Page 27
“Maybe it’s time they learn the world doesn’t revolve around them.”
He chuckles humorlessly, trying to be nice. Not sure why, but it won’t work on me. He thinks because he runs a bigger empire than I do, that I’ll bend. I won’t.
“Could be,” he agrees, “But I’m not about to be the one who does, mostly because I don’t wish to deal with them.” Fucking shocking. Not.
“How about we leave that pleasure to me, then.” It’s more suggestion than question. They put their hands on Hester, and they won’t have them much longer. I don’t need Arturo’s permission to punish his nephews, but I’d rather not go to war with the Mexican cartels either.
He scoffs but doesn’t outright deny me. “I would not be a good uncle if I said yes.”
“And what about Roberto?” Crossing my arms, I remain silent, unbothered that simply saying his name might be considered a threat.
The thing about being the smaller organization is that I’ve spent millions gathering the most loyal and weaponized men I could on the West Coast. Most of them are former covert military and government employees, trained never to leave a trace of their presence. Hundreds of millions, if not billions, went into their training, and I reap the rewards of their expertise.
“That bastard.” Arturo spits on the ground like me saying his son's name is a curse. “What did he do now?” I see his man on the phone already, likely trying to figure out where the asshole is.
“Attacked an innocent woman who has shown nothing but kindness towards the children she interacts with at her library.” I know I don’t have to volunteer that much information, but if I want Roberto dealt with, invoking innocent lives is the way to do it. Arturo is a cold bastard, but he doesn’t touch women and children unless it’s to get to his enemies. It remains to be seen which one I am right now.
“Boss.” Z comes up behind me and whispers in my ear, “Kids are secure. Hester’s being watched. Don’t know if they’re Arturo’s men or the Santos brothers’.” Giving him a slight nod, he knows we’ll take care of them when the time is right.
“Think about it, Arturo. Go back home, enjoy your granddaughter’s celebration, and call me when you’ve made a decision.” Granting him the illusion of control is deceptive as fuck and might bite me in the ass, but I don’t care anymore. He’s treating me like a fucking chump. Something my father was, but I will never become.
He pretends to ponder my suggestion, then nods and calls out, “Cato, your woman, she is something special, isn’t she?” He poses it as a question, but the threat is unmistakable.
It’s difficult not to take the bait and unleash my rage. Instead, I flash him a half-smile and dip into the vehicle, instantly dialing Hester’s number as Zaiden gets behind the wheel.
“H-h-hello?” Her voice washes over me like a wave wiping out a beach—peaceful and destructive—because now, I’m angrier at the veiled threats leveled her way. “C-c-cato? Ar-are you th-th-there?”
I say nothing until Z leaves the parking lot. “I’m here, kitten. Just wanted to hear your voice.” She sighs softly, and I hear a door close through our connection. “How are you feeling?”
“S-s-s-sore.” I know her face is aflame with mortification.
“Good, means you’re still feeling me.” She garbles out a shocked sound but agrees. “Kids are spending tonight with Ma, so we have the house to ourselves.”
“Oh.”
I can only imagine the thoughts going through her mind.
“Hester?”
“Hmm?”
“I want to fuck you all night again. That pretty cunt up for it?” Z nearly chokes but quickly quiets when I shoot him a glare, his eyes on the road again.
“I-i-if th-that’s w-w-what y-you want.”
“You know exactly what I want, kitten; give it to me,” I growl, my dick pulsing with the need to be balls deep inside her greedy cunt again. She sucks the cum from my body as if she owns it. Fuck, she does.
“Yes, Daddy.” Her shy whisper makes me groan as a spurt of cum coats my throbbing head.
“Good girl, go back to work now, and I’ll be there to pick you up later.” She hangs up, likely unsure how to process the ease with which she says that to me. “One fucking word from you, and I’ll cut out your tongue,” I warn my oldest friend.
“I was only thinking that you’re going to break the poor girl.” Rolling my eyes at him, he smartly shuts up after that.
I don’t give Arturo much more thought as we head to visit the Santos brothers. Frankly, I don’t fucking care what the cartel boss thinks. These two targeted my woman because their fucking cousin decided to be a dumbass, which makes them dumbass squared in my mind. I’ve warned them once to fuck off; now they’ll learn why I’m top dog in Southern California.
“You sure you want to do this?” Z asks as we park in front of the restaurant these two pinheads sit around in all damn day.
“You need a break from the violence?”
