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And even though I knew allowing the repercussions for her actions to play out would solve most of my problems, I found myself standing in front of her.
I made myself a goddamn human shield.
For Adriana fucking Carrera.
“She doesn’t mean that.”
Adriana shoved her way around me. “Don’t answer for me like I don’t have a brain. I meant every word of it. He needs me, and he knows it. The three of you can stand around here congratulating yourselves on how big your dicks are, or you can go on the offensive and strike first. It’s your choice.”
If and when we made it back to Houston, I’d kill her myself.
Slowly.
“Val,” I started, raising a hand. “Call your driver. I’ll take care of this myself and make sure she never—”
“She’s right.”
“What?” I whipped my head around sure I’d heard him wrong.
“She’s right,” he repeated. “By the time I tracked this pinche cabrón down, the damage he might inflict on us could cripple our distribution channels and our infrastructure. We need to end him, and we need to do it now.”
Mateo raked a hand over his long hair and let out a harsh breath. “So, what do we do?”
Val never took his eyes off Adriana. “We strike first.”
Unbelievable.
Adriana managed to do something very few ever accomplished. She forced her way into the inner circle of two cartels and dragged me along with her. If she succeeded in drawing out the Muñoz organizer, my position within the cartel would be solidified.
If she failed…
Well, I didn’t care to think about that.
Adriana fought a smirk as she dipped her chin. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
A glint flashed in Val’s eyes. “Do you mean that?”
I didn’t like the way this conversation was going. Something felt off. Like a sizzle running along an invisible current. Adriana was too confident, and Val was too agreeable. A combination as natural as oil and water.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
“Muy bien. Then I want you to go to Guadalajara.”
“What?”
Val smiled. “This is where you heard this Ignacio name in the first place, yes?”
“Well, yes, but you can’t expect me to—”
“Good,” he said, cutting her off. “Then it’s settled. You’ll leave first thing in the morning. You grew up there. You know the area better than anyone. Find out what you can and report back.”
“What will walking into enemy territory prove? That I’m suicidal?”
“No, that you have no lingering Muñoz loyalty, and you’re completely invested in keeping the Carreras in power.”
I couldn’t blame him. It was a dick maneuver, but a shrewd one. Besides, at least with Adriana gone, I didn’t have the black cloud of her threat hanging over my head.
“Fine.” The word crawled out of her throat like a beast trying to claw free from her chest. Pushing past me, she stomped toward the front door. “Whatever it takes, brother.”
