by Stone, Piper
“Will do, boss.”
After they left, I poured a drink, returning to my position in front of the window. Our family had been betrayed before, the stupid bastards always thinking they had the upper hand. If Kostya was in business with the Maker, destroying the supply wasn’t in either of their best interests. Unless they had another ruse planned.
Or unless they planned on stealing the boat.
I took several sips, mulling over the possibilities.
One thing I knew without reservation, whatever was planned tonight was merely the beginning.
* * *
As midnight approached, I rolled into the harbor. The trip was well under the radar, the Picuda one of the finest boats used for the purpose of drug running. While I’d grown weary of the drug running operation, preferring our more legal activities, my father insisted that I take over. Now I knew why.
He wasn’t just preparing to retire.
He was preparing for the end of his days.
I should feel sad, but my father had lived his life as he’d seen fit. I only hoped that he could spend several months or years with my mother as she’d always wanted.
I eased out of the Maserati, sliding the Beretta into my waistband. Cordero knew exactly what I was attempting to do. If there was any issue on the water, he’d find out within seconds. Our two men were already positioned on the dock ready to receive the ton that was expected out of sight within two minutes. They were all well trained and knew their shit.
They also realized what betrayal would mean.
If Kostya was behind this, his expectations would be for two men, as well as the two crewmembers. They would be sitting ducks for a skilled marksman such as the Maker.
Cordero would have ordered a solid dozen of our other soldiers to position themselves around the dock, preparing to handle any contingencies. Including any interference from law enforcement.
My expectations?
That the Maker would arrive, attempting to take possession. The speed boat could outrun almost any other, all while remaining almost undetectable by radar. If my assumptions were correct, Kostya was in charge of a brand spanking new operation, one he believed could rival our family’s.
If I was right, the hijacking would take place the moment the boat was brought into the harbor.
I remained in the shadows, my vantage point capable of seeing the entire dock. While there hadn’t been any sign of unusual activity, the hairs stood up on the back of my neck. My instinct told me that I was right. Something was about to go down.
There were no calls, no warning signs. Merely quiet waters on a star-filled night.
At five minutes before midnight, I was able to pick up on the sounds of the Picuda coming into the harbor. There were no lights as required, the men having taken this particular trip on several occasions.
I moved out of the shadows, taking my time walking closer, jerking the Glock into both hands. There were two soldiers on the boat and as soon as the boat drew near the dock, he jumped off, preparing to tie it down.
And as I feared, all hell broke loose.
Gunshots came from two distinct directions, an attempt to create a melee of confusion.
To my soldiers’ credit, they stood their ground. The man from the boat was taken out almost immediately, the driver diving into the ocean.
As some were taken to their knees, a shadow came from behind a group of pallets. Dressed in black, the hijacker moved carefully toward the boat. I reacted, my training and skills coming into play as I moved toward him.
The gunshots continued, the hijacker forced to fire several times. He’d truly thought he could handle the situation. I took advantage of the surprise, moving to within shooting distance easily, taking aim.
Then the attacker realized he’d been compromised on two levels, swinging toward me out of instinct alone. The slip of moonlight allowed me to see his face. I’d been correct in my assumptions. The Maker.
As I pulled the trigger, I knew in my gut that Kostya had disappeared, merely setting up the moment of betrayal.
And I knew exactly who could help me hunting the fucker down.
And I would.
Crushing Kostya’s resolve.
Stripping him away from anything and everything he held precious.
And this time, he would die by my hands.
My way.
Chapter Five
Miguel
Rage.
That’s the only emotion I felt. I was well aware that I needed to maintain full control in order to ensure the decisions I made were calculated.
Right now, I didn’t give a shit.
I pressed my hand against my weapon, scanning the entire exterior of the exclusive club before walking in. At this point, I couldn’t be careful enough.
New York City.
It was a location I frankly loathed. Bright lights, Broadway shows, and exceptional food. That’s what the city was known for. Sadly, the often garish neon signs hid the underbelly of vicious crimes occurring on the streets.
Only some of the incidents related to mafia activities.
I came to New York as infrequently as possible, only once in the last year. This time, my trip was mandatory. That is if I wanted to find the fucker Kostya. He had indeed disappeared, all traces of him erased. It had become obvious he’d planned the coup months before, certain he would be successful. If I had to make another assumption, the ploy included stripping the boat of drugs long before it came into the harbor. The seed money from the drug run would be able to allow him a better life.
