, and stood before Steve. “Can I please have the case?” She placed her hand on his shoulder, knowing any physical contact would help sway him.
“Hector is . . . well . . . he’s . . .” Steve seemed at a loss for words.
“Would it be better if you took the lead in the case and I work under you? That way you can teach me?”
Steve smiled. “That’s a good idea. I have a lot on my plate right now, but if we’re working together, I think I can manage.”
“Thank you.” Brianna pulled her hand away, wanting to distance herself from him.
“The arraignment will be coming up fast. Let’s go to dinner tonight. We’ll get caught up on the specifics.” Steven went back behind his desk, sitting down.
“I can’t make dinner,” Brianna said, “but I’ll be in first thing tomorrow. We can talk then.”
“Actually, I’ll be in late tomorrow. My daughter’s getting an award at school.” Steve shook his head. “My wife insists I go to the assembly. Be glad you don’t have kids.”
Brianna smiled and left. The idea of children sent her mind wandering. Did she want kids of her own? Growing up without a mother had been difficult. Would she know how to be a mom? Was she capable of being one? More importantly, would her father control her children’s lives the way he controlled hers? Would her father continue to contaminate everything he came into contact with? If this was the case, then she never wanted to have children. There was also the issue of her arranged marriage. If she was marrying a man she didn’t know, didn’t love, and perhaps didn’t even like, it wouldn’t be possible to have children. How could she have kids with a man she didn’t choose?
Her cell rang. See
ing it was Salazar, she immediately answered. Her father was livid because there was some hesitation from Dominic about taking the job. This was the first time Brianna heard his name—the name of her future husband. She didn’t realize Salazar was already in the process of recruiting him. Thank goodness there was some hesitation on Dominic’s part, perhaps this meant he was somewhat normal. Who, in their right mind, would work for her father? After several more minutes of Salazar’s ranting, he instructed Brianna on what to do in order to seal the deal.
She was disgusted after listening to her father’s plan. She knew he was using her and she was tired of being his puppet. If only she was free from him.
Standing in line at Starbucks, Matt spotted Chris sitting at a table off to the side. After getting his coffee, he took a seat at the empty table next to him. Matt put his leather briefcase on the ground, not watching while Chris furtively slid papers inside. Matt waited two minutes, then reached in and pulled out a folder.
Taking a sip of his coffee, Matt read through the material. The first sheet had a brief overview of Antonio Salazar. Salazar came to the U.S. from El Salvador when he was eight years old. His parents were killed in a car crash. Having no living relatives, Antonio was sent to live with a family friend, Phillip Shephard. Salazar’s parents left him a large sum of money in trust, all earned through a family business, and there were several documents backing it up. When Salazar turned eighteen, he received his full inheritance—thirty-four million dollars. He purchased a house in La Jolla along with several cars.
Matt turned the page. There were documents showing Salazar became a U.S. Citizen when he was twenty-one years old. There were also papers verifying he went to Bishops prep school, then on to UCSD, where he received a degree in biochemistry. Salazar was the founder and CEO of Austogen Pharmaceutical, a company working on a drug for lupus. Scanning further down, Matt read that Salazar donated hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to charity, and was actively involved with the community. The surveillance indicated Salazar was a model citizen, even friends with the mayor. On paper, it didn’t seem possible for Salazar to be running a drug cartel. He was as clean as a whistle—not a single traffic ticket.
The Power to See Page 4
