Page 16 of Queen Of Diamonds
I got a report of her telling one of myfalconsto fuck off when he refused her entry to a club called Shwab’s.
This was followed by a barrage of texts accusing me of being behind it. Of course, it was me. She could go to any number of clubs but a select few, after proving that to her the day before she was now sending me a dozen texts about how I needed to stop sending her things. She needed to stop telling me what to fuck to do–but we could discuss that in person.
“No pointirmão. This is good. Just...” he trailed off, aiming a pointed look at Teddy.
I nodded and slipped into a mode of business. “I have twelve bundles separated into seven. We have eighty-four small deposits that need to be evenly disbursed into the accounts. Spread them out to people who are consistent in the amounts they put in and withdraw,” I directed at Teddy, who was already separating the cash into inconspicuous containers.
I wasn’t worried about him being robbed, no one was that fucking stupid. It was a precaution. Though the local law enforcement was headed by my aunt and full of our own people, there was always the cop who wanted to be a hero that slipped through the cracks, desperate to build a case that couldn’t be built. He’d eventually fuck up, disclose his identity, and be killed. Many had come before him, and many would follow.
Sometimes, I thought of letting them get to the finish line just to see what would happen.
How would they try and finally take not only my family, but every other corrupt family down in my motherfucking city? Seeing the bloodbath alone was almost worth it.
“Take a hitman with you,” I called after Teddy on his way out of my dining room.
“Now why the fuck did I get a call this morning that the Serban supply was two kilos short? Who the fuck let two––two––goddamn kilos vanish?”
“That would have been Joshua B-something.” Sergio was quick to reply, already working to remedy the situation.
“What kind of dumbfuck steals so much?” Elias laughed.
I ran a hand over my face. Why was recruitment such a pain in the ass?
“Is Diablo ready for us?”
“Yes,” they replied in unison.
“Good. One of you grab the camera and let’s go.”
I left the room and headed for the front door. Elias caught up with me just as I turned the handle, following me out.
“Say what you were going to say,” I said to him without pausing.
“What happens when everything comes to light? We both know she didn’t come back here to live the life of the rich and corrupt like the rest of us.”
“I think she came back at her grandmother’s request, and that’s where I’ve started for answers. Lucielle is a sneaky bitch and Elena is naïve. She doesn’t have the life experience to know better. But with that being said, she isn’t happy living with the grandmother or the uncle for a reason. I know it has to do with me. What they want exactly, who knows? I’ll figure it out. I have a few theories.”
“Are you going to tell me what they are?”
“No,” I grinned, climbing into one of the four UTV’s I had to drive across my property.
“I figured this would all be a grand pre-finale leading up to the game.”
“But what about you and her?”
“We will go through hell and see if she comes out the other side. If she doesn’t, she was never meant for this world to begin with.”
He nodded, but I knew he didn’t like my answer. That was the difference between us. Elias was much more empathetic. He was a cruel bastard just as I was, no doubt, but his moral account was a little more plusher than mine.
But he understood why this had to be done. He knew what else was at risk if it wasn’t. I still had a promise to uphold. I never gave my word and took it away. I couldn’t give much else.
Sergio climbed in the back of the UTV with a black duffel bag, and we traveled the long lane to the stables.
Horses grazed in the paddocks on either side, blissful in their protective bubbles.
The majestic creatures had always brought me an odd sense of peace. Often after a long few days, I would come and watch them for hours.
Arriving at the large three-tier building we bypassed the main entrance and the second, going all the way around to the back where a single door stood. The stables were designed to separate the warehouse portion from the rest.