Or perhaps a takeover event.
Either way, I couldn’t allow him to live.
At least he’d failed in one regard. I’d been put on notice of his betrayal.
Every rock I’d turned over, every favor called in had proven futile. If anyone could find him without issue, it would be a member of the Sons of Darkness. I rolled my eyes at the name, uncertain any longer which of the five of us had coined the phrase. We were the five princes of the most powerful mafia families within the United States, men capable of exacting revenge as necessary.
However, our families were considered enemies, the old ways forbidding any form of shared communication, muscle, or information. We’d all agreed that the old ways weren’t working any longer, the need to maintain a sense of camaraderie vital in order to keep the peace.
No one wanted bloodshed unless absolutely necessary.
Things were different, new tactics needed in order to maintain our positions, increase our prosperity.
I strolled into the club, heading to the private room. My plane had arrived late, traffic a bitch as usual, but I was within ten minutes of the called meeting.
My call.
My meeting.
“There he is.” Dominick grinned as he glanced at his watch.
I nodded to Dominick, the Lugiano family holding all of New York in the palm of their hand. He was powerful in his own right, his father having turned over the majority of operations only months before. “Sorry I’m late.” The other three were seated at the round table, only Dominick remained standing. Antsy as usual.
Then again, so was I.
“He comes armed,” Lorenzo commented in a jesting manner.
I was in no mood for basic bullshit. I was here for a single night only.
“Necessary,” I hissed between clenched teeth.
Aleksei tapped his fingers on the table, his usual glass of vodka half empty. I suspected the drink wouldn’t be his last. “You seemed concerned, my friend. Your call unusual,” Aleksei said casually, his Russian accent thick as always.
Concerned? I was consumed with need, revenge the only thing on my mind. I came here specifically hoping Aleksei and his connections would be helpful in order to find Kostya. The Petrovs were true Bratva, their methods of keeping the peace resourceful.
And violent.
That’s exactly what I wanted.
“A lot of shit is going down, heat my family doesn’t need,” I said wit
h disdain in my voice. I heard the sound of the door opening, the waitress on cue, her timing impeccable. She knew exactly what drink every man preferred. While every other man admired her beauty, I could only see blood in my eyes. Once the Bombay and tonic was in my hand, the room secure once again, I shifted my glance to the others.
Michael Cappalini had recently taken over the Western portion of the United States. While I honestly didn’t believe he could be useful as far as information, he had scouts all over the country.
Lorenzo Francesco held Chicago with an iron fist, his father refusing to give up any concept of total control. They’d had several difficult situations over the years and the man’s muscle was impressive.
“You have a situation in Miami, one of your former colleagues attempting to not only hijack one of your shipments but potentially muscling in on your operation. Word on the street isn’t good.” Dominick kept his tone even as he spoke.
I wanted to laugh at the man’s resourcefulness but there was little occurring in the boughs of the underworld that either one of us weren’t aware of.
“Word travels fast.” I took a sip of the drink, my anger crouching just below the surface. “I admit that I need help at this point.” I noticed the looks shared between the men. I was one of the few men who’d never bothered to ask for anything, something I’d taken pride in. This situation was far too damning to ignore.
“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 Rivera 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 Valencia. 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 Valencia 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 Valencia 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. Valencia Rivera 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 Rivera 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 Rivera 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 Valencia once again.
This time, there was no question and there would be no hesitation.
She would belong to me.
* * *
I had a third row seat on the night of the concert, still in the shadows while able to watch Valencia perform. She was dressed in a beautiful long black dress, the lights shimmering over her raven-colored hair. Everyone in the audience was mesmerized by her musical skills and no doubt as well by her incredible beauty.
I’d never sat through a single musical event, unable to process the time needed. Business was always on my mind. Tonight, everything was different, an allowance to move into another world altogether. The quiet reverence as her fingers moved nimbly, the passion she exuded shining in every note she played was simply remarkable.
I wanted nothing more than to take her on this night, capturing both her innocence and resolve, making her mine. That would need to wait. I’d noticed her father in the audience, surrounded by at least four of his soldiers. Whether or not she believed that he had pride didn’t matter.
